Writers: have you noticed that as you grow your craft, you often start to recognize how the sausage of the story is made when reading or watching stories for pleasure? For me, that means I inadvertently ruin the plots of movies for my family. Several years ago, my curious 12-year-old asked about the story structureContinue reading “As I Grow in Craft Knowledge, I Worry I’m Ruining Stories for Others”
Tag Archives: book coaching
That time I coached my kid…
I am no athlete, so any coaching support for our children’s athletic endeavors was left to my husband who is an equal opportunity sports fanatic. So the opportunity to coach my kids has so far passed me by. Until this year. The year of the college application essay. The oldest insisted he was fine. HeContinue reading “That time I coached my kid…”
You may be wondering…
….how can I work with Monica? Let me answer your question with a question: are you just starting a new story or in the midst of revision? Either way, I’ve got you covered! Start Your Novel with Confidence Consider this your quick start to drafting with a safety net. We will work together to answerContinue reading “You may be wondering…”
Favorite Investment: A Writer’s Retreat
Last week I went on a writer’s retreat with three writing friends. I packed up my suitcase, my laptop, my manuscript notes, my highlighters, my sticky notes, and my good attitude and headed for Pine Knoll Shores, NC. I turned on an out of office message, cleared the decks of coaching work, and prepared toContinue reading “Favorite Investment: A Writer’s Retreat”
Writing Mindset: Slow Down to Go Faster
Slow down to go faster. We all know the fable of the tortoise and the hare: The moral of the story: Slow and steady wins the race. Unfortunately we live in a society that values busyness and productivity. We boast when we have busy schedules. We celebrate multitasking. We go and go and go andContinue reading “Writing Mindset: Slow Down to Go Faster”
Are You Making This Revision Mistake?
Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or maybe a plantser? Writers are asked this question all the time about whether they discovery write, follow intricate outlines, or use some combination of the two to write their rough drafts. And everyone has an opinion. 🙋 But here’s the mistake you might be making…are you pantsingContinue reading “Are You Making This Revision Mistake?”
Back to School/Back to Revising & Best of August
It’s back to school week here for my kids. I find this time of year more inspiring work-wise than the new year, honestly. When I was a kid, Fall was our chance to try on different parts of our personality as we experienced new friends, subjects, and interests. Each year was a new beginning filledContinue reading “Back to School/Back to Revising & Best of August”
These Are the Writers I Won’t Work With
I love helping writers. Well, most of them. I learned the hard way that not all writers are created equal. And I don’t mean talent. I mean mindset. I had a client once who won a 20-page critique in a giveaway I did for an organization close to my heart. This client came to meContinue reading “These Are the Writers I Won’t Work With”
My Latest Netflix Obsession and Character Development
Two weeks ago, I had gum surgery. Not fun. My second this year. I planned ahead and cleared the decks for the week. Luckily, this go-round was much easier than the first and my second day in, I felt confident I could return to some projects I had set aside for this recovery week. YouContinue reading “My Latest Netflix Obsession and Character Development”
How I Got Unstuck From My Writing Rut
I have been S-T-U-C-K in my manuscript the past few weeks. As context, I started doing the pre-work for this manuscript before the holidays and started drafting in mid-February. The last month or two, I’ve been so close to the end of this initial draft and yet the actual end started feeling farther and fartherContinue reading “How I Got Unstuck From My Writing Rut”