Should I quit editing?

Day 9—When I had a work-related epiphany (but I'm still being smart about it!)

The desire to show up is strong. Yes, I’m channeling Yoda as I type this!

I had a chaotic and stressful morning.

Then I had a wonderful and chilled day with my oldest and bestest friend. Then a choatic and stressful evening.

So here I am, at 11PM, rushing to my laptop because, my Dear Reader, you have become a vital part of my day.

My makeup is still on, I have work tasks I should have completed, but here I am—making sure I squeeze in some writing for today.

Honestly, I can feel a transformation happening in the way I approach work. I am an editor and writing mentor for women writers who have something to say. I’m a book doula, manuscript doctor, and writer BFF.

But I can feel my focus shifting.

Rather than focusing on both the creative and critical, I can feel my energies shifting closer to ‘creative’.

Let me explain…

I work with a writer during several stages of their book development journey:

1. Inspiration

2. Planning

3. Drafting

4. Redrafting

5. Editing

6. Proofreading

7. Hype time (cheering them on as they push their book baby into the world!)

Now, I used to love the editing part. I got a lot of joy out of fixing up someone’s manuscript, adjusting the language, tweaking the story, coaching them through changes.

But, lately, I’m not getting the same amount of joy as I used to.

(And between you and me it pays the LEAST for the MOST amount of work)

When I take on an editing job, I have to switch my brain from the “Inspired Creative” to the “Critical Analyst”. But right now, I am THRIVING in a Creative space. I can feel the ideas flowing, not just for my own writing, but I now have floods of ideas for how to help women writers in the Inspiration, Planning, Drafting, Redrafting and Hype Time stages.

I have often said the headspace of a creative is addictive and, seriously, consider me hooked and looking for my next fix!

Now, I’m not saying I’m stopping editing right now; I have several projects lined up for 2025. But it is seriously making me reconsider how I show up in 2026.

Following the words of a wise friend (you know who you are), sometimes you have to drop a service if it’s not serving YOU.

So, let me focus on these 2025 projects and decide: is the Editing space serving me right now? Do I get that same buzz and high I get with all the other stages?

You’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

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This is Day 9 of my challenge to write every day for 30 days. No matter what. The aim is to break through my writer’s block, perfectionism, and procrastination. And I think… I think I’ve found my voice.