Category: workshops

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Editors are counselors


“Editors are counselors and can do a good deal more for writers in the first-draft stage than at the end of the publishing process.” –John McPhee

This quote from John McPhee’s Draft No. 4 book sums up how I have been working as developmental editor since 1999. You know your book best! It’s my job to help you discover your story.

If you’d like to talk to a developmental editor as you write your children’s novel this semester (Aug 8 – Dec 18, 2026) we can do that with lessons on a private site and EIGHT virtual mentor meetings.

See more here.

Copyright © 2026 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

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Taking Yoda’s Advice


“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” –Yoda (Download this wallpaper here)

My current writing notebook has this Yoda quote on the cover. I’m working on a new book, and I’m not “trying” to write it, I’m doing it.

The difference may be subtle, but it’s important. According to Merriam-Webster, a try is an “attempt” to see if something works, but when you do something, you “bring (it) into existence” — and that is my goal for the rest of the year — to bring a new children’s novel into existence.

Is that your goal too?

See more here.

Copyright © 2026 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.