I love commas.

And conjunctions.

And semicolons.

I am a grammar nerd.

As an editor, I “fix” other people’s work. I add, delete, insert, cut, strike out, and transition paragraphs, sentences, and words. I format, proofread, rewrite, reorganize, and edit, edit, edit. I know the correct usage of punctuation, what subjunctive mood is, how to detect passive voice, and when to use a comma, semicolon, or colon.

But as much as I love grammar, formatting, and writing … I love people more.

Writers, specifically.

I love encouraging writers on their publishing journey. Helping them putting together the best, most well-written manuscript and proposal.

I love helping them SHINE.

To be honest, it’s not always easy or comfortable or time efficient. Most of the time, writers have to bare their soul—to me and on the typed page. They have to become vulnerable to get at the real story. Transparent. Authentic. They have to fight me for every beloved word that I, as an editor, want to strike from their manuscript. They have to be pushed by me to write more, be more, shine more.

The writer-editor relationship is difficult. It’s a love-hate partnership. But it’s also wonderful, because in the end, after the tears and crumbled typed pages, the writers SHINE.

My good friend and talented writer Adelle Gabrielson is writing about being SHINY this month on her blog. What does SHINE even mean?

To illuminate. To lighten, or brighten. To add light, shine, glow.

Adelle says, “Being shiny isn’t about being happy and perfect all the time. It’s about telling the truth, and when we tell the truth, we light the path for someone else.”

I help light the path—through grammar and formatting query letters, manuscripts, and book proposals—for writers to SHINE.

How do you SHINE? How do you light the path for someone else? Who needs your glow today?

I encourage you to join Adelle for “31 Days to Shine.”

Go … be SHINY!

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