Writing Coaching
Writing a book is a big challenge, like running a marathon or going for something you’ve always dreamed about—except your busy life (and maybe your fear of failure) has kept you from going for it.
I’ve been there. I get it.
By 2021, I’d been tolerating pain and mid-life weight gain for years.
After breast cancer treatment, foot surgery, a knee replacement, and weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, I resigned myself to being a post-menopausal, overweight woman who would wear baggy blouses for the rest of her life. Although I walked my dogs twice a day, told myself to eat better, and tried a few things to get rid of chronic pain, nothing seemed to work.
Then, in March 2021, a life-changing conversation with my doctor had me take on transforming my health for real. She ignored my “Yeah, but’s,” and went straight to giving me the tools I needed to lose weight in healthy ways, including a virtual private coach and a year-long group program in the psychology of eating.
At the same time, I saw an ad online that gave me the courage to try Pilates, an exercise that had always intimidated me.
Secretly, I longed to be strong and flexible like a gymnast, but at fifty-eight years old, I doubted my ability to get my “flabby” aging body back in shape. I hoped Pilates would help, so I faced my fear and tried it.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered Pilates group classes could be fun and relieve stress while also transforming my belly, hips, and arms! Combining that almost-daily exercise with investing in expert support, coaching, and accountability helped me lose nearly fifty pounds and three dress sizes over a year. But just as important to me, transforming my body helped relieve chronic pain and boosted my confidence to fulfill other dreams I’d given up on, too.
Why Hire a Coach?
In theory, to lose weight and reshape my body, I should have been able to change my eating habits and do Pilates on my own. But I couldn’t get it done on my own—and there’s no shame in that. If you attempt to achieve a big hairy goal alone (with little help from experts or people who’ve done it before), you’re more than likely going to fail. Or it could take a lot longer than you think.
Even if you know, for example, that you like to write and you’ve got a good start on the book you’ve always dreamed of writing, thousands of people never finish writing their book, let alone publish it.
A Michigan publisher surveyed 1,006 people and 81% said they wanted to write a book.*
But here’s the catch: when The Write Practice surveyed its authors to find out what they found to be most difficult about writing a book, authors said, “Finishing it.”
* Joseph Epstein. “Think You Have a Book in You? Think Again.” New York Times. September 28, 2002
How to Finish Writing Your Book
You’ll need to sustain your writing (and re-writing) efforts longer than you might think to finish your book. You also need to organize, develop, and hone your ideas in a way that people will actually want to buy, read, and recommend your book.
That’s where I come in as a book writing coach. I’ve guided hundreds of authors through the book writing process.
I know how to get authors across the finish line to a published book they can be “peacock proud” of.
As a well-published author, educator, and writing coach with a PhD in English, I give you specific guidance and concrete feedback to help you develop your ideas, stories, and expertise. I also diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of your writing and teach you the skills to write a book that positions you as an expert, differentiating you from everyone else.
When you get stuck, I get you unstuck. When you get confused or second-guess yourself, I’ll get you clear and back on track.
Want to know about how my group coaching program works? Check out Write Your Book Now.
How My Private Coaching Method Works
A three-month private coaching package consists of hourly virtual sessions with me every other week. To schedule your sessions, we’ll work out a consistent day and time to meet for the limited slots I have available per quarter.
Before Each Session
You will send me a portion of your writing twenty-four hours in advance. I take an hour to read and analyze your writing before we meet, inserting comments and making notes for myself to prepare for your session.
During a Session
I share my screen with you as I offer guidance and feedback while explaining my inserted comments. I view myself as a conversation partner about your book, using my critical and creative thinking skills to give you my best advice, as well as access to your blind spots.
At the End of a Session
You’ll get the marked-up manuscript, a recording of the session, all my notes, and any writing we might have done together during the session.
Want to know more? Let’s chat.
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