Who I Am as a Writer/Editor
Robbi Sommers Bryant is an award-winning author and professional editor with more than fourteen years of experience helping writers shape powerful, psychologically resonant stories. Known for her intuitive understanding of character, emotional depth, and narrative tension, she works collaboratively with authors to strengthen voice, structure, and thematic cohesion—while preserving the authenticity of the writer’s vision.
Her award-winning body of work includes six novels, five short-story collections, and a book of poetry. Her fiction spans psychological suspense, dark literary fiction, and surreal drama, including The Beautiful Evil, the haunting novella Dream, The Darkness, and the forthcoming Last Breath. Her stories and essays have appeared in Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Penthouse, international journals, college textbooks, and literary anthologies.
Her writing continues to draw national and international attention:
• Dream won the 2025 Screenplay Adaptation Award from the PageTurner Awards.
• The Darkness previously won adaptation rights and is currently in film development.
Robbi’s nonfiction essay “A Victim’s Revenge”—chronicling her confrontation with the man who assaulted her—was optioned twice for television’s Movie of the Week, and she discussed the experience on The Jane Whitney Show.
A past president of the 350-member Redwood Writers, Robbi has been honored with both the prestigious Jack London Award and the Helen Barham Service Award for her contributions to the literary community. As editor-in-chief of the anthology REDEMPTION: Stories from the Edge (2018), she oversaw every stage of its development and publication.
In addition to her writing, Robbi works professionally as a developmental, content, and copy editor, as well as a writing coach, where she shares her fierce love of story and her belief in the transformative power of narrative.
Her work explores obsession, identity, trauma, desire, and the shadow selves we carry—stories that move through darkness toward the most human parts of who we are.
What I Do
Developmental Edit / Substantive:
- a significant structural and in-depth critique of your work.
- help find and fix the “holes” or problems with your story.
- restructuring, rearranging, developing plot, and characterization.
Copy Edit:
- edit the manuscript for sentence structure.
- create a rhythm to your writing,
- correcting errors in style, fixing POV issues, and correcting dangling modifiers.
Proofread:
- read your manuscript to find errors:
- grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Read-through Manuscript With Critique:
- read your manuscript with focus on the work as a whole.
- Are you accomplishing what you are intending to accomplish with your prose? Wouldn’t it be nice to find out?
Writing Coach: teaches you the secrets of a good story.
- Theme
- Point of View
- Plot
- Pacing
- Story Arc
- Character Development
- Character Arc
- Conflict/Tension
- Subtext and Dialogue
- Structure
- POV
- Setting
- Mood
- Voice
Contact me to discuss your particular needs, my editing process, and fees.
Who I Am as a Watercolor Artist
Robbi Sommers Bryant, a name that resonates with joy and whimsy in the art world, was born in the culturally rich city of Cincinnati. Her childhood unfolded in Finneytown, a serene suburb where the young Robbi was captivated by the social aspects of school and the thrill of learning. This intrinsic curiosity and enthusiasm for life would later pervade her art, imbuing it with a sense of unapologetic joy and humor.
Interestingly, Bryant’s journey to discovering her love for painting came later in life and somewhat unexpectedly. As a published author, she found herself creatively drained after her last book. It was during this hiatus, prompted by a suggestion from an article, that she ventured into painting. In 2021, after attending a watercolor class, Bryant experienced an artistic epiphany. The brush strokes unlocked a fervent passion within her, one she hadn’t recognized before.
Creativity runs in her family’s veins, albeit in different forms. Her mother dabbled in drawing, subtly laying the groundwork for Bryant’s artistic inclinations. Though she is primarily a self-taught painter, Bryant’s determination and passion have driven her to refine her technique through persistent trial and a generous amount of error.
Before fully embracing her artistic career, Bryant’s life was a tapestry woven with varied experiences. After graduating from Ohio State, she relocated to the Bay Area of California, where she made her mark as a dental hygienist and a writer. These diverse professional endeavors enriched her perspective and deepened her well of inspiration, which naturally informs her art.
Her work is a vibrant celebration of life’s lighter side. She draws her subjects from imagination, contemplating the scenes she wishes to paint the night before. This imaginative exercise reflects her belief in the playful aspects of existence. With commendable ease, Bryant infuses her paintings and clever titles with an unmistakable sense of whimsy, a defining characteristic that captures and delights her audience.
Bryant’s artistic influences include renowned figures such as Edward Hopper and George Tooker. Their distinct styles and thematic explorations resonate within her works, subtly guiding her creative spirit. Her dedication to her craft has earned her several accolades, including the audience favorite at both the 2022 and 2023 Springfield Township ArtsConnect shows.
Looking ahead, Bryant is set to showcase her whimsical artistry at the Cultural Arts Center at the Delhi Town Square in November 2024, marking a significant milestone on her artistic journey. Her work is lauded for its ability to evoke joy, a testament to its creator’s core philosophy of celebrating life’s everyday pleasures.
Outside the canvas, Bryant is fascinated by the aging process and enjoys socializing, activities that enrich her understanding of human experiences and relationships – an understanding that seeps into her vibrant paintings. Her dual career as a writer and editor complements her artistic endeavors, both rooted in a rich imagination and a flair for storytelling.
Through her art, Robbi Sommers Bryant aspires to remind us of the levity and humor in life, extolling the virtues of joy and whimsy in a world often fraught with seriousness. Her creative endeavors continue to inspire and elate those who encounter them, reinforcing the indispensable role of art in uplifting the human spirit.