Manuscript Consultation & Editing Services

Are you a photographer of thoughts? Would you like your pictures to be sharper?

Manuscript Consultations, Developmental Editing, Copy Editing,

Proofreading, and Answers to Your Questions  

“I thought you’d like to know that “Two Poppins Lane” has been chosen as a top pick in the Killer Nashville Claymore Awards for best first 50 pages of an unpublished manuscript. I figured you’d be glad to hear the good news since you helped me so much on my novel.”    ~~Pat Roehner

B. Lynn Goodwin is an encouraging and effective mentor. Her comments challenged me to improve my writing and go deeper into each scene. Anyone working on an ongoing manuscript would benefit from her guidance. -Renee C., Hicksville NY 

Have a story you’re struggling to draft? We can help you plan how to approach it and keep you accountable. 

Struggling with killing your darlings. I can identify the parts you should cut and explain why. 

We also assist with queries and pitches. Write me for information using the contact box on the home page, www.writeradvice.com. Scroll down.

Some Authors I’ve Worked With Who’ve Been Published Recently:

Roger M. Hughes, That Which Cannot Be Denied (Koehler Books)

Diane Pomerantz, Lost in the Reflecting Pool (SheWrites Press)

Nori Jabba, Keeping Your Seat at the Table (1st World Publishing)

Barbara Kazden, Oh! I’m a Widow (Culicidae Press)

Bromme Cole, When Soft Voices Die (recently won the 2023 IML Publications fiction award)

Pat Roehner, who’s comment is at the top of the page and many more over the years

 

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Whether you’re uncertain how to start, half-way through, ready for a developmental edit, ready for a line edit, or seeking support in some other way, we’d like to advise you –especially if your manuscript and our interests match.

• Do you need to know what is and isn’t working in your writing?
• Do you have specific questions?
• Do you want to know whether characters are believable?
• Do you wonder if the plot moves too quickly or too slowly?
• Do you need help to trim the wordiness from your work?
• Do you have concerns about your pace, your theme, the rhythm, or your use of language?
• Is English your second or third language?
• Or do you need someone to brainstorm with?

“If you are motivated and serious about your writing, Lynn Goodwin just may be a perfect match for you. She was always available if I had questions, she made great suggestions and her feedback was always given in such a way that I never felt embarrassed about my writing. She understood me and my needs and was very responsive.” -Debra R., Media PA

Is Writer Advice’s Manuscript Consultation Service Right for You?  Let’s find out.

E-mail a sample of your manuscript. The first 500 words works best. Send the e-mail to Lgood67334@comcast.net and put Manuscript Consultation Request in the subject box.

I’ll read your work and answer your questions, tell you what’s already working, and offer some suggestions. If I can’t help you, I can often suggest someone better suited to your needs.

Fees:

I usually charge a flat fee for both developmental and line edits. Before determining the fee, I need to see a brief sample of your work, and I need to know how many words (not pages) are in the manuscript. My fees are  reasonable, and my work is quite detailed. 

We can always work out a payment schedule if you need one. Write me for details.

The endorsements below will tell you how people feel about our work. Let us help you develop and polish your fiction, memoir, story, personal essay, or opinion piece. 

Editing Endorsements:

B. Lynn Goodwin knows how to offer suggestions to make your writing say what you want it to say. She teaches you to delve deeply into your character’s motives so you write more purposely. Taking her course was well worth the time and money. —Susan H., College Station TX

B. Lynn Goodwin is a wonderful writing instructor who offers a positive approach. She has great insight, helpful writing suggestions, and the understanding and creativity to help make writing material better. I’d take her Independent Course again in a heartbeat. —Judy W., Studio City CA

B. Lynn Goodwin is an encouraging and effective mentor. Her comments challenged me to improve my writing and go deeper into each scene. Anyone working on an ongoing manuscript would benefit from her guidance. —Renee C., Hicksville NY

B. Lynn Goodwin is great at giving what is needed! …very accessible, responsive and supportive… suggests readings that are appropriate to your needs. I keep coming back to work with Lynn because she keeps me going on my project! [she] has been a wonderful inspiration. — Diane P., Pikesville MD

B. Lynn Goodwin has been very supportive and I feel as if my writing is improving significantly with her help and encouragement… I have been enjoying working with Lynn tremendously… I feel as if she has become my Muse 🙂 — Diane P., Pikesville MD

“I could’ve never done my outreach letter without you.  Thank you for your services!”
Tyaga Hebel, author of ‘Finding Marisol,’ a memoir-in-the-making.

“I wanted to tell you again…thank you. I took a course from you on how to write a query…. You were so kind, gentle, encouraging and met me where I was on that journey…. I was going to get a quote from a well known author and thought maybe I could get the quote by only sending her the query letter that I had used to find a publisher. She ended up wanting to read the book before giving me a quote but commented on the outstanding query letter. That compliment goes to you. Thank you. I don’t know if you realize the difference you make…or at least made for me.” -Cinda Brooks, author of Heart Prints of Africa

“B. Lynn Goodwin is great at giving what is needed! …very accessible, responsive and supportive… suggests readings that are appropriate to your needs. I keep coming back to work with Lynn because she keeps me going on my project! [she] has been a wonderful inspiration.” – Diane P., Pikesville MD

“I really felt I grew in my understanding of how to edit and possibly get an article published. Lynn Goodwin’s encouragement was amazing and very uplifting. It made me want to continue to strive to become a better writer.” -Mary Anne D., Riverhead NY

“My expectations were 1) to start writing anything, 2) to focus more onto one subject, and 3) to develop a theme and storyline. They are sequential for the most part. I got started, and developed some focus, but the potential storylines are still in glamourous thought impeded by many years of daily chores and procrastination. B. Lynn Goodwin was helpful in getting through some of that…She is great at starting with you where you are at and proceeding forward.” -Susan P., Grangeville ID

“B. Lynn Goodwin is the best writing instructor I have ever had. She has guided me through this journey with ease.” -Anthony F., Danville CA

“I found your comments both challenging and encouraging, and that is exactly the kind of response a writer seeks. You have given me plenty to think about as I read and edit.” – Jeff Hampton, author of the manuscript, Aransas Morning

“Your mastery of language and thoroughness was so much more than I expected. I appreciated your insightful suggestions and comments. You are a writing treasure.” ~~Bobbie Marie, short story

“I can see how much thought and insight you have put into the ms and I am extremely pleased with your efforts.” ~~Janelle Kimball, memoir

“…your comments about asking myself questions were very helpful. When I got stuck I’d ask myself what would Lynn tell me?” ~~Linda Powell, thesis

“I really enjoy your editing. It is gentle, kind, and positive while asking important questions of the writer aiming always at bring out more precision and focus.” ~~Elizabeth Moreskine, poet

“Lynn thank you for your intuitiveness, understanding, encouragement and honest and positive feedback.” ~~Cheryl Wright, columnist for the Trinidad Guardian

“I wish I had an English teacher like you in high school, you make everything so clear.” ~~Amanda Wucherer, novel manuscript

 

Who Offers This Service?

B. Lynn Goodwin owns and edits Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. She wrote three award-winning books, a YA called Talent, and a memoir titled Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. Her newest book, Disrupted, came out on January 25^th, 2024 and she hopes you’ll read it or gift it or both.

You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers is still available as a flip book. 

Her work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Small Press Review, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, Caregiver Village, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com and elsewhere. Her flash fiction is published in Flashquake, Nebo, Cabinet of Heed, Murmur of Words, 100-Word Stories, Ariel’s Dream, and Writing in a Woman’s Voice.

She is a reviewer, teacher, and board member at Story Circle Network, she’s on the board at the Women’s National Book Association–San Francisco Chapter and she is a manuscript coach here at Writer Advice. She’s also a member of the California Writers Club and the International Women’s Writing Guild. Lately she’s spent a lot of time reading and reviewing.

Let her help you with your writing needs, whether you just need information or you’re ready for editing.