Start Your Novel Boot Camp

Are you a public relations or communications professional who always dreamed of writing a novel?

That was me.

Writing is my passion and has been since the second grade, ever since I realized that the names of the books I loved so much belonged to people whose job it was to write these stories. I always wanted to write creatively.

But, and tell me if this sounds familiar, in college I followed a practical path for my writing and went to journalism school with a concentration in public relations. After graduation, I worked in video PR producing video news releases and satellite media tours for a variety of consumer, healthcare, and public affairs clients. I went on to work at a large PR firm in their media relations department touching all kinds of stories. Then, I landed at a start-up in the high school sports space. I loved the variety in my career, finding the right media for telling a story and reaching a specific audience.

I spent my whole career telling other people’s stories.

When my contract ended with the start-up in 2015, I found myself at a crossroads. Instead of jumping immediately into a job search, I decided to give my full attention to writing a novel. (I fully recognize the privilege I had of a supportive spouse with the income at the time to allow me to do this.)

And I wrote a book.

As proud as I was of that first novel, it lives now and forever more in a drawer. It was my practice novel. We all need one. But whew, it wasn’t easy. I was used to writing short pieces like press releases, media releases, and op-eds. A full-length novel was intimidating and I often felt lost in the writing and revision process, unsure of how to learn what I didn’t know, and buried under a stack of craft books.

I often felt alone.

Fast forward a few years and now my day job is focused on helping other writers avoid the same pitfalls. I work with writers who are stuck in their drafting process, need help in revision to make their stories shine, and want to hone an idea into a road map allowing for more efficient first drafts.

My goal is to help writers find the confidence and skills to start and finish the stories in their hearts burning to get out.

Do you have a story?

Have you always dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Have you been carrying around a scene or a character in your head for years? Is a plot persisting in your thoughts during long car trips? Are you filling up journals with ideas to tackle later, when you have “more time?”

The time is now!

This summer, I am hosting a Start Your Novel Boot Camp specifically for PR and communications professionals.

In this three week program you will:

• Learn what questions you need to answer before you start writing
• Complete a Mini-Blueprint for your story to help you get started
• Receive feedback on your answers so you can dig deeper into your story
• Be a part of a private, online writer’s community with other PR/communications professionals where you can ask questions, share ideas, and learn from each other

At the end of the three weeks you will come away with a solid foundation for your story idea, a new community of writers, and the confidence to write forward.

Does this sound perfect for you?

Boot Camp Schedule

*Calls will be recorded and distributed for your review and for those unable to make a live call.

Is the Start Your Novel Boot Camp for You?

If you currently or have ever, worked in the public relations/communications field and you answer yes to ANY of the following:

• You want to write a novel

• You have written a rough draft and now aren’t sure what do with it

• You wish you had a writer’s community who share your challenges, specifically of balancing work writing and creative writing

• You are ready to honor the creative writer inside of you

• You crave a safe place to ask questions about craft and the writing life

• You are curious what it’s like to work with a book coach

• You need guidance about where to start or whether your story idea is ready

Then the Start Your Novel Boot Camp is for you!

I invite you to join me on this three week intensive to honor the creative in you, focus on YOUR story, and dig into writing craft for only $100.

You will learn in a fun and collaborative environment while also setting yourself up for writing success. I will be with you EVERY step of the way. I will present the Mini-Blueprint, provide in-document, individual feedback on each and every submitted blueprint, be present in the online community to answer questions and facilitate conversation, as well as be available for the final video Q&A where you can ask questions about getting started, writing, publishing, balancing day jobs with creative work, whatever you want to know about the writing life!

My goal is to create an environment that honors your creativity while providing you guidance and boosting your confidence so you can tell the story of YOUR heart for a change.

Are you Ready?

Sign Up Before July 30th

What is it like to work with me? Here are just a few comments from my clients:

It was great to work with Monica. She understood the story I was trying to tell. I knew there were things that weren’t working but couldn’t figure out what they were. Monica cut through my confusion, clarified the genre, and showed me exactly where the story needed shoring up.  – Katelin C.

Her feedback really resonated with me as far as areas that needed improvement. With her suggestions and support with brainstorming, I was able to make my manuscript stronger on many fronts. – Claudia A.

I love the questions you ask. This is exactly the kind of probing I need. – Kristi L.