The Power of Writer Coaching
I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my throat. I wished suddenly and very hard that I’d never signed up for this. Why had I thought hiring a writing coach would help me?
Soon my coach came on the line. Within the first few minutes of our discussion, my shoulders relaxed and my breathing returned to normal.
By the end of our one-hour call, I had two and a half pages of helpful ideas and notes. More importantly, I felt seen and heard for the first time in a long time.
Does the Term “Writer Coaching” Make You Feel Itchy?
Writer coaching. What comes to mind when you hear those words? For many people, it’s a long-term relationship. Six months minimum, maybe a year or two. This is a relationship where a coach whips your lazy writer’s butt into shape. They demand hours and hours of your time and hundreds of dollars for the pleasure of “making you into a REAL writer”.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’ve been writing professionally for the past 14 years and during that time have worked with two different coaches, neither of whom whipped anything into shape.
Instead, they offered suggestions and ideas, pointed out areas where they observed me struggling, and helped me to see how I might overcome those challenges.
Two Types of Writer Coaches
Coaches for writers fall into two camps:
- Craft coaches
- Process coaches
Craft coaches, very much like they sound, focus on the craft of writing. They work with writers struggling with the ins and outs of their current work-in-progress, be that a manuscript for a novel, a memoir, a poem, a short story, or anything else the writer’s working on.
These coaches are part developmental editor and part writing partner. They know grammar inside and out, help writers to find the perfect flow in their manuscripts, and also help them strengthen weaker areas in their writing.
Process coaches, on the other hand, help writers “behind the scenes”. These coaches partner with writers who feel stuck in their writing process, overwhelmed with the details that go along with writing (when? where? how?), are burnt out creatively, or feel frustrated with writing or themselves.
These coaches help writers build systems, processes, and strategies that help make their writing process as easy — and as simple — as possible. They help take the confusion out of the writing process and bring it back to the basics. Process coaches help writers be successful because they help them stop spinning their wheels and actually get traction.
Why Work with a Writing Coach?
Here’s an easy way to tell if working with a process-focused writing coach would help you.
In the past 30 days have you felt:
- Confused or overwhelmed? You know your “big writing goal” but it feels a million miles away and you aren’t sure how to line up all the steps to get to it?
- Like you can’t get traction on your project and are spinning your creative wheels?
- Frustrated because when you have time to write you don’t do it?
- Frazzled because you need more structure than you currently have in your writing practice…but have no idea how to build it without feeling like a drill sergeant is breathing down your neck?
- Irritated that your writing time always seems to get interrupted by a child/pet/parent/partner or some other priority that demands your attention?
- That you’re ready to take your writing to the next level…but aren’t sure what that is or how to do it?
- Like giving up writing altogether?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you might want to chat with a writing coach.
Common Misconceptions About Writing Coaches
As I mentioned, I’ve been writing professionally for several years and have come into contact with lots and lots of writers during that time.
A lot of writers dream of working with a coach but hold back because of one or more of these common misconceptions.
Misconception: “I don’t want to book six months (or more) of coaching sessions.”
Truth: You don’t have to. In my coaching for writers, I offer a one-session option. Several other coaches I know do the same.
Want to work with a writing coach but they insist you book several sessions immediately? Walk away. Or at the very least, check several references.
Often, a single coaching call is all a writer needs. You have specific questions that you want answered by someone further along the path than you are. Great! Book a single hour-long session. It is completely customized to you and your needs.
Misconception: “Writer coaching is very expensive and I can’t afford it.”
Truth: Writer coaching can be very expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Also, when you’re weighing the investment of hiring a good writing coach, consider how valuable your time is.
Yes, you can find TONS of information online, some of which might answer your questions. But how many hours will it take you to dig it up?
Misconception: “Writer coaching sounds very woo-woo. I’m a really practical person.”
Truth: Writer coaches come in all shapes, sizes, and with all different beliefs. Look for a writing coach who offers hands-on and practical advice if that’s what suits you best.
For instance, my clients always leave our coaching call with a short, simple list of next steps to take. I like to offer concrete ideas, tips, and suggestions that benefit my clients and that they can implement right away.
Misconception: “Writing coaches just work with people on their manuscripts, not on all the other stuff I need help with.”
Truth: Process-focused writing coaches help writers to create simple systems, processes, and procedures to help them reach their writing goals. They’re also great sounding boards, offering in-the-trenches information and guidance that they’ve learned through their own experiences.
Misconception: “A single writer coaching session can’t help me much.”
Truth: Actually, it can help a lot! Both the writing coaches I worked with offered incredibly valuable insights. They also made suggestions for the challenges I had that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else.
In my work as a writing coach too, I see the value of a single session. One of my clients recently told me, “I can’t tell you how much this hour has helped me. Thank you SO much!”
Writing Isn’t a Solo Activity
Writing is funny because it’s often performed in a vacuum. Unlike musicians or actors, we rarely have an audience. Writers don’t sit down at their keyboards to applause.
But the process of writing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. We all need people who care about us, our writing, and our writing goals.
Half of writing is sharing what you’ve written with others. Will you ever get to that point though, if you’re spinning your wheels and can’t finish a chapter, poem, or story?
How good would it feel to leave a writing session feeling peaceful and proud of yourself, rather than frustrated and overwhelmed?
Setting up simple, easy-to-maintain systems, small, do-able goals, and having the accountability a writing coach offers might be just what’s needed to take your writing to the next level.
Joy Choquette is an author, ghostwriter, and writing coach who works with authors to self-publish their books. She loves hiking and walking, losing herself in a good book, and eating chocolate in various forms.
Book a free, 15-minute writer coaching consultation at www.joychoquette.com or sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Self-Publishing Tip Sheet: https://bit.ly/3nV7C8e
