Episode 102: [Allison Lau] Memoir Writers, Don't Fear the Developmental Edit

Send us Fan MailElizabeth chats with Allison Lau, a ghostwriter and developmental editor for memoir and mission-driven nonfiction, about the memoir writing process and Allison’s love for helping writers discover their voice and the story that’s meant to be on the page. It’s a conversation that takes you deep into the memoir process and the value of inviting a developmental editor along with you. It’s a beneficial partnership for all writers to have a trustworthy set of eyes on your work. You can get so close and lost in your own work that you miss the details and pieces that connect with a reader. There’s no doubt it can feel incredibly scary to open yourself up to sharing your writing. Memoir, especially, is so deeply personal and it can take a lot to find someone you trust. After listening to this week’s episode, it just might be Allison Lau. You’ll find her to be so genuine and deeply passionate about the work she does. It’ll feel like you’re listening to a dear friend as you dive into her conversation with Elizabeth.If you aren’t familiar with the different types of editors, this is an opportunity to understand the role of a developmental editor in your writing journey. When you hire a developmental editor, you’re looking for someone who will help you mold and shape your story. It’s not the person pulling out the red pen to mark up every inch of your work. That would be your line editor and these days it’s usually not the red pen but comments in the margins on your Word doc. So, there’s really nothing to stress about when hiring a developmental editor. It’s someone who has your best interest at heart, and if you’re not feeling this then you’re not working with the right person. You want to feel like you’re sitting down with a dear friend. Your writing is important to you and finding someone who can help shape it into the best possible story for readers will be incredibly beneficial.  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.You can find us on Instagram.