Okay, writers, you’re setting off onto the page with a new idea or you are staring at a stack of pages ready to carve out a revised story from your latest draft. I’ve written before about what a book coach is, when to use one, and how I approach the work. But you may stillContinue reading “Do You Need a Book Coach?”
Tag Archives: Writing Community
My Book Coaching Philosophy
What is it like to work with a book coach? More specifically, what is it like to work with me as your book coach? Working with me on your project means that you have someone on your side who: Only you can write this story. Only you have the ultimate solutions. Only you can doContinue reading “My Book Coaching Philosophy”
When to Use a Book Coach
Writing a book is a daunting task no matter how many times you’ve done it. Typically, a writer gets an idea–a cheeky bit of dialogue winds its way into their ear, a feeling washes over them in a moment of stillness, or a scene plays out like a movie across their minds–and it’s off toContinue reading “When to Use a Book Coach”
What is a Book Coach?
What is a book coach? Me!! I’m a book coach! Great, Monica. But what does that mean exactly? I’m so glad you asked! Whether you are a new or experienced writer in the outlining, drafting, revising, or even querying stage of the process, a book coach provides personalized guidance to help you meet your writingContinue reading “What is a Book Coach?”
How to Keep Your Story on Track
This month, I’ve written about how to stay on track with your drafts, revisions, queries, and using self-care because after all, you can’t keep writing if you’re burned out. Today, however, I want to talk about craft. How do we keep our stories on track? The short answer? Story trajectory. Your story’s trajectory is theContinue reading “How to Keep Your Story on Track”
Staying on Track: Self-Care for Writers
While I’ve been talking about tips to stay on track during drafting, revising, and querying this month, it’s pretty impossible to stay on track when we’re burned out. Trust me. This week, I’ve been down for the count with a head cold. I haven’t had one in the three years since COVID locked us intoContinue reading “Staying on Track: Self-Care for Writers”
Tips to Keep Writers on Track While Drafting
This month, I want to focus on how we can stay on track as writers. Writing a book is a long, complex process and it is easy to lose our way. If you want to finish your novel, read on for tips to keep you moving forward to “the end” of your story and yourContinue reading “Tips to Keep Writers on Track While Drafting”
Using a Growth Mindset to Make the Most of Feedback on Your Writing
In the second grade, I got a perfect score on my greater than and less than test. A perfect zero. I had mixed up the way the alligator was supposed to open his mouth. In true writer fashion, I’d created a narrative to help me remember and, according to my reasoning, the alligator ATE theContinue reading “Using a Growth Mindset to Make the Most of Feedback on Your Writing”
Good vs. Bad Writing Feedback
There are two kinds of feedback: useful feedback that helps you grow as a writer and strengthens your work OR bad feedback that is impossible to satisfy and doesn’t teach you anything. Bad feedback is: Some examples of bad feedback: “I don’t know why, but I don’t like it.” “The voice needs to be stronger.”Continue reading “Good vs. Bad Writing Feedback”
Feedback: Why Do Writers Need It? (Series 1 of 4)
This month, I want to dive into feedback. What is it? Why do we need it? Where do we find it? How do we use it most effectively? Feedback can be a tricky business for writers. We definitely know we need it, but why? It may seem simple: because we wrote this thing in isolationContinue reading “Feedback: Why Do Writers Need It? (Series 1 of 4)”