Kyra Nelson

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Two weeks into my college career, I ventured into the counseling office to see if they had any ideas on how to make an English degree marketable. As I was waiting for my appointment, I flipped through a brochure on the coffee table and stumbled upon the editing minor. There may or may not have been a chorus of angels at that moment. At any rate, I knew that I wanted to study editing. When the counselor said he was ready to see me, I proudly announced that I no longer needed his services because I’d already crafted a life plan.

As I began my studies, I became absolutely immersed in the world of publishing. I began attending every author event I could get to. I took editing positions with two of BYU’s academic journals. I read every chance I got. I became a teaching assistant for a publishing industry course and started an internship at A+B Works literary agency. I studied abroad in the British Isles. Okay, that didn’t have much to do with editing, but I did love it.

I’ve also developed a strong interest in writing. While I read a bit of everything, my writing prowess is mainly in teen fiction. I wrote an undergraduate thesis discussing the values of adolescent literature, and will rant on the subject if ever permitted. I’d rather write a murder scene than a kissing scene.

The random stuff about me:

I’m a compulsive thing-doer. I like to be busy, whether it’s reading, writing, watching sports, playing violin, baking cookies, traveling, decorating cakes, or just goofing off with friends. I’m a super hero aficionado and champion of 50s rock and roll. I can read Fox in Socks with exceptional skill. I love adventure, even if it’s a small adventure like roasting Starbursts over the open flame of my stovetop.

Lara Willard

Hi, I’m Lara, and I like to surround myself with banned literature.

And apart from my domestic duties as a full-time mom, I spend a lot of time reading, writing, editing, and geeking out. Read more about my experiences below.

(TL;DR? Just follow me on Twitter, where I’m not as longwinded, and on my blog, where I’m more resourceful)

Reading

I was hugely into the Encyclopedia Brown books as a child. Then I read Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, and I couldn’t get enough historical fiction and nonfiction. I went through phases. One year I was all about civil rights, reading biographies on Lincoln and Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. One year I had an intense Titanic obsession. (Don’t mention James Cameron to me. It might induce a rage.) Another year it was ancient Egypt (I do love the first two Mummy movies, though.) Do you remember the Dear America and Princess Diaries books? I loved the Titanic and Cleopatra diaries.

Continue reading Lara Willard

Elizabeth Buege

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Welcome to MS Edits! I’m excited to join the rest of the team to share thoughts and advice on a variety of writing and editing topics in the coming weeks. To kick things off, though, I want to take a minute to introduce myself.

I’m a Midwest girl with a B.A. in English, a heart for stories, and an obsession with words. I’m learning to tell my own stories, but it’s just as important to me to step into my editing shoes and help other authors tell theirs. Like my bio says, I grew up on a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. While I’ve found something I love in more than a few genres, I’ve always gravitated toward character-rich science fiction and fantasy novels as well as inspiring memoirs and autobiographies.

Continue reading Elizabeth Buege