We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shaundale Rénā. Check out our conversation below.
Shaundale, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
As a full-time freelance developmental editor, I know the most misunderstood aspect of what I do is story development. Few people realize that there are four types of editing: developmental, copy, line, and then proofreading.
I am typically the first set of eyes to see a book after the first draft is completed. Whether a new indie author is in the making or a Big 5 publisher has been secured, the developmental editor addresses the manuscript initially. I make sure the story aligns from start to finish. The characters must be consistent, the setting must be believable, and the story progression must be clear. Along those lines, the technical stuff really does nothing for me outside of triggering OCD. It is my job to fix the story; it is the copyeditor’s job to fix spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. They may also line edit. Then the proofreader gives the final onceover.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As the creative force behind S. Rénā + Co. Editorial Boutique, my primary role is big picture, deep dive editing. After nearly ten years of trying to be a jack-of-all-trades editor, I slowly realized that the technical aspects of line and copy editing did nothing to feed my creativity. It took solely focusing on developmental editing these last three years for the bells to go off and the validation to come. Twelve international editing awards later, I now understand and appreciate the value I add to a space often flooded with high hopes, big dreams, endless possibilities, and creative chaos. It is because of this narrative that stories find me. I often get the projects I need at the time I need them. I consider it my gift to the world that draws the world’s gifts to me in equal portions.
Because I am a reader first and a writer second, books have become my literal life. For me, the story must connect whether a dog crosses the street or the wind blows. There’s a big difference between “The dog crossed the street,” and “The dog strolled cautiously, ignoring the sounds of honking horns and angry drivers as it made its way to the other side of the road.” That’s the kind of magic I get to create at S. Rénā + Co. Editorial Boutique!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Wow! This is such a heavy but necessary question. In a time when self-care is considered the norm, these are the kinds of conversations we need to have.
I’d say what breaks the bonds between people, from personal experience, is dishonesty. Deception is one of those things you can’t come back from with me; it hinders all progress, once exposed.
To be honest, few people have remained a valid or even valuable part of my life after lies were revealed; I’m talking bosses to exes. Depending on the nature of the relationship, I feed them a communal kind of love with a “long-handled spoon,” as my grandmother used to say. Not many have come back from that once the line gets drawn. I say so because I want to be clear: I don’t know what restores broken bonds between people because not all people are the same. I tend to not stay around long enough afterwards to find out, personally. Even if I show up to the next party, I’m not there to party with you specifically.
For some, lies are a way of life. There are those who accept it and show grace. Then there are those who pretend everything is okay, as if nothing happened. And, alas, there’s me… Once a bond has been broken, unless you are a blood relative, grace looks like me letting you move on. We are done in the most finite way, even if I still show up daily. We don’t get to sip lemonade on the front porch together; we get to finish the project, to sing Happy Birthday, to give thanks around the dinner table, or whatever else life calls us to and that is that.
I would like to guess that restoration looks like forgiveness, but I’ve learned that forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation. In fact, forgiveness looks like giving yourself the benefit of the doubt in some cases. We trust people, but “people” know their intentions when they enter our lives. And the same is true for clients, colleagues, and potential business partners, significant others and friends.
Transparency is the best way to avoid breaking bonds, and sincerely apologizing might be a good first step to healing. After that, I’ve got nothing… I’m forever a work in progress in this space.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
OMG… If I could tell younger me anything at all, it would be to believe in herself. There were so many times when what I was thinking and/or feeling was right, but I allowed outside voices to influence my decisions. I have far too many regrets on the plus side of fifty now, and many are from not listening to and trusting myself.
I would also tell her to not major in Computer Information Systems and to follow her heart. I wanted to study English or Journalism while in undergrad at Grambling State University, but I didn’t have faith that I’d actually end up doing exactly what I’m doing now: working in publishing. Yeah, I’d tell her, “Shaundale, girl you are talented. Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Bet on yourself.”
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
A forever romantic, I believe love the way God intended is pure and we have so botched it up that humanity is bleeding generationally. But, I cannot prove it. Ha!
Seriously, I believe God’s covenant relationship is the one between Himself and the two people he intended find each other—not the two people who just-so-happened to find each other. Katt Williams said it best: “There are people in love who are not married and people married who aren’t in love.” Do I agree with the shenanigans? No. Do I understand the sentiment? Yes. We can try to fit a square peg into a round hole for 75 years, but that doesn’t mean it’ll ever work or that God ever intended it to. But, we believe what we believe… Sometimes, to our own detriment.
There are people who, again, never intended to do right by another person. I don’t think God intended for them to wreak havoc on another, being intentionally careless. We simply have to understand that some people found each other too late (or too soon). Again, honesty goes a long way. You probably can’t just come out and say, “Wife, I’ve been in love with my childhood friend since middle school,” but you don’t get to not say anything and build a house of glass, expecting it to not crumble and cut somebody at some point.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
As a full-time developmental editor, I spend hours reading and writing—bridging together ideas I know clients are trying to get across to readers. I’d say I’m definitely doing what I was born to do. I help to create literary magic! My wand is nothing more than good ol’ Microsoft Word and the hocus pocus of a gut-wrenching gnaw that won’t let me quit until I’m out of fumes. Even now with the surgency of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot, I do not see artificial intelligence as the end-all be-all to developmental editing. You need personality, originality, and experience to do what I do. At the very least, you must be an avid reader and a decent writer. Thus, AI will forever fall short of the necessary component of human interaction that renders the best stories—real stories, like the ones I get to work on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ShaundaleRena.com
- Instagram: iShaundale
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaundale-hornes-johnson%F0%9F%A9%B7%F0%9F%92%9A-55a016127/
