A good editor can make all the difference between a quality piece of writing and a stellar piece of writing. An editor is a jeweler: she needs the raw material with high potential that she can cut, buff, and shine into brilliance. The Mötley Fool taught me a critical editing lesson that I am afraid I have long missed and plan to remedy.
Every editor I’ve ever had has told me about the importance of a strong lead to grab a reader’s attention. The Mötley Fool taught me the importance of a strong close but for a different reason than I ever considered. A strong close is a reward to a reader for sticking with a piece. I’ve spent so much time shining up my leads that I fear I’ve neglected the humble and critical close, and I plan to fix that.
A solid piece of writing leaves the door open for consideration and discussion. It takes a reader off the page and into the world with the ideas and opinions that the writer is compelled to share through his or her words. The opening is what draws a reader in, though the ending is largely what remains when it’s all over. It doesn’t need to be pretty or neat, but it does need to be powerful. It does need to be satisfying while also stirring intrigue. It has to make readers glad that they stuck around and cause them to seek out more from the author. Ending well ensures that there will be new beginnings down the line. Many thanks to the Fools for this lesson. I am better for it.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
1 thought on “Beautiful: End Strong – An Editing Lesson from The Motley Fool”
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am having issues with
your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it.
Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Christa Avampato 
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am having issues with
your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it.
Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
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