After 10 gloriously warm days with my family in Gulf Shores, Alabama for spring break, last night felt like a small gift. The air was warm and I could hear the birds singing through the screen door. The kitchen was clean and the kids were outside with their friends. I sat down at my computer with every intention of checking off a few lingering to-dos from the day’s list. But instead, I opened a manuscript I’d written in three sittings back in July. It was the first time I’d r

My former boss and I had a fantastic working relationship—built on trust, respect, and a shared appreciation for a well-timed joke. He valued my work, my perspective, and my commitment to the craft. One day, he walked over to my team with a piece of paper in his hands and announced that he was about to demonstrate my editing skills. He looked at me and said, “Hey, Fecher, can you edit this?” Then he glanced down at the document and ripped it clean in half. It was his playful

Over lunch, my mom recently asked me why I hired a book editor when I’ve been writing all my life. Her question caught me off guard, because I never thought of it that way. Yes, I’m experienced. But I’ve never published or distributed a press release, social post or corporate response without getting another set of eyes on what I’d written. And that’s after several rounds of self-editing to make sure what I submitted was as polished as possible. After years of writing and r