Margaret Gobie

Do you need help with your memoir or creating engaging characters in your fiction? Or are you writing a book on art, or a memoir about the artistic life? Do you need help with a grant proposal in the arts or humanities? Then get in touch, I can help.

Memoirs: I can help you get started and organized, working with you to build a foundation for your own story.

Academic Papers: I adhere to Editors Canada’s guidelines for editing student works to preserve your authorship and integrity. 

Fiction: Your characters need to be believable, loveable and memorable—or despicable! I’ve delved into them all with actors and playwrights in my work as a theatre director, and I can help you do the same in your romance or cozy mystery. Or does your dialogue need to be more authentic? I have dissected the dialogue of countless plays with many actors and new playwrights and can help you find your characters’ voices.

Grant proposals: I have written many successful grants in my theatre life and I can help your proposal be clear, accurate and on point.

My background is in the performing arts—live theatre and film. I have been the editor or proofreader in the arts organizations where I worked. Many show programs and season brochures have crossed my desk for a copyedit or proofread before going to print.

I find working with writers and authors similar to my work with actors and playwrights. As a theatre director, I saw myself as a facilitator, bringing out the best in each actor. As a director of new plays, I have helped playwrights convey their intentions through the spoken word. I always work with encouragement and support in mind.

Behind the scenes, I have supported artists and other creatives at the Toronto International Film Festival Group, the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival and the Kelowna Actors Studio. I use the same processes and philosophy as I work with writers and authors. My job is to help you do your best work.

I brought clarity to the prose of high-profile artists, whose voice was well known and so had to be preserved. I have also written my own director’s notes, and copyedited other directors’ notes, for live performances and an acting academy.  These skills and my love of the written word prompted me to study editing and subsequently launch a freelance editing business. 

My home is in the Okanagan Valley in beautiful British Columbia, where I love to cycle the trails, read a good book at the beach, and support the local art scene—where I am currently the secretary (of course) on the board of directors of the local art gallery.