The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing

Holly Totten: Books Editing Expert
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Your story deserves to be told in your voice, not someone else's. The Edit is the podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, memoirists, and business owners who want to write a book that sounds unmistakably like them. Hosted by nonfiction editor and writing coach Holly Totten, this show explores the space between first draft and final version—the messy, magical middle where clarity, confidence, and authentic storytelling are shaped. If you have ever worried that working with an editor or following conventional writing advice will strip away your personality, flatten your tone, or turn your unique perspective into something forgettable and generic, you have come to the right place. Holly believes that editing is not about making you sound like everyone else. It is about helping you sound more like you, only clearer, tighter, and more powerful. This podcast is not a grammar lecture. It is not a list of rigid rules or a formula for writing what sells. Instead, each episode blends practical, actionable guidance with honest, unscripted conversations about the real struggles writers face: overwhelm, self-doubt, messy drafts, imposter syndrome, and the fear of putting your work out into the world. You will hear from fellow writers navigating the same challenges, and you will leave with tools you can use immediately. Holly brings years of experience as a nonfiction editor and writing coach, but she does not pretend to have all the answers. What she offers is a philosophy: your voice is not a problem to be fixed. It is the entire point. Editing should uncover what is already brilliant, not sand it down until nothing recognizable remains. Across every episode, The Edit covers topics that matter to real writers, including: How to self-edit without deleting your voice or second-guessing every sentence. The difference between developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading—and which ones you actually need. Memoir writing prompts that actually uncover your story instead of forcing you into someone else's template. Self-publishing versus traditional publishing: how to choose what is right for your book and your goals. Working with an editor as a creative partner and collaborator, not a critic or gatekeeper. Overcoming perfectionism, finishing your messy first draft, and learning to trust your instincts. Protecting vulnerable, honest moments in your writing from the "Should Monster" that tells you to play it safe. Practical strategies for line-level polishing that sharpen your prose without losing your rhythm. How to record yourself reading your work aloud as a voice check—and why that single habit transforms everything. Whether you are writing a memoir about a difficult season of life, a nonfiction business book to grow your authority, a self-published guide to share your hard-won expertise, or simply gathering notes and ideas for a future project, The Edit meets you exactly where you are. Messy first draft? Half-finished chapter? A notebook full of scribbled ideas and no clear path forward? You belong here. This podcast is for anyone who has ever finished an editing session and thought, "That doesn't even sound like me anymore." It is for writers who refuse to sound like a LinkedIn post, a textbook, or a bland bestseller clone. It is for the entrepreneur who knows they have a book inside them but is terrified of losing their authentic voice along the way. Because here is the truth Holly wants you to remember: your story without your voice is only words. But your story with your voice? That is something the world desperately needs. New episodes typically release weekly. Subscribe now and stop writing like someone else. Start writing like you.

  1. 1d ago

    How To Turn Your Stories Into A Book

    You have the stories. You've started getting them on the page. You've thought about what your story is really about, why it matters, and which pieces actually belong. Now what? In this final episode of my series on getting started writing your story, we're bringing everything together and talking about how those individual memories, experiences, and ideas can begin taking shape as a book. I'll walk you through a simple, practical process for gathering what you've written, looking for connections and common threads, grouping stories that belong together, identifying missing pieces, and creating a working map for your book. And no, I'm not talking about creating a complicated outline or figuring out every chapter before you write another word. Your working map is just that—working. It should give you direction without taking away your freedom to discover your story as you write. In this episode, we talk about: • How to gather everything you've written and see what you actually have • Finding the connections and threads between your stories • Thinking about your book in terms of a beginning, middle, and end • Why "What does my reader need to know next?" is different from "What happened next?" • How to identify the missing pieces in your story • Creating a flexible working map for your book • Why you don't have to write your book in order • How planning can become another form of procrastination • What to do next so you keep writing instead of getting stuck in the planning stage We also come full circle to Jackson, the listener whose question started this entire series. He wanted to tell his story but couldn't figure out how to get anything on the page. That question became a series because I knew he wasn't the only one. If you've followed along, I hope you've learned something even more important than how to plan a book: You know how to begin. And before this episode ends, I have a big announcement about what's coming next for The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing. I'm introducing a brand-new segment called No Editing Required—real people sharing real stories in their own words. Because your story doesn't have to be polished to matter. Keep writing. Keep telling your stories. And most importantly, remember: Your story without your voice is only words. Connect with Holly at writelynotable@gmail.com https://www.writelynotable.com

    How To Turn Your Stories Into A Book

  2. Sep 30

    How To Decide What Belongs In Your Book (and What Doesn't)

    How do you decide which stories belong in your book—and which ones don't? When you're writing your own story, everything can start to feel important. The people. The memories. The conversations. The backstory. But your life is bigger than your book, and not every meaningful memory belongs in the story you're telling. In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, Holly shares practical ways to decide what stays, what goes, and what might simply belong somewhere else. You'll learn how to: • Give every story or scene a "job" • Decide whether a memory moves your story forward or takes your reader deeper • Separate necessary information from everything you know • Recognize when backstory is helping—or taking over • Use the "thread test" to decide whether something belongs • Create a "Not This Book" file for stories you aren't ready to use • Understand the difference between writing something and deciding to publish it Most importantly, you'll learn why leaving something out doesn't mean the story doesn't matter. You aren't trying to tell everything. You're trying to tell the right things well. And sometimes, one of the most important decisions a writer makes is knowing what not to include. Connect with Holly at  https://www.writelynotable.com  writelynotable@gmail.com

    How To Decide What Belongs In Your Book (and What Doesn't)

  3. Sep 4

    Why Should I Tell My Story? 7 Reasons Your Story Matters

    Why should you tell your story? Not how do you write it. Not where do you begin. But why does your story need to be told in the first place? After three different listeners asked me essentially that same question, I decided it was worth interrupting our current series on writing your story to answer it. Because before you worry about the blank page, remembering every detail, or figuring out how to put your experiences into words, you need to understand why those words might matter. And your story may matter in ways you haven't considered. In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm sharing seven reasons telling your story can make a difference — for your family, your business, the people coming behind you, and sometimes for someone you'll never even know heard it. In This Episode, You'll Hear: How your story can shorten the walk for someone facing something you've already experienced Why simply sharing "this happened to me, too" can help someone feel less alone How writing down ordinary memories can preserve pieces of your family's history that might otherwise disappear Why your personal story can build trust and connection in your business How mistakes and failures can become some of the most useful stories you tell Why your experience may inspire someone to do something they didn't believe they could do How writing our stories gives important moments somewhere to live long after the moment itself is gone Why sharing your story does not mean sharing everything I also share a story from my own life about a high school English teacher who, without ever knowing it, helped influence my decision to become an English teacher myself. Sometimes we don't realize the significance of a story while we're living it. We understand it only when we look back and see where it led us. Something to Think About This Week Instead of asking: "Who would care about my story?" Try asking: "Who might this story help?" Then think about this: What have I lived, learned, survived, built, discovered, or experienced that might make someone else's walk a little shorter? Start there. Because that might just be the story you need to tell. If this episode helped you, please take a minute to rate and review the podcast. Those ratings and reviews help The Edit continue to grow and reach more writers and storytellers. Send any questions or comments to Holly at: writelynotable@gmail.com  And remember: Your story without your voice is only words. — Holly

    Why Should I Tell My Story? 7 Reasons Your Story Matters

  4. Aug 26

    How To Find What Your Story Is Really About

    "I write to discover what I know." — Flannery O'Connor You may know what happened in your life—but do you know what your story is really about? Those aren't always the same thing. A divorce may be what happened, but the story might really be about starting over. Building a business may be what happened, but the story might be about learning to trust yourself. Losing someone you love may be what happened, but the story might be about grief, faith, identity, family, or discovering how to build a life you never expected to live. In Episode 18 of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, we're continuing our series on getting your story out of your head and onto the page by looking for the thread that connects the stories you want to tell. Because your life contains thousands of stories—but they don't all belong in the same book. In This Episode We'll talk about: The difference between what happened and what your story is actually about Why every good story from your life doesn't necessarily belong in this particular book How to recognize recurring themes and ideas in the stories you keep telling Why asking "What changed?" can reveal the deeper story How the things you had to learn can point toward the heart of your book Why thinking about what you want your reader to carry with them matters How to find your story's thread without forcing a message or lesson Why you don't have to tell your entire life to tell your story Questions to Help You Find Your Story As you look at the pieces you've already written—or the stories you know you want to tell—ask yourself: What keeps showing up? What changed? What did I have to learn that I didn't understand before? What do I hope my reader carries with them after reading my book? And try completing these two sentences: I used to think this story was about __________, but now I wonder if it's really about __________. If someone reads this book, I hope they walk away believing __________. Don't worry about having the perfect answers. You're exploring, and those answers may change as you continue writing. The Big Takeaway You don't have to share your whole life to write your story. You need to decide which story you're telling, find the thread that runs through it, and choose the moments that help you follow that thread. And you don't have to understand exactly what your story means before you're allowed to start writing it. Sometimes writing is how you discover what the story means. Coming Next Once you begin finding the thread of your story, another question usually follows: How do I know what belongs in my book—and what doesn't? That's where we're headed in the next episode. If this series has helped you, share it with someone who's been talking about writing their story but hasn't figured out how to begin. And if you have a writing, editing, or publishing question you'd like me to tackle, send it my way. The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing writelynotable@gmail.com httep://www.writelynotable.com Your story without your voice is only words.

    How To Find What Your Story Is Really About

  5. Aug 19

    How to Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where to Begin

    If you want to write your story but keep getting stuck on one question—Where do I start?—this episode is for you. One of the biggest misconceptions about writing a personal story, memoir, or nonfiction book is that you have to begin at the chronological beginning. Your childhood. Your family history. The first thing that happened. But the place where you begin writing your story and the place where your finished book begins don't have to be the same. In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, Holly continues her series inspired by a listener who wants to write his story but has struggled to get the words onto the page. This time, we're taking some of the pressure off finding the "perfect" beginning. You'll learn: Why you don't need to know what Chapter One is before you start writing The difference between where your book begins and where you begin writing Why chronological order isn't always the best place to start How to identify the part of your story that's ready to be written now Why the scene, conversation, person, or moment you can't stop thinking about may be the best place to begin Why your first pages are allowed to be messy and disconnected How writing the middle can sometimes help you discover the real beginning Why structure and organization can—and should—come later Instead of asking, "Where should my book start?", Holly encourages you to ask a much simpler question: "What part of my story can I tell today?" Maybe it's the moment you can still see clearly. Maybe it's the conversation you've never forgotten. Maybe it's the story you've told a hundred times. Maybe it's the day when everything changed. Start there. You can move it, rewrite it, add to it, or even remove it later. That's what editing is for. Right now, your job isn't to perfectly organize your story. Your job is to write it. Coming Next In the next episode, we'll take this series one step further with another important question: What is my story really about? Because your life contains thousands of stories—but the book you're writing probably isn't about all of them. The Edit With Holly Totten  Please take a minute to rate and leave a review for this podcast—that is how we grow! You can reach Holly at: https://writelynotable.com wrtielynotable@gmail.com Remember: Your story without your voice is only words.

    How to Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where to Begin

  6. Aug 12

    You Don't Have To Remember Everything To Write Your Story

    Have you ever thought about writing your story and immediately stopped yourself because you don't remember enough? Maybe you remember the big moments, but not the dates. Maybe entire years feel fuzzy. Maybe you remember what happened but can't recall the exact conversation. Or maybe you've compared memories with a sibling and discovered the two of you remember the same event very differently. Here's the good news: You don't have to remember everything to write your story. In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm continuing my series inspired by a listener who asked how to begin writing his story when he simply couldn't get anything onto the page. This time, we're talking about memory—and why an imperfect memory doesn't disqualify you from writing a memoir, personal story, family history, or other nonfiction book. In This Episode, We Talk About: Why memory doesn't work like a filing cabinet How to start with the moments you do remember Why you shouldn't stop writing just because you can't remember a date or detail What to do when someone else remembers an event differently How to write from your own perspective without claiming to know someone else's thoughts or motivations How to handle dialogue when you don't remember the exact words Why it's okay to acknowledge gaps in your memory The difference between reconstructing a scene and inventing details How writing one memory can lead you to another—and another I also share a personal story about witnessing a serious car accident and the surprising realization I had when the police asked me what I had seen. I was there. I was close enough that I thought the speeding car was going to hit me. And yet, I didn't actually see or hear the moment of impact. Someone standing nearby experienced the exact same event and remembered things I didn't. That experience is a powerful example of something every personal storyteller needs to understand: Your story is your experience of what happened. You don't need a perfect recording of your past to tell the truth about your life. You need to be honest about what you remember, what you don't remember, and what you experienced. So if you've been waiting until you remember more before you begin writing, don't. Start with what you remember. Write it down. Then follow it and see where it leads. Sometimes the memory that seems insignificant is the one that opens the door to everything else. This Episode Is For You If: You want to write a memoir, family story, personal experience, business story, or nonfiction book but worry that you don't remember enough details to do it well. It's also for anyone who has ever wondered: What if I get something wrong? What if someone else remembers it differently? And how can I write honestly about something that happened years ago? You can. And you don't have to remember everything to begin. Opening Quote "Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us." — Oscar Wilde About The Edit The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing is for writers who have a story to tell and want help getting it onto the page, making it stronger, and eventually getting it into the hands of readers—without editing away the voice that made the story theirs in the first place. You can contact Holly at: https://www,writelynotable.com writelynotable@gmail.com Your story without your voice is only words.

    You Don't Have To Remember Everything To Write Your Story

  7. Aug 5

    How To Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where To Begin

    "You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." — Martin Luther King Jr. You know you have a story to tell. You may have carried it with you for years. You've thought about writing it. You may have even told pieces of it to friends or family. But then you sit down in front of a blank page…and nothing comes. In this episode of The Edit, I'm answering a question from listener Jackson, who asked how to begin writing his story when, no matter how hard he tries, he simply can't seem to get anything onto the page. And Jackson is definitely not alone. Beginning can feel overwhelming because we often sit down to write one story while expecting ourselves to figure out the entire book at the same time. Where should it begin? What should I include? What does it all mean? Will I remember everything correctly? What will other people think? And how do I make any of this sound like an actual book? That's a lot to ask of yourself before you've written a single sentence. So today, we're making the process much smaller. Because you don't need to see the entire staircase. You just need to take the first step. In This Episode, We Talk About: Why struggling to begin does not mean you don't have a story worth telling Why the beginning of your book doesn't have to be the beginning of your writing process How to choose one vivid moment instead of trying to write your entire life story Why telling your story out loud may help you find the words you can't seem to write How writing to one person can help your natural voice come through Why a simple list of memories can become the bones of your story Questions you can use to open up memories when "write your story" feels too overwhelming Why you need permission to write a messy, imperfect first version The importance of separating writing from editing How short, focused writing sessions can make a big project feel manageable Why you don't have to understand what your story means before you begin writing it What to do when fear—not lack of ideas—is keeping you from the page Why writing your story and publishing your story are two separate decisions How to handle memories when you aren't certain about every detail A Simple Exercise to Help You Begin After listening to this episode, open a notebook, blank document, or the notes app on your phone and write: "The moment I keep coming back to is…" Finish that sentence. Then set a timer for ten minutes and stay inside that one memory. Where were you? Who was there? What could you see or hear? What was said? What did you know then? What do you understand now? Don't try to explain your whole life. Don't worry about whether this belongs in Chapter One. And definitely don't stop to edit it. Just write the moment. When your ten minutes are over, find one sentence or phrase that feels alive to you. That may be the thread that leads you into your next writing session. 10 Sentence Starters for the Blank Page If you still aren't sure how to begin, try one of these: I've told this story many times, but I've never written it down. The part I remember most clearly is… Everything changed the day… At the time, I did not understand… I knew something was wrong when… For years, I believed… There's one conversation I've never forgotten. I wish I could go back and tell myself… People often assume…but the truth is… This is not the whole story, but it's where I need to begin. Choose one. Finish the sentence. Then write the next one. That's how stories begin—not with the entire path mapped out or with complete confidence, but with one honest sentence followed by another. And to Jackson, thank you for asking the question. Your question is one I know many writers need answered. You don't have to know the whole book. You don't have to write it in order. You don't have to sound polished. You just have to give yourself permission to begin. One memory. One scene. One sentence at a time. You can reach Holly at: writelynotable@gmail.com or https://www.writelynotable.com If this episode helped you, please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing the podcast with someone who has a story they've been trying to tell. And if you have a writing, editing, or storytelling question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, reach out. Your question might be exactly what another writer needs to hear. Remember: Your story without your voice is only words.

    How To Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where To Begin

  8. Jul 28

    Sharing Your Story - Why Ordinary Stories Matter

    "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou What if the most meaningful part of your vacation wasn't the destination... but the people you met? After returning from Cozumel, Mexico, Holly realized she wasn't thinking about the beaches, the restaurants, or the excursions. She was thinking about the people she met—and the stories they shared. A grandfather whose family grew out of unimaginable loss. A young man whose passion for his hometown reminded her that stories bridge cultures. A hardworking waitress whose quiet determination challenged every first impression. An elderly couple whose love story began with a note passed in third grade. None of them believed they had extraordinary stories. Yet every one of them left a lasting impression. In this heartfelt episode of The Edit, Holly explores why we so often underestimate our own experiences and why ordinary stories are often the ones readers—and people—connect with most. Whether you're writing a memoir, a business book, family history, or simply wondering if your life is "interesting enough," this episode is a reminder that your story doesn't have to be dramatic to matter. Because stories don't just preserve memories. They preserve hope. They preserve wisdom. And sometimes, they remind someone else they aren't alone. In This Episode Why everyone has a story worth telling How ordinary experiences become extraordinary stories Four unforgettable conversations from a trip to Mexico Why readers connect with humanity—not perfection How stories create connection between complete strangers The danger of believing your life is "too ordinary" Why you don't have to wait until your story is finished to begin telling it How sharing your experiences can encourage someone else Memorable Quote "Instead of asking yourself whether your story is worth telling, ask yourself: What part of my story might help someone else?" Mentioned in This Episode Maya Angelou Personal storytelling Memoirs Family history Business books Writing with authenticity Finding your voice The power of ordinary stories Connect with Holly If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their story matters. If you're ready to write your story without losing your voice, visit https://www.writelynotable.com to learn more about writing coaching and editing services. You can find Holly on all social platforms at Holly Totten. If you have a writing question or a  topic you would like Holly to answer or talk about, you can email her at writelynotable@gmail.com

    Sharing Your Story - Why Ordinary Stories Matter
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About

Your story deserves to be told in your voice, not someone else's. The Edit is the podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, memoirists, and business owners who want to write a book that sounds unmistakably like them. Hosted by nonfiction editor and writing coach Holly Totten, this show explores the space between first draft and final version—the messy, magical middle where clarity, confidence, and authentic storytelling are shaped. If you have ever worried that working with an editor or following conventional writing advice will strip away your personality, flatten your tone, or turn your unique perspective into something forgettable and generic, you have come to the right place. Holly believes that editing is not about making you sound like everyone else. It is about helping you sound more like you, only clearer, tighter, and more powerful. This podcast is not a grammar lecture. It is not a list of rigid rules or a formula for writing what sells. Instead, each episode blends practical, actionable guidance with honest, unscripted conversations about the real struggles writers face: overwhelm, self-doubt, messy drafts, imposter syndrome, and the fear of putting your work out into the world. You will hear from fellow writers navigating the same challenges, and you will leave with tools you can use immediately. Holly brings years of experience as a nonfiction editor and writing coach, but she does not pretend to have all the answers. What she offers is a philosophy: your voice is not a problem to be fixed. It is the entire point. Editing should uncover what is already brilliant, not sand it down until nothing recognizable remains. Across every episode, The Edit covers topics that matter to real writers, including: How to self-edit without deleting your voice or second-guessing every sentence. The difference between developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading—and which ones you actually need. Memoir writing prompts that actually uncover your story instead of forcing you into someone else's template. Self-publishing versus traditional publishing: how to choose what is right for your book and your goals. Working with an editor as a creative partner and collaborator, not a critic or gatekeeper. Overcoming perfectionism, finishing your messy first draft, and learning to trust your instincts. Protecting vulnerable, honest moments in your writing from the "Should Monster" that tells you to play it safe. Practical strategies for line-level polishing that sharpen your prose without losing your rhythm. How to record yourself reading your work aloud as a voice check—and why that single habit transforms everything. Whether you are writing a memoir about a difficult season of life, a nonfiction business book to grow your authority, a self-published guide to share your hard-won expertise, or simply gathering notes and ideas for a future project, The Edit meets you exactly where you are. Messy first draft? Half-finished chapter? A notebook full of scribbled ideas and no clear path forward? You belong here. This podcast is for anyone who has ever finished an editing session and thought, "That doesn't even sound like me anymore." It is for writers who refuse to sound like a LinkedIn post, a textbook, or a bland bestseller clone. It is for the entrepreneur who knows they have a book inside them but is terrified of losing their authentic voice along the way. Because here is the truth Holly wants you to remember: your story without your voice is only words. But your story with your voice? That is something the world desperately needs. New episodes typically release weekly. Subscribe now and stop writing like someone else. Start writing like you.

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