The End

I recently published my first edited book,  Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology ,  with  Small Harbor Publishing . It's an anthology of writing from  Literary Mama  staff over the past 20 years. It's a beautiful collection and I am proud of the writers and proud to share the book.  It seems a fitting moment, as I pondered sharing about the book here on the blog, to reflect on my life as a blogger, and acknowledge that it is time to officially end this blog.   I started blogging in about 2007, when my baby was learning to toddle, when I was learning how to be a mother and stepmother, when I was just starting to see my way as a writer. I needed it back then. I craved it. I had a variety of blog iterations--family, art, creativity, writing things I delved into. There's a freedom in blogging, a casualness, an easy familiarity that's lacking (for me anyway) in other kinds of writing. I loved blogging and the words came pouring out.  Ove...
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On Starting an Editorial Freelance Business


It's hard to imagine, but I've recently been talking with Cedar about college. He still has a few years to figure out which direction he wants to go and he isn't amped up yet. I, however, find myself very excited by all the prospects. We recently picked up a library book that offered to match your personality type to college majors. When we got home, I cracked open the book, while he headed off to text his friends. 

I took the test. It was not very in depth, but it turned out to be rather accurate when it indicated that my top two personality types are investigative and artistic. While I don't see myself becoming a biochemist, epidemiologist, or pharmacist (investigative careers), perhaps being a Legislator fits into this category. I am constantly learning and educating myself in this job. As a writer, I am definitely on the artistic path. 

As the years go by, I find that I am always reinventing myself, revising my focus, reframing the big picture. Yet it is always a version of things along those investigative and artistic lines: books, motherhood, writing, art, creation, travel, the natural world. I suppose by the time you are 46, you have some sense of who you are and who you aren't.

Lately I've been reimagining the broad strokes of my work life, and I've decided to wade into the world of freelance editing. With my many years of experience as an editor at Literary Mama, I believe I have the skills and knowledge to successfully help writers make their work come to life. I've joined the Editorial Freelancers Association which has a plethora of resources to help editors. To start, I'll be offering developmental editing, line editing, and sensitivity reading on creative nonfiction, memoir, essays, and fiction. 

The investigative and artistic personality types will keep driving me forward and I'll continue on as a Legislator and I'll keep cordoning off my writing hours. Now it's also time to veer slightly on the path and see what I can make happen as an editor. I'm excited by the prospect of reading people's work and providing feedback!

More details are up on my website, and I will post more here soon! 

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