Okay, writers, you’re setting off onto the page with a new idea or you are staring at a stack of pages ready to carve out a revised story from your latest draft. I’ve written before about what a book coach is, when to use one, and how I approach the work. But you may still be wondering, “do I need a book coach?”
You may need a book coach if…
…you have gotten to the part of your process where you just want someone to tell you what to do already.
…you are struggling to overcome writer’s block or feel like you aren’t sure where to take your story next and are considering abandoning the project.
…you feel that you’ve lost the thread of your story during a revision.
…you aren’t sure if the story is good enough.
…you want to make your manuscript better.
…you want someone to support you along the way.
…you want a collaborative experience.
If you answered yes to any (or many) of these, you may benefit from working with a coach in some capacity.
I would recommend spending some time really articulating what you need and want from any writing support. Do you need project management help to stay organized and on schedule? Do you need to clarify your ideas or want a brainstorming partner? Do you want to dive into your pages and work on craft? Do you want ongoing feedback to make sure you’re on the right path?
Once you identify what exactly YOU need from the coaching experience, you want to find the right coach for you to make the most of your experience and your investment.
How?
Visit book coach websites. Check out their social media feeds. See what kinds of packages or courses they offer. Read through any free resources they provide or link to. Most, like me, offer free discovery calls, so take advantage and get a feel for whether that person is a good personality fit for you.
When I have a discovery call with a new writer, I am looking at more than just your genre or story topic. During a call, I am looking for writers who are:
- Serious about their writing. They want to learn and improve and grow as writers.
- Receptive to feedback. Hearing feedback can be hard, and I am very aware and sensitive to that fact. At the same time, I will be honest about where I think you may need to focus some attention. This may be on a story specific issue (not clear stakes or a character who isn’t fleshed out enough) or it may be about craft (too much info dumping, telling instead of showing, flat dialogue). My goal, however, is to always move you up to the next level in your writing no matter what the issue. If you’re open to receiving feedback, it will only serve to make your story (and future writing) stronger.
- Open hearted. Digging deep into your story’s heart can often be an emotional journey. The more open you are to the process and to your own self-discovery, the more insights you will have into your manuscript, specifically, and your writing in general.
- Curious. I want to work with writers who are curious about their manuscripts’ potential, of course, but who are also curious about craft and their own writing process. Curiosity and questions are key to how I work with writers.
These are the writers I want to work with. Are you that writer?
I invite you to check out my website to get a feel for my services and then contact me at the button below. I would love to chat with you about where I can support you on your writing journey.
Want to learn more about coaching or writing? Visit my blog or sign up to receive my free guide to the 5 Common Manuscript Mistakes I see writers make. When you sign up, you’ll receive my monthly newsletter (next issue drops on Monday, May 1st!!) where I share tips and ideas, an actionable next step you can take in your writing immediately, as well recs on what I’m reading, watching, and listening to.
Whether it’s on a call or through my newsletter or Instagram, I look forward to connecting with you soon! Happy Writing!
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