Author Coaching
I love being an author coach.
Last year, my wonderful friend, Josh Simonds of Deep Earth Press, asked me if I would consider joining the team as an author coach. At first, I had no idea what that meant. While I have been writing for over twenty years, professionally for the last five, the term was new to me. However, never one to be dismissive without doing research, I went on a fact-finding mission.
I learned that an author coach is exactly what it sounds like: a fellow author to coach you through the writing process. They are there to guide you along every aspect of your project, be it outlining, first drafts, editing, and beyond.
The more I researched, the more I began to realize, I’ve been unknowingly coaching for years.
At the end of 2019, I had the idea to start a podcast where I could dispense writing advice. Originally, the plan was to interview other authors, not only on their current projects but about their personal writing process. Everyone works differently and I’m fascinated with how other writers approach their work. I wanted to start local, aiming to speak to my close friends and then branch out.
Then 2020 happened.
Plans changed, and the podcast became a solo project. However, it would still take nearly a year before the first episode of I Got Nothing, a podcast for exhausted writers, was published. I had been on a podcast before with a co-host but never on my own. I have to admit, the first few minutes felt awkward. Picture me, sitting alone in a basement talking to a microphone about writing.
However, it became apparent that I could talk about writing for hours! It’s not just my job, it’s my passion, and sharing that with others makes me incredibly happy.
Cut to 2023 and the conversation with Josh that would lead to a new passion. After my research and a brief deep dive into my thoughts on the idea, I agreed to try my hand at author coaching. Things moved quickly after that and before I had a chance to wrap my head around my new title, I had my first three-hour coaching session.
Leading up to the call, my anxiety was all over the place. I wanted to be prepared and I wanted to be able to provide the client with insight right away. I spent a few days going through their documents, taking detailed notes, and pulling together resources I felt might be beneficial. Luckily, they had already provided a detailed description of their needs and what they hoped to get out of the experience. It allowed me to tailor my preparations specifically for that client.
I can remember exactly how I felt after it was all said and done. I sat at my desk for a solid five minutes after our call ended, thinking to myself, “Yes, this. I’m meant to do this.”
Something that many people don’t think about is how solitary writing can be. Even if you’re working with a writing partner, when it comes down to it, it’s you with a pencil or laptop, pulling scenes out of your head and onto a blank page. Most of the time, there’s no one around to discuss scenes with or listen as you try to talk your way through a plot hole.
However, with a coach, that’s a different story.
When you work with an author coach, you have someone’s undivided attention. You have a fellow author who has been where you are and understands the intricacies of writing. In addition, you have a chance to learn and grow as a writer from someone with, not only experience but a different perspective than your own.
I stand by the statement that feedback is the best way for creatives to evolve. The adage “write what you know” is good advice to a degree. I understand the sentiment behind it, however, if you are only writing what you know then you're missing a golden opportunity to expand your perspective.
This is often why you find writers who are known for one genre to branch out into something completely different. Because writing the same type of story over and over again can grow stale or feel as though you aren’t stretching those creative muscles.
Trying something new opens doors and exposes you to different avenues of storytelling, and with it, new audiences.
Another benefit of coaching is the chance to receive not just feedback on your work but in-depth discussions. How many of us writers want to discuss our work? How many of us want to sit down with someone and take notes on their thoughts and feelings while reading your story?
A lucky few have friends and family to be that for them, however, many of us don't, and receiving messages such as, “It was good” or “I liked it” without any in-depth follow-up can be frustrating, at least for me.
Even if someone didn't like my work I'd still want to hear why. If anything, I want to hear more from them because, if it's personal preference, that's their prerogative and I understand not everything I write is going to be to everyone's taste. However, if it has to do with the structure of the story, lack of clarity, or anything of that nature, those things I can fix. Those things can be adjusted in the future and serve as a learning tool.
The wonderful authors I've had the pleasure of coaching have all been passionate and eager to get their stories out. The fact that I've been able to assist them with their goal is indescribable.
It makes me wonder how many silent writers or creators there must be in the world. How many people with the right circumstances and support would be able to share the story they've been holding inside?
As an author coach, that has been my driving force to do what I do. I want to hear people's stories. I want to help them find the right words and discover, or in some cases rediscover, the joys of the creative process by taking some of the nitty-gritty details off their plate.
Feeling scattered? I'll help you organize your notes and provide a template for an outline. Unable to find time to write? We can look at your schedule and discuss solutions that work with the pacing of your life. Not sure of your audience or the specifics of the genre you wish to explore? I've got the research and the details ready to share.
Because writing isn't just about putting words on paper it's about sharing a part of yourself and being brave enough to be that vulnerable for others.
I'm not here to judge, I'm not here to hound you or make you write every day, because I know from experience that isn't always realistic. I'm here to listen and help in whatever capacity you're comfortable with.
More importantly, I'm here to remind you that regardless of the story you are telling, first and foremost, you should be writing for yourself. So long as you keep that in mind, the rest will come naturally.
