December 28, 2007

Anne McDonald: Okies, let's get started. I'll open in prayer, go over protocol, and then introduce our professor for this evening 

Lord, thank You so much for Your love. For our opportunity to celebrate Your greatest gift—Jesus Christ. Please be with us tonight as we learn more about using our talents for You. Guide and guard our conversation. Especially bless our special guest as she shares her expertise, and bless each of our participants. In Jesus name, Amen 

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments and wait to be called on in turn. To keep us from stepping on each others' toes, please type ga when you have finished typing. ga = go ahead. 

Tonight, I'm privileged to introduce a multi-talented woman who not only knows how to put books into shape, but to get the word out on them. Please welcome Kathy Carlton Willis.

Kathy, welcome! 

* Annie leads the applause and turns the floor over to Kathy 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Thanks! It's a privilege to be here. 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, do you want to start by giving us a bit of your background?  

Kathy Carlton Willis: I love talking about our passion--we GET to "fiddle with words"

My background: I literally started by writing church bulletin articles-my husband is a pastor. A newspaper took notice-and hired me to write a column once a week. From that I started learning more about the art (I did take schooling for it a LONG time ago). 

I've enjoyed a variety of jobs in the field: copyeditor for newspaper, feature writer, magazine writer, grammar guru, ghostwriter, author, publicist and writer's coach…you name it! It's been a JOY to have such variety—I love being a freelancer and paying it forward to the industry—and I'm here to answer your questions and encourage you to hang with it! 

Anne McDonald: The floor is now open to questions. 

Anne McDonald: Kathy, what exactly does a book doctor do? 

Kathy Carlton Willis: A book doctor helps a writer whip his or her book into shape. It's in between a rewriter and a ghostwriter—helps an author know how to best set up the table of contents so it flows; often pieces together from the original manuscript like a quilt or puzzle until the book communicates clearly.

Dragon Riding Mouse: How should an author go about making sure they have enough self-confidence without becoming arrogant?