Kia ora,
If I could sit with you and talk about your manuscript, here’s what I’d say:
First, congratulations on writing a whole damn book! That’s huge. The hardest part, in my opinion, is DONE. But that doesn’t mean you’re done-done. Getting the story out is just the first stage. But that’s okay. Publishing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Second, get really focussed on your why. Why you’re telling this story, why you went on this trip, why you want others to read about it. And let’s throw in a what: what you want readers to take away from your story.
Knowing your why (and what) helps you refine your story as you work through your drafts. That funny anecdote that diverts too much page time from your core story might be better off as a hook for a newsletter or interview. Keeping your focus tight on your why helps you choose which parts of your adventure should stay in your story.
Third, take your time. Really. There’s no need to rush the publishing process. Take the time to revise on your own. Take the time to mull over comments from beta readers, friends, and editors. Rushed writing comes through on the page and readers will pick up on it. Having a publishing plan/roadmap is a great idea, but do give yourself wriggle room. And thinking space. And walking breaks. It’s all in service to the story!
Have fun, and happy writing!
Cheers,
Deborah
PS: The 2026 Banff Mountain Book Competition is open for entries! Looking for inspiration (or your next read)? Check out the 2025 winners.
PPS. Did you catch my new blog post last week? It’s about timeline nudges and how they can muddle your narrative. This is a good one for writers who are refining their stories at the sentence level, and it’s a good one for showing how small changes make a big difference to your story.
📚 What I’m reading
I finished Our home in Myanmar: Four years in Yangon, by Jessica Mudditt. What an amazing experience Jess had being a journalist in Myanmar during such a period of change for the country. Definitely recommend!
I’m ploughing on with The epic city: the world on the streets of Calcutta, by Kushanava Choudhry.
📅 Availability
I have spaces available from April. Get in touch if you want a sample edit so you can see what editing can do for your story.
✍️ Ways to work with me
Read the Base Camp Writing blog
Check out my self-publishing guides
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Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 