Whether it's a poem, proposal, or press release, as your editor I will ensure that your message is expressed in a clear and powerful way. For more than 30 years, I have provided editing skills as an independent consultant, employee, and volunteer. Among my most rewarding projects: Working one-on-one for 10 years with a client in her 80s to preserve the history of her family, including two hardbound books, multimedia presentations, and many other projects. I currently am editing her third book. Collaborating for five years with hundreds of my neighbors to successfully raise funds for a 120-foot-long mosaic wall, which was completed and dedicated in March 2008. Among my contributions: editing proposals, a community history, and promotional materials. I have worked with writers, historians, nonprofit organizations, historical societies, filmmakers, associations, community groups, webmasters, builder/developers, meeting planners, universities, and corporations. My professional experience also includes research, writing, design, and event planning. In my free time, I write haiku, research my family, take photographs, read, work on film projects, travel, work in my garden, practice qigong, and sing.    More About Susan What I like most about editing: Fine-tuning a manuscript so that the true voice of the writer shines through in a clear, compelling way. My best advice to writers: Take time to be still and present, to stay connected to the writer's voice within you. Listen, until what you hear fills your being. Write, and keep on writing until it becomes such a compelling rhythm in your life you just can't resist it. My favorite genres to edit: Nonfiction and poetry. Number of years I've been editing: 31. Edit hard copy or on-screen: I am proficient in editing both on-screen and on hard copy. My "must have" writing reference books: The Chicago Manual of Style and, to keep things light, The Transitive Vampire. Favorite background music when I edit: Either a shuffle on my iPod—an eclectic mix from Amiina to Bob Wills to Madeline Peyroux to Nawang Khechog—or KUT radio. Scene outside the window where I edit: Trees, gardens, and sky, along with birds, cats, squirrels, and the occasional butterfly. Favorite quotes: "When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." —George Washington Carver "Beside a well, one does not thirst. Beside a sister, one does not despair." —Popular saying among speakers of Nushu, a southern Chinese language used only by women Memorable fictional character: Huw Morgan in Richard Llewellyn's novel How Green Was My Valley. Most recent blog/website I bookmarked: Texas Archive of the Moving Image. Currently reading: Just finished Water for Elephants. Currently rotating among Haiku Mind, Women's Qigong, Invisible Heroes, and Artist's Way (and participating in an Artist's Way group).