Writing a first draft is merely the first step to bringing a book or story into the world. Most of the magic of writing occurs during the revision process. As Author Barbara Kingsolver notes: “Pounding out a first draft is like hoeing a row of corn – you... read more
Do you dream about quitting your cubicle and following the muse full time? This course delves into the strategies professional writers use to step up their writing game. You’ll learn about the pathways to publication and professionalization and income opportunities... read more
By Lori DeBoer When my son was a toddler, I spent a week in the summer writing program offered by Naropa University. My group was instructed by Bobbie Louise Hawkins, esteemed poet and essayist. I wrote an essay under her direction but it was a little far afoot,... read more
by Lori DeBoer This essay originally appeared in a special edition of the literary magazine Creative Nonfiction, A Million Little Choices: The ABCS of CNF A sixteen-year-old boy, lousy with lust and a certain lassitude, falls in with a fast crowd and, one evening,... read more
Read an excerpt: “I correspond with some members of a group of people afflicted with PPH. One woman lives on a ranch in some Western state, more than an hour’s drive from a doctor, longer from a hospital. She blew a hole in her heart giving birth. The baby is... read more
By Lori DeBoer I was visiting Manitou Springs once with a friend when we happened upon a shrine tucked away near an abandoned spring. It was dedicated to a teenager who had been killed by a transient. I could not get this girl’s story out of my head. How could... read more
Essay by Lori DeBoer The famous Moll Flanders seems the most slippery sort of literary character, somehow eluding exposure since she first introduced her “own History” in 1722 under an assumed name in Daniel Defoe’s manuscript. The alias is necessary, she... read more
This short story was shortlisted for the 2013 Bellevue Literary Prize, judged by Jane Smiley, and published in the April 2013 issue of the Bellevue Literary Review. It was inspired by my father, Eldon Rohlk, who had Alzheimer’s Disease and was a farmer in Iowa. ... read more
Essay by Lori DeBoer Janette Turner Hospital’s Borderline opens with a border crossing scene in which a man unnerved about sneaking a bottle of whiskey into Canada commits an act of far greater consequence than bootlegging. He scoops up a Salvadoran refugee, who has... read more
Client Gretchen Clark was nominated for a 2014 Pushcart Prize for her short essay, “Pink Chrysanthemum” by the literary magazine 94Creations (www.94creations.com). The Pushcart Prize is one of the most celebrated literary prizes. The Pushcart Prize anthology was... read more
Congratulations to client Carol Test, for the selection of The West In You, as a Finalist for the 2010 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Carol’s fiction has been published in The Coachella Review, Swink, Night Train, Red Rock Review, The Normal... read more
Congratulations to Kathleen Pinckard for being a finalist in the 2014 Colorado Gold Contest for her middle grade novel, Never Believe a Lie Twice. Hundreds of authors enter the annual Colorado Gold Contest, which is organized by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Never... read more
Congratulations to my client Gretchen Clark for her recent publication success. Her piece, “Kiss and Make-Up,” won second place in Writer’s Advice 9th Annual Flash Nonfiction Contest. She also had a piece, “Territory, Redefined,”... read more
The Boulder Book Store has asked me to host an ongoing book club at the store. The aptly named Lori DeBoer’s Writing Book Club will meet on Wednesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder. There is no charge for this event, and... read more
By Lori DeBoer I interviewed a number of folks for an article, “Sustainability tax: Boulder County proposes a new levy aimed at boosting local agriculture,” which appeared in the May 22, 2014 edition. You can read the article HERE.... read more
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Lori DeBoer, my writing coach, helped me polish and fine-tune my manuscript. She coaxed and cajoled personal stories out of my head and onto the page and reminded me that my voice needed to enliven the rich and sometimes dense subject matter in this book.
Thomas H. Stoner, Jr.
Small Change, Big Gains: Reflections of an Energy Entrepreneur
“I came to Lori to strengthen my manuscript’s story line and narrative arc, tighten its conflict, and improve character development. As a professional development editor, Lori was incredibly supportive of my work, but most importantly gave me specific and constructive criticism to improve my book. Her hands on approach gave me both the knowledge and the skills to be able to improve my writing. Not only does Lori know writing, she also knows the writing business. It was a pleasure working with Lori and I highly recommend her. She is both professional and a great person. Every dollar I spent was worth it.”
Jessica Fishman
Chutzpah and High Heels: The Search for Love and Identity in the Holy Land
Yotzeret Publishing
“Best coach ever. Lori and I worked together through two of my books. She’s amazing and they don’t come any better. I would not be where I am today with my book if it wasn’t for Lori D. She taught me so much and I will be using her services again. I have now had two offers from two different publishers and have picked one. And have a third interested, which is so amazing.”