Editing
UPDATE: 12/31/09
So excited to update this page on the last day of 2009. One of my dearest clients (and friends), Carrie White, who I worked with for a couple of years as she wrote her incredible book, Upper Cut, has signed on with one of the most respected and successful literary agents in the business, Lynn Nesbitt. What a way to end the year!
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I have had the great fortune of working with some unbelievable writers, so unique and talented with voices that need to be heard. As much as I have learned from them, I am glad to hear that I have helped them in their process and provided (and continue to provide) the help and guidance that they need.
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“Chiwan is more than an editor and a teacher; he is a coach with intuitive wisdom. He is an ever-evolving example in his own writing. I trust his taste as much as his knowlege. He guided me to trust my voice by seeing his point. Rather than rely on him, he forced me to see my own work, my purpose, what I was writing and what I didn’t need to write. That is his gift: independence.”
Carrie White, Upper Cut
“I have had the tremendous good fortune of working with Chiwan on a number of my writing projects. He is a stellar editor, and my writing has blossomed under his direction. He has worked on my adult fiction, children’s fiction and poetry (and my successful application to an extremely competitive MFA writing program). His eye, and innate understanding of the rhythms and workings of any piece of writing, allow him to work across multiple genres with ease. He always finds the strengths of my voice and story and helps elevate them to clearer, more successful place. My writing is always better for having been under his eye and pen; he preserves the soul of a piece while making suggestions for form or style that help execute whatever I’m working on with added originality and integrity.
By working with Chiwan I have developed a voice and ear that helps me with whatever I’m writing. I always look forward to sharing my work with him because he has an eye that I trust and a personal body of work that I respect. I plan to work with him for my entire writing career, knowing that his wisdom and deftness as an editor and writer will always compliment and enrich my writing.”
Anya Yurchyshyn, Esquire Magazine
“Chiwan’s editing has allowed me to write without concern over the dreaded editing process. I finish a piece and I can let go of it while he does his magic. After a Chiwan edit I can confidently post my work on my blog and submit it for publication. He is a terrific editor. He streamlines my work without sacrificing my voice and always improves my work.”
Kate Daniels, Executive Editor, The WIP
“Chiwan was able to read one tiny piece of my writing and know exactly what I was capable of as a writer, it was much more than than I thought possible. Chi rocks.”
Devorie Franzwa-Moody
“I looked forward to meeting with Chi every week. He kept me on track with my screenplay and focused my intention. He always gently nudged me towards the heart of my story, the elements of it that moved me, and that invigorated me to simply tell it.”
Tara McVicar
“A master of molding the artist without taking over the art. A trusted guide who taught me how to follow my writing voice and my characters…”
Camille Radocchia Hecks
“I believe that I have the distinguished position of being the first person to pay Chi for his editing services. He really helped polish my book: Everybody Is Some Kind of Crazy. It was far and away the best money I ever spent on this book and Chi is the first person I will go to when I decide to finish it. I would, without any hesitation, credit him as my editor in the published work. He has great suggestions for stimulating the creative process, he keeps you on target with deadlines, he knows how to explain good writing and he makes it fun and enjoyable. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with him.”
Anne La Borde
“I met Chiwan Choi in 2002 while studying with Jack Grapes. I’ve always been a fan of his prose and poetry. I got to know Chiwan after he returned from NYU and now I think I’m his biggest fan (but don’t tell him I said so, okay). He’s proven to be a great editor with Wednesday and an outstanding teacher. I’m taking The Finishing School with him as I work my way through my novel, and I feel that Chiwan is helping me find my voice; he’s taking me where I don’t want to go: the depths of hell.”
Christina Kerr, TCG Studio
“Chi’s gift of poetry and deep listening makes him a wonderful editor. His lyrical almost mystical ability with words combined with his knowledge of structure and story flow were just what I needed for the next draft of a challenging screenplay.”
“The amazing thing to me about Chiwan is that he is able to put aside his considerable genius as a writer and to completly be an editor. He believes in my work more than I do at times, he finds value in words and themes I might have overlooked or dismissed, and he always manages to take the writing to new and magical places.”
Michelle Eikrem, Inertia Girl
“I heard about Chiwan at least a year before I met him. He was referred to as one of the “great writers” that had emerged from Jack Grapes’s class. From the first time I heard him read, I knew what all the fuss was about. I felt transported to his world. It only makes sense that this gifted writer became an editor and a teacher and I’m among the many that have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of his talents. Being under his tutelage is an honor and a pain in the ass because he pushes me out of my comfort zone to make me a better writer. He’s generous and nurturing, but more importantly he’s not afraid to tell me the hurtful truth. Chiwan has embarked on a whole new world as an editor and teacher. This is only the beginning. I’ll be able to say the I knew him when…”
Lisa Becker, author of the upcoming book, Blended
