I fail to recall the date, which makes me cringe because I’m the sort of person who would like to celebrate the precise day. I recall only that it was mid-May. I know because my junior year of college had just ended. I was staring at a wide open summer. Ambitious me, I planned to read. A lot. Besides that, I wasn’t quite sure.
I sure didn’t dream of starting a business.
I was leaning against the column of the staircase in the living room of my childhood home, the one that holds up the second-story balcony, the same balcony that I used to drape myself over, a la Juliet. Telling my parents about this book I was editing for a friend and how maybe kinda sorta that would be fun to do as a business someday, in the far, far future. Y’know, when I had my degree and had my feet under me doing whatever I would do with that piece of paper.
“Why not now?” My mother said it somehow both flippantly, like I was perfectly capable, and seriously, as in, “Really, daughter, do it.”
You have a dream, too, don’t you?
Maybe your dream looks a lot like mine did: start a business, support yourself doing what you love. Maybe you dream of becoming an entrepreneur, or writing that book you’ve always wanted to hold in your hands. Maybe you’re afraid to even put your writing dream into words, lest it become real or even scarier than it is now, silent and tucked close to your soul.
Take it from me, putting that dream into words definitely makes it become real and scarier than when it is safely silent and tucked close to your soul. But, really, friend, do it.
On that May day five years ago now, I did what any self-respecting twenty-year-old woman would do: I obeyed my mother.
I sat down at her computer (because using my own laptop seemed too scary), and I started the business that would launch my entrepreneurial journey.
In the years since, I’ve worked with about fifty authors, writers, and bloggers who are intent on making their dream come true of publishing that book, blog post, etc . Writers are the reason I wrote Write Well.
If you’re a writer, that means I wrote this book for you. This short ebook is designed to teach you the structure of writing so that you can get back to the real work: actual writing! But if you’re looking for something even more bite-sized than the ebook…
I’ve designed this resource, a free proofreading checklist, below specifically for you, too.
- What would happen if you never structured a sentence incorrectly again? (Unless you did so intentionally because knowing the rules means you get to break them!)
- How would your communication with your reader improve if you wielded commas confidently every single time?
- Would your book or blog be better if you omitted all unnecessary words? (Spoiler alert: Yes!)
The free checklist below will equip you to do all of the above and more.
This proofreading checklist was birthed out of seven of the main points I cover in Write Well. Go ahead, I wouldn’t mind at all if you printed that puppy, laminated it, and pinned it above your desk. Because on the journey to seeing our dreams come true, we’re all learning how to communicate better by connecting with our reader, aren’t we?
Really, friend, do it.
Get the Free Proofreading Checklist
Additional Resource
Let’s write well,
Rachelle
What Others are Saying
Working with Rachelle on my book was a wonderful experience. Rachelle has such a great eye for typos, inconsistencies, and grammar. She also has an understanding of historical romance and inspirational romance, which was a key factor when I was searching for an editor. I especially appreciate her turnaround time and sensitivity to my release schedule. She’s also a lovely person to work with!
When I approached Rachelle to work through my proposal with a fine tooth comb, along with a request for a super short turn around time, I had no idea how fast she would get the job done with such an attention to detail. Her editorial skills are superb. She is able to see those ornery little typos and spelling mistakes, along with picking up on consistency issues and addressing grammatical errors. In addition, she gracefully suggests phrasing changes and even puts in a note of encouragement here and there! I will be hiring Rachelle in the future and highly recommend her services!
Fast, yet thorough, Rachelle was quick in proofreading my manuscript without skimping on her work effort. She has a wonderful sense of rhythm in syntax, along with a sharp eye to catch grammatical mistakes and other details that could hinder the flow or clarity of a story. Her comments are a helpful balance of guiding questions and encouragement. She’s both talented in her work and kind in her communications, and I’d be happy to hire her again!
Working with Rachelle was a delight! Every writer needs an editor, and Rachelle noticed things I never would have seen and pointed them out in a professional yet friendly manner. I feel like my rough draft had turned into an almost-ready piece once she returned it.
Rachelle Rea Cobb does an outstanding job editing my editorial articles that are published in local newspapers. She is able to give honest edits, feedback and critiques that allows my message to my audience to be clear and motivating. She has the ability to understand what a writer desires to say and helps make it happen with her impressive skills.
Rachelle’s kind, sweet, and gentle personality, added to her professionalism, makes working with her a joyful experience. Her sharp eye is quick to spot those little mistakes that an author might miss or overlook. Her neat side notes/comments not only seek to correct, but to coach you so that you also understand the reasons behind them. Besides her amazing skills and principle to keeping to deadlines, her other ethics have two sweet and powerful objectives: to make your book shine, and to turn you into a better writer. I/my work can certainly testify to that.
Rachelle was invaluable in critiquing and editing my books. She was able to tell me, in terms I could understand, not just how to improve my book, but also my style. I know my future books will be better because of Rachelle.
Like many authors, my writing is a part of who I am, and trusting anyone with that is a nerve-racking experience. Yet Rachelle was the perfect mix of honest critique and authentic encouragement. I will be recommending her over and over!
Laying one’s manuscript before an editor can be nerve-racking––not unlike holding a cherished child up for inspection. Rachelle not only made the editing process painless; she made it enjoyable. I appreciate her expertise in line-by-line proofing as well as her ability to see the bigger picture. Her suggestions and comments have always been well thought out and have definitely improved the flow and sense of my novel. Rachelle has been wonderful and a joy to work with––professionalism with a personal touch!
Rachelle is a gift to the writing community. She edits with great attention to detail, answers any questions you may have, and offers suggestions to make your manuscript shine. She not only helps you grow as a writer, but also cheers you on as you share your story with the world. I highly recommend Rachelle's editing services, and I hope to work with her again soon.
Working with Rachelle was a complete blessing; her kindness and enthusiasm completely set me at ease.
- Rachelle provided editing services for my self-help book that I was preparing to relaunch. She completed a thorough review of my manuscript in a very reasonable amount of time. Hiring Rachelle allowed me to have a fresh set of eyes on my work and her suggested edits worked perfectly for me.
Rachelle was a joy to work with! As a new and upcoming author, it can be a struggle to find affordable editing services that deliver the quality you'd expect from a professional. But Rachelle did just that! I'm so thankful she was recommended to me. I felt totally comfortable handing my manuscript over to her. I will be recommending Rachelle's services to all my author friends!
It was a joy to work with Rachelle! She has a sharp eye for refining my sentences, maintaining my writing voice, and making the words in my book shine! I look forward to using Rachelle’s editing services in the future.
“It is a joy to work with Rachelle. Her skill and professionalism are top notch. I appreciate her attention not only to grammar, punctuation, and typos, but also to story details that weren’t consistent. Her eyes on my manuscript have definitely made it better than it was before. I highly recommend her work.”
It's been an amazing experience to have Rachelle work her magic on my blog posts. She refines my sentences and paragraphs into cohesive thoughts that are 10x better than before, and her feedback regarding intent and flow are invaluable! Already, Rachelle has saved me so much time editing my own work.
Gretchen LouiseMentoring Digital WordsmithsRachelle is one of those people that I always want to be the first to read every blog post I write, every email sequence I draft. Not only is she quick to graciously notify me of the typos or stylistic inconsistencies she finds, but she is kind enough to tell me when I could explain something better or make a sentence read more smoothly. And even though Rachelle knows the grammar rules, she knows there is always a time and place to break them. I'm grateful for her attention to detail and her friendly editing style!
Lena Goldfinchauthor of The Brides SeriesLooking for a short, pithy guide to writing well? Write Well offers practical advice on grammar, told in Rachelle's friendly, approachable voice. It's like having a best friend sit down with you to go over the basics.
Leslie L. McKeeEditorIf you're looking for quick and easy tips to correct and tighten your writing, then this is definitely a book for you to check out. It is a handy tool for writers of any level, from the novice blogger to the experienced, bestselling veteran. Cobb mixes humor with the (sometimes dry) rules of grammar, including the basic items every writer should keep in mind when trying to relate to their reader. Numerous examples and additional resources are included. (This is a useful book for fellow editors to have on their desk, too!)
Natasha Metzlerauthor and bloggerWrite Well is exactly what I have been needing to hone my grammar skills without stifling my creativity. Rachelle's straightforward and easy-to-understand style is perfect for my growth as a writer, and I'll also be using it as a tool in homeschooling my children!
Tessa Emily HallYA author, Jr. Agent at Hartline Literary, and YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YAAttention grammar-geeks and grammar-haters alike: Write Well is a new writing craft bookshelf necessity. Written in a humorous and conversational tone, this short yet insightful grammar guide will remind you of why mastering grammar is important, how you can use it to better relay your message, and it'll refresh your knowledge of the basic grammar skills you learned (and forgot) in school. Don't make your editor clean up your overuse of exclamation marks! Apply the grammar tips Rachelle covers in Write Well; trust me, your editor will thank you for your lack of comma splices.
V. Joy Palmerauthor of Love, Lace, and Minor AlterationsLooking for a grammar guide that doesn't fill your soul with dread? Look no further! Write Well: A Guide to Grammar is a wonderful tool for experienced authors and novice writers alike! Rachelle Rea Cobb seamlessly weaves the rules of grammar and humor together. Add Write Well: A Guide to Grammar to the top of your TBR pile!
Stephanie Morrillcreator of GoTeenWriters.com and author of The Lost Girl of Astor StreetThis handy book makes the rules of grammar accessible and enjoyable. If you're looking for a guide that can explain grammar to you in a clear, quick way, then Write Well is the one for you.
- Natasha Metzlerauthor and blogger
I was so pleased with Rachelle’s prompt service, her ability to help maintain my writing voice while polishing it up, and her uplifting and encouraging spirit. Definitely an editor worthy of her title. I will be using her services again.
Rachelle has a sharp eye and kind heart, which makes her an excellent proofreader. She was very easy to work with and met our tight deadline with no problems. Next time we need proofreading, we’ll definitely ask Rachelle!
I’m so blessed to have worked with Rachelle! Her education shines in the way she combed through my story with care. Rachelle expertly balances critique with encouragement in a way that shows her heart for writers…and their future readers. Her engagement in my character’s lives and plight was only a testament of her commitment to the projects she takes on. Having her eyes on my manuscript not only gave me great ideas for sharpening up the details, but it also spurred me forward.
I loved working with Rachelle. She was sharp, fast, clear in her notes, and covered everything from little typos to bigger issues that would have been seriously embarrassing had we missed them and gone to print. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be using her editorial expertise on my next project.
Rachelle's attention to detail combined with her friendly writing voice make Write Well a grammar guide that is actually fun to read! Short and sweet, Write Well will equip you with the knowledge you need in language you can understand. From commas to em dashes, Rachelle doesn't just tell you what they are for---like any good writer, she shows you how to (and how not to) use them.
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