Why do you need a coach?
Jerry Cleaver, my mentor and founder of the Writers’ Loft in Chicago, said, “My personal estimate, after working with writers for over twenty years, is that having a coach can speed a writer’s development by a factor of ten.” I wholeheartedly agree! Writing is tough even when it’s going well. Going it alone will only increase your chance of giving up.
How do you know if I’m the coach for you?
- I break down the craft of writing in a way that makes it more enjoyable and less intimidating.
I specialize in working with writers to develop a ten-page story outline using the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey. This structure helps you organize any story, including memoir, into an effective, powerful narrative.
- I focus on the practical rather than subjective.
It’s not enough to know something’s not working. You need to know how to fix it. I’ll teach you how to apply the fundamentals of storytelling to every scene so you’ll be consistently strengthening your craft and technique.
- I enjoy helping you see tangible results.
Especially if it means holding a finished book in your hands! You may be just starting and worry that you won’t ever finish a first draft. Maybe you’ve got a complete manuscript and are committed to doing the necessary rewrites and edits. Or you may be ready for a comprehensive critique to make that final push before submission. No matter where you are in the process, there are many ways I can support you.
- I’m an expert in living the life of a creative professional.
I understand the challenges that all writers face. I know how to slay every ugly fear and doubt you have, from imposter syndrome to plain ol’ procrastination, to the ingrained habit you may have of playing small.
- I learned from the best.
I was a student for nearly a decade of Jerry Cleaver’s Writers’ Loft in Chicago, one of the longest-running and most successful writing groups around. Much of the craft and technique I apply comes from his bestselling book Immediate Fiction.
What can I do for you?
- Map Your Memoir in 8 Weeks
In 8 weeks we’ll develop a ten-page outline of your story using the Hero’s Journey. This package is recommended as a first step or as a guide to help you rewrite your completed first draft. - 1:1 Coaching
Submit up to 15 pages per week on a work-in-progress or completed manuscript and we’ll discuss a variety of ways to improve your storytelling and craft. - Manuscript Critique
If you have a complete manuscript and have taken it as far as you can with writing instruction and critique groups, apply for a critique. You’ll receive margin notes and a 10-15-page editorial report outlining strengths and weaknesses.
