Sunset over Wadi Rum, Jordan (2025)

About me…

I am a writing coach/editor helping writers achieve their goals: from university professors to aspiring novelists; from high school students writing personal statements to graduate students working on a thesis.

My introduction to writing happened by accident… quite literally. After breaking my ankle in high school shattered my plans to join the track team, I took journalism because it was the only elective available. Soon, I was the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. My work in journalism continued at Long Beach City College, where I wrote several award-winning articles: from investigative exposes and human interest stories to profiles and movie reviews. My passion for storytelling led me to film school at the University of Southern California, where I enrolled in the School of Cinema-Television Production.

At USC, I honed my passion for storytelling by writing and directing student films while squeezing in as many extra writing courses as I could. After graduation and a brief stint in the entertainment industry, I found a new passion working with students in a variety of college access/after-school programs.

During this phase of my career, I helped students write scholarship essays, draft personal statements, and even letters of appeal for dismissed college students trying to gain re-admission. I also worked with grad students on their theses. Eventually, I chose to transition out of the field of education to channel that mentorship experience into editing full-time. Today, my primary focus is partnering with writers looking to hone their writing craft. Most recently, I’ve worked with attorneys, historians, novelists and university professors, helping them reach their creative goals.

My unique background as a first-generation Latino storyteller (and film aficionado!) who has worked in the field of education for over two decades gives me a unique lens to support writers. This support goes beyond “editing” and “offering feedback.” I am also a thought-partner and an accountability anchor; a source of support when you are stuck trying to find the right sentence for that introductory paragraph, or when you have come down with a bad case of “writer’s block.”

In my spare time, I enjoy photography,* live music, and reading historical non-fiction. I’m also an avid cinephile. When I’m not traveling to some remote part of the world, I’m out hiking in the San Gabriel mountains with my son and my chihuahua.

* All photography featured throughout this site was taken by me on location around the world.

Don’t hesitate to reach out! I offer a free consultation to see if I’m the right person to support your writing goals.

Silvestre in Wadi Rum, Jordan (2025)

Exploring Cocora Valley, Colombia (2011)

My Approach: How I Work with Writers

I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to working with writers. Before taking on a new project, I like to meet with prospective clients to discuss their needs and gauge whether we’re a right fit for each other. In most cases, I encourage them to send me a 10-20 page writing sample so I can provide a complimentary review. This helps the writer get a feel for the type of feedback I provide, and whether or not I “get” their project.

Once we move forward, I conduct a more detailed intake to find out about specific challenges they need support with and set a timeline. Some writers struggle with procrastination and need a structured, consistent meeting schedule. Others prefer a less rigid schedule because they are juggling a lot of responsibilities and also have more flexibility with their final publishing deadline.

An important part of the intake involves finding out how writers like to receive feedback. Everyone learns and processes information differently; some clients like to receive feedback during our meeting, while others prefer to review my comments a few days before so they can process the feedback and come to our meeting prepared with questions.

Some clients prefer making corrections on their own time. Others, on the other hand, prefer making edits during our virtual sessions, while bouncing ideas and discussing different ways of tackling a revision. While I certainly flag typos, I am not a copy editor. Our sessions center on high-level developmental editing: shaping your argument, refining structural clarity, and honoring your distinct voice.

I generally focus on such areas as:

  • Weaving a Narrative Thread

  • Character Development

  • Consistency + Pacing

  • Clarity + Structure

  • Voice + Tone

I’m based out of Southern California and meet virtually to accommodate writers in different time zones. I’m also available via text and/or email throughout the revision process to answer questions, bounce ideas, or help wordsmith. At the end of the day, writing is an art form. And, like any other artist… writers aren’t going to only run into creative roadblocks during scheduled sessions. I find this kind of flexibility to be important.

For more insight into how I work, or if you have a specific question, send me a message.

The Initiation Well in Sintra, Portugal (2024)