Coaching
Writing as a group effort
Writing is often thought of as a solitary process, but that is not entirely true. We often give our essays, poems, chapters, short stories etc. to a trusted friend, spouse or group workshop and ask for their feedback. Moreover, when ready for publishing, writers work with agents, editors, publishers and PR teams.
While it takes a village to bring a writer’s work to readers, getting actual words on the page is solely up to the writer. A coach can come in to help make those solitary moments more productive and goal-oriented.
How can coaching help me?
A writing coach is the objective third party between the writer and their work. They first assess the writer’s desires and goals for the project. Then, they develop an actionable plan to help them achieve those goals, whether it is finishing a novel or submitting finished work to a publisher.
Think of a coach as a friendly and informative guide leading you on the writing trail. When you need a break, we take a break. When you need a push, I am there to help motivate you.
What does a coaching session look like?
First and foremost, I will listen to your concerns, fears, desires and goals as a writer. Then, I will incorporate different practices such as writing and journaling prompts, suggested readings or podcasts. If you have something to work with, we go line by line or paragraph by paragraph and discuss what's working and what isn't. If you're starting from scratch or experiencing writer's block, I can help you push through those difficult starts and stops.
Writing is a personal, emotional and spiritual endeavor. A coach can help a writer work through certain hang ups that might prevent them from reaching their full potential. The roles of a coach vary, from being a shoulder to cry on, a person to vent to, or a stern trainer that pushes you through plateaus.
In the first session, I will get to know you as a writer and what your goals are. Don't worry! If you don't have any goals, I can help with goalsetting as well.
How long should I work with a coach?
That is up to you and your goals. I recommend having at least 3 coaching sessions to assess and understand where you want go with your writing.
Where do I need to be in my writing journey?
You can be anywhere from novice to widely published. Any type of writer can benefit from having a writing coach.