The picture above is a peek at some of my craft books.
I LOVE craft books! Books about writing? I mean does it get better than that? Not for me.
I bet you have a shelf like that, too.
Craft books are as individual as the writer who writes them.
One book may work for me and my brain and be clear as mud to yours.
For instance, there is a book on my shelf that I loved while reading. The concepts made total sense to me. I thought for sure it would revolutionize my process.
When I applied it to my writing, however?
Let’s just say I had to rewrite that entire draft from scratch. It didn’t work for me in practice at all.
There is no one size fits all solution to writing.
Sorry.
Whether it’s a craft book or a book coach, not everything will work for everybody.
When I work with writers, I do my best to meet the writer where they are and provide the type of coaching and advice they need. Sometimes that pushes me out of my comfort zone, and oftentimes that pushes the writer out of theirs.
But other times?
We might not jive. And that’s okay.
I created an intake process where we can learn about each other, the writer’s goals, my process, and find the right fit BEFORE we invest our time and money in each other. If we aren’t a fit, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a good writer or that I’m not a good coach. It just means we aren’t right for each other.
In the same way that particular craft book didn’t work for me but helped other writers I know write brilliant books. (Seriously, I don’t know why it didn’t work for me.)
Make sure you are looking for the right fit to support your writing.
Find the craft books, the critique partners, the beta readers, the coaches, the editors, who speak your language.
BUT DO NOT look for only the ones who echo what you want to hear.
Make sure your chosen resources challenge you to make your writing better, but that they do so in a way that you respond well to.
A friend once told me about an experience with an editor who only pointed out what wasn’t working. She didn’t offer any positive comments because “you paid me to find what was wrong.” That kind of approach might work for many writers but would not be right for me (as a writer or a coach, to be honest). I learn from seeing what I’m doing right as much as from finding out what needs improvement.
Know yourself and how you work.
❓ Are you a visual or an auditory learner?
❓ Do you want a mix of positive and challenging feedback?
❓ Do you want help brainstorming solutions?
❓ Do you like to experiment and play with your writing?
❓ How much time does it take you to write or revise a scene?
❓ Do you like to dive deep on a topic?
❓ Do you want hand holding or a simple nudge in the right direction?
Once you understand what works best for you, gather as much info as you can for all the resources you allow into your life.
There is no one right way. Just your way.
Learn it. Own it. And grow from it.
Happy Writing!
Curious about book coaching and want to see if we’re a good fit for each other? I offer free, 20-minute discovery calls where we can chat about your project and get to know each other.