What is it like to work with a book coach on your project? Let’s take a look at some feedback I received from a writer I worked with to get the real feel. “First, the whole process was very professional and thoughtful. Then there was the feedback. It was organized in a way that wasContinue reading “A Book Coach is a Light Switch: You Don’t Have to Write in the Dark!”
Category Archives: book coaching
Broadleaf Writers Conference Recap
Why a gathering of writers is this introvert’s favorite kind of party This summer I went to a birthday party for a friend. On my way, I was nervous. I would know the birthday girl and perhaps one other person there. The rest of the guests? No clue. But I adjusted my side pony (IContinue reading “Broadleaf Writers Conference Recap”
Time to (Re)Introduce Myself
I have been posting on this blog for a long time. It is one of my favorite places to spend time every week. But since it’s been a while, I thought I’d take an opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself…I’m more than just some pixels in your daily scroll. I am aContinue reading “Time to (Re)Introduce Myself”
When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental
Receiving feedback is often just as hard as a rejection. We send off our work to a friend, critique partner, beta reader, editor, and while we do these things for the constructive feedback these readers can impart, there is a large part of ourselves hoping for a gold star. “I found nothing wrong, it’s perfect!Continue reading “When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental”
Back to School = Back to Work…sort of
It’s back to school week here. Routines are filling the calendar. Our alarms are set way earlier. I can feel myself easing back into “real life.” To put a cherry on top, the weather this week is what we like to call around these parts ‘false fall.’ Just under 80, dry, cool mornings. Right now,Continue reading “Back to School = Back to Work…sort of”
Feeling Stuck in Your Writing?
Have you ever felt stuck in your writing? Whether it’s a specific point in your work in progress, or your entire writing process, we often get stuck. I’ve been stuck all summer. There are lots of reasons for it, but stuck is where I am and it is beyond frustrating. So, I get it. InContinue reading “Feeling Stuck in Your Writing?”
Getting Emotion on the Page: Using music as emotional muse
Getting emotion on the page can be one of the hardest parts of our writing craft. It is one of my most common comments when giving feedback to writers and something I find myself going back to layer in as well during my own revisions. Why is it so hard to access this emotion inContinue reading “Getting Emotion on the Page: Using music as emotional muse”
What Monica needs right now…
I received a marketing email with that subject line. While the service described inside that email was not bad, it was definitely NOT what I need right now. What do I need? It’s not a comprehensive list, but a decent sampling of what I need right now. And I know that a service from aContinue reading “What Monica needs right now…”
What’s Your Point?
The first two questions I ask when I start to work with a writer on their story are: There is something that brings us to the page. Some impulse, a nugget, a question. We want to share or educate or entertain or prove to that high school english teacher who told us we weren’t muchContinue reading “What’s Your Point?”
Using character development questions to understand our creative whys
We are the protagonists of our own writing life. So if you’re struggling with your creative goals or sticking to a writing routine, let’s dig into your wants, needs, and writing obstacles to better understand your creative why. Much like our protagonists have an external want and an internal need, so do we as authors.Continue reading “Using character development questions to understand our creative whys”