Write Wisdom: Editing an Existing Manuscript


...writing your life story
		Writing Your Memoir/Life Story Editing an Existing Manuscript Coaching Printing & Publishing Taking the First Step Recommended Memoirs

	EDITING AN EXISTING MANUSCRIPT You have taken the journey of writing your life story. You have a manuscript, but believe that you need the services of an editor to help shape your story, give it greater intensity and punch. You may also believe that you need an objective assessment of your manuscript to determine whether there are missing pieces, or too much detail and not enough feeling. Write Wisdom, Inc. can provide that objective analysis, and serve as your personal editor. *"Dadda Come Home: The Story of a Little Girl in World War II”* When Thelma Clark Santiago was a little girl, she promised her American born father, William Clark, that she would tell the story of his imprisonment by the Japanese during World War II while working as a civil engineer for the local electric company in the Philippines. Thelma’s mother, together with her young brothers and sisters, endured poverty and heartache not knowing if and when William might be released from prison. When he was finally liberated, the effects of prison life (eating rats to keep from starving, standing all day in the hot sun) took its toll on William and he died at the age of 59. Thelma carried the story of her father and her family’s struggles in her heart for more than sixty years. With the help of Write Wisdom, Thelma Clark Santiago completed her story, and the Orange County Register published a feature article that included excerpts of her story. Here is a brief excerpt from “Dadda Come Home: The Story of a Little Girl in World War II.” The day that we dreaded most happened when we least expected it. Julio had just gathered some young green coconuts from our tree. He was getting ready to cut them open and scoop out the soft white coconut meat for breakfast when the black “ambulancia” arrived suddenly in our driveway. Several Japanese soldiers jumped out. Dadda got out of the front seat and hurried into the house. We followed him. “I have to go, Mama,” he said in tears. “Take care of the children. Leave immediately for Pagsanjan as soon as you can. Talk to Mr. Kodama about the transportation. He will help you.” Mr. Kodama was the Japanese interpreter who lived with his Japanese wife in one of the employee’s houses….Saying goodbye to Dadda was very hard. I did not know whether to hang on to him, run away and hide or scream. I thought I was going to explode. [BACK TO TOP]