Bring Your Story to Life
with Revision Support that Starts with You

Personalized coaching and editing for writers who are ready to turn their okay drafts into novels that work!

Feeling Stuck?

Revision is its own beast. It’s not just “polish up your draft and off you go,” it requires you to see your story through new eyes. To juggle pacing and tension and theme and character arc, all while holding onto the original spark that made you want to write it in the first place.

You want your novel to mean something. To move readers. To hold its own on the shelf next to the authors you admire. What you don't want is to find yourself knee-deep in color-coded notes, trying to figure out what's missing and just not seeing it.

Sometimes the smartest (and bravest!) thing to do is raise your hand and say, “I could use a bit of help here.”

That’s where I come in.

 

"The story I've loved in my head and heart is now on the page. What better accomplishment is there than that?
Thank you for helping make it happen!"  ~
Krista Lynn White

Hi, I’m Nita!

I’m a writer, certified book coach, and developmental editor. I work with writers who have completed drafts that are ready to be shaped into novels that work.

I’m here for you if:

  • You’re stuck in the weeds and can’t see the shape of your story
  • You want to bring more emotion to the page but don’t know how
  • Revising makes you feel overwhelmed and lost. Or worse, like chucking the entire thing into the "too hard" bin.

I'm a writer too, so I know how vulnerable this whole process feels and how deeply it matters to you. I also know how awesome it feels when you see the pieces of your story all start to come together!

My approach is collaborative and craft-focused. My goal is to help you feel seen, supported, inspired, and energized  as you raise the bar on your writing, and finish a novel you’ll be proud to share with the world.

 

Questions? Send them to me at NitaCollinsWriter@gmail.com

Nita Collins, fiction writing coach for novelists in revision.

“There’s nothing quite as motivating as knowing someone is on the other end of the line, waiting for your pages to pop into their inbox. Someone who isn’t just interested in the words on the page, but in YOU – the person with something to say.” ~Nita Collins

Coaching & Editing Services

Revision Roadmap

We’ll deconstruct your draft and use that information to build a custom revision roadmap as individual to your story vision as you are. You'll learn how to revise using your own manuscript as the textbook.

Classic Book Coaching

Regular deadlines, page-by-page feedback, and video calls to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and cheer you on. Great as a next step for writers in revision or anyone who thrives with structure, accountability, & on-going editorial support.

Clarity Call

On-demand video sessions for when you need to think out loud to someone who knows what questions to ask, when you need a brainstorming partner, a pep talk, help untangling a tricky plot knot, or any other writerly concern. Let's talk shop!

Developmental Editing

Thoughtful, honest, and encouraging feedback on full or partial drafts. I’ll highlight what’s working, what needs your attention, and offer suggestions on the most logical next steps.

Line Editing

Contact me!

Not sure what kind of support would suit you best?
Let's hop on a call and figure it out together

What happens on a Discovery Call?

A discovery call is a no-obligation 20-minute call to give us a chance to meet each other and talk about your story. It's completely pressure-free and comes with no obligation.

We'll have an open and friendly conversation about your goals and challenges, explore how I might be able to support you, and see if we would be a good fit to work together.

Contact me at Nitacollinswriter@gmail.com, or click the link below to schedule a chat via my on-line calendar.

Nita Collins, fiction writing coach for novelists in revision.

Kind Words from Clients

Nita gave me the tough love I needed in the gentlest of packages.

No question I had was too trivial or too difficult. A master listener, she stuck with me like a rock through a gamut of emotions until I fully understood her feedback. If you work with Nita, you’ll become a better writer.

Krista Lynn White, author

I'm thrilled with the suggestions she's made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger.

I met Nita by chance when we exchanged pages on the Women's Fiction Writers' Association website. Myself a long-time professional editor, I quickly realized I was in the hands of a naturally gifted editor by the type of feedback she was giving me. I immediately hired her to edit the rest of my book, and I'm thrilled with the suggestions she's made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger. I highly recommend Nita's editorial services.

Betsy Thorpe
Betsy Thorpe Literary Services

Nita Collins is everything I was looking for in a developmental editor.

Her reviews always arrive promptly and are very thorough and insightful, providing plenty of positive reinforcement along with gentle constructive criticism. She is very knowledgeable and backs up her recommendations with links to appropriate references. Never harsh or critical, she is, nonetheless, honest and does an excellent job of highlighting problems and making helpful suggestions for improvement. When my motivation starts to dwindle, Nita always inspires me to get back on track. She is warm and responsive, and I highly recommend Nita Collins without reservation, five stars!

Dr. Wendy Schaenen

I loved working with her!

Nita's insight on the writing process was very helpful. She showed me what my project needed, and gave me the extra push I needed to get back on track. I loved working with her. She’s positive and encouraging.

Kim Baccellia, author

I am so grateful for her skills in helping me hone the story I have to tell. 

I am so fortunate to have Nita as a critique partner. With her innate skill, she pointed out places where readers would benefit from being inside my character's head and heart. She also, in her inimitable way, affirmed the specific gifts I have in writing and firmly addressed the major fear and shortcoming that undermined my story and its ability to attract potential readers.

Lisa Bodenheim, author

Nita was an absolute joy to work with.

She was communicative, available, and willing to work around my schedule. Her feedback was thorough, insightful, clear, and delivered with just the right balance of kindness and brutal honesty. I can't recommend her highly enough!   

Natalie Dale, author

Her suggestions were delivered with kindness, encouragement, and enthusiasm.

Nita's developmental edit of the first thirty pages of my manuscript was extremely helpful. She provided insightful comments on the theme and other foundational elements as well as detailed line edits to highlight areas for improvement. Her suggestions were delivered with kindness, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I highly recommend her services. 

Cheryl Hystad

Nita has made me a better writer. Simple as that.

She’s brilliant at showing versus telling, is detail orientated but can still see the big picture. If this is your first book, or your fiftieth, you will become a better writer with Nita by your side.

Holly Kerr, author

She pushed me to think more deeply about the story I've written.

Nita's evaluation of my manuscript was empathetic and insightful. Her input was professional and constructive and it has consistently pushed me to think more deeply about the story I've written. I would be more than happy to work with her again and sincerely recommend her to anyone looking for an editor or writing coach.

Susan Morris

She helped me become a better novelist.

Nita's insightful feedback on my early chapters gave me a road map to follow as I revised the rest of my novel. Direct, encouraging, and always kind, she helped me become a better novelist.

Courtney Shosh, author

Nita's insights into my manuscript helped me to discover the way to break into the next round of revisions.

Her examples illustrated how subtle the difference between telling and showing can be, and her breakdown of the weaknesses in my manuscript into red, yellow, and green light issues will be my guide as I work to take my draft to the next level. Offered with kindness, humour, and tough love, Nita's comments and editor's letter have allowed me to see the possibilities of what my novel can become--published!

Melanie Marttila, author

A book coach provides the accountability, constructive feedback, questioning ear, and editorial support that writers NEED to do their best work.

Subscribe to More Than Words

As a thank you, I'll send you a free copy of the same revision checklist that I use with my editing clients!

I’m doing my best to follow Mary Oliver’s most excellent advice for living a life: “Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”

This blog is the “tell about it” part. 😊

You know, the sort of stuff we used to look forward to when we went down to the end of the driveway to check the mail to see if there’d be a letter from an old friend waiting inside?

You'll get craft tips; reflections on the writing life; updates on what's going on in my own personal writing life; the odd book review, recipe, or picture of whatever knitting or quilting project I'm working on.

Hit subscribe, then brew yourself a cup of tea and pull up a chair. The writing life can be lonely, so let’s tell our stories and keep each other company along the way.

I look forward to meeting you!

Nita

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