Why it feels harder than it needs to

The best writing advice I ever got didn’t come in the form of a clever line edit or a brilliant fix.

It came as an off-the-cuff remark from a self-deprecating editor I worked with–one that turned out to be strategy gold.

“If you assign the story right, you don’t even have to edit.”

What he meant was this: When there’s clarity from the start—about voice, intention, and what the story is really here to do–the writing does most of the heavy lifting.

That idea changed how I think about writing forever.

Because so much of what people experience as “bad writing” or a painful editing process isn’t about talent–it’s about starting without clarity. Around voice, intention, audience, and what the piece is really trying to do.

When those things aren’t clear, editing becomes exhausting. Pages of fix notes. Endless rewrites. Frustration on both sides.

But when the story is assigned right–when the writer knows what they’re saying and why–the work feels lighter. Stronger. More confident. Editing becomes refinement, not rescue.

This is the editorial strategy I bring to the authors and brands I work with.

People aren’t just producing pages. They’re writing with more clarity, more confidence, and far less anxiety. They know what they’re building. They’re excited about the work instead of bracing themselves against it. And they’re doing it in community, not isolation.

One of my clients, Julie, shared this after working together on her manuscript:

“Working with Cat was one of the most meaningful and grounding parts of writing this memoir. She saw the shape of my story when it still felt like scattered memories and raw emotion, and helped me find clarity in the chaos and confidence in my voice.

She never lost sight of the heart of the story–even when I struggled to hold it myself. What sets Cat apart is the balance she brings: compassion paired with honesty.

Cat challenged me when the narrative needed sharpening, encouraged me when doubt crept in, and anchored the work when it felt like too much.

I’m deeply grateful not just for her editorial expertise, but for the steadiness, insight, and humanity she brought to the journey. She was an essential part of this journey.”

That shift–from uncertainty to confidence, from overwhelm to momentum–is exactly why I love this work.

Writing doesn’t have to feel lonely.
Or heavy.
Or like something you dread opening.

With the right clarity and support, it can actually be fun. Invigorating and energizing.

P.S. If you’ve been craving more structure, confidence, and community around your writing, my next cohort is forming now. If it feels like the right fit, I’d love to have you join us.