YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE IF...
A story has taken root in your mind and you feel a *little* like a hostage. That story needs to find its way onto the page (and out of your head) ASAP.
You've always enjoyed writing, have maybe even written a few short stories in secret, but never called yourself a writer and never formally studied how to do it well.
You're struggling with writers block and even when you can find time to write (which is rare) you end up staring at a blank page.
What you have written doesn't sound to you like a "real" book. The dialogue is stilted, the descriptions aren't engaging and the plot is convoluted.
I see you. You are not alone.
Writers come to me when they're struggling with:
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THESE ARE SOLVABLE PROBLEMS
Take a moment and imagine what it will be like to finally publish your story. Picture yourself unboxing that first shipment of bound books with your name on the spine. It's a thing of beauty. And then you get to go out into the world and talk with readers about your story. I can tell you from experience, the four most satisfying words in the english language are "I loved your book."
And the best part? That story is no longer living inside you, nagging to be told, keeping you up at night. And what's more? Now you know how to write a book, the next one comes so much easier. Simply getting across the finish line with that first book means you have stepped over from writer to author.
TO GET THERE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH
The trouble is, if you're like most people, it's probably been years since you did any kind of creative writing. It's quite possibly been decades, and even then, you were probably in school, learning how to write a basic, five-paragraph essay. Very few of us were ever encouraged to think about things like conflict, character, setting, and narrative arcs.
And virtually none of us were ever shown how to tap into a state of creative flow, to cultivate deep creative focus where ideas float up out of nowhere and time seems to warp.
I can teach you all of this, in far less time than you might think.
You don't have to quit your day job. You don't have to go back to school. Truly.
HOW I WORK WITH WRITERS
I am almost always planning some class or workshop, whether it's on developing compelling characters, getting sensory details into your writing or structuring a scene. Check out my Workshops & Retreats page for more information and be sure to check out my free webinar on How to Banish Writer's Block Forever.
The Sit Write Here online community of writers combines weekly group coaching sessions with regular scheduled writing sessions. It's a powerful way to keep yourself accountable, get advice when you need it, and make serious progress toward finishing your manuscript.
My private coaching clients make a six-month commitment to their work. During that time we meet anywhere from once a month to several times a week (depending on the package they opt for). I provide craft lessons, cognitive training, and accountability to help them finally tell their story.
I've been in your shoes...
When I first started out I was working full time and had two little kids. I got up every morning at 5am to write before starting my day and it was exhausting. I wasted a lot of time on things that I didn't need to do, classes that didn't really help, and books that never got to the point, but you know what? Over the course of a decade, I gradually figured out a lot of things.
I finished the book. I found an agent. I wrote a second (far more complex) novel in a fraction of the time it took me to write the first. A short story I wrote was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. My first novel won the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West.
Everything is different now. I've trained myself to engage, at will, in a deep state of focus that helps me to be super creative and productive. Writing is still challenging, but in a fun way. I absolutely love what I do and I've made it my mission to help other writers land in the same place - in far less time. Give me six months and I will make you a writer.
"In the initial 6 weeks I spent working with April I went from 5,800 words to 70,000,
which was my goal for this draft."
- Anne (Fiction)
"Before working with April I really wasn't sure where to even focus my energy. Her program helped me determine that for myself. No 'magic recipes,' no demanded 'steps for success,' just really thoughtful help and guidance."
- Marjie (Memoir)
"Working with April, I could lock the door and tell the kids “it’s going to be one hour.” I’d get it done for the day and it just became a habit… I’d recommend April’s program for any writer looking to get that first draft on the page."
- Eric (Thriller)