Hey writers. There are about 100 days left in 2023. How are those writing goals coming along? If you’re starting to feel a little anxiety around your lack of progress, or worse – if you’re feeling hopeless, it might be time to hire help.
Now, I know that hiring a writing coach isn’t going to be an option available to every writer out there, but keep in mind that there are a lot of options. You can spend thousands of dollars on a writing coach, yes, but you can also join a group coaching program for considerably less. (If you’re interested in joining my online group, book a time for us to chat and I’ll tel you all about it.)
The truth is, writing is not an equipment-intensive activity. We don’t have to buy a lot of stuff, which is awesome. Some word processing software, an internet connection, and bam, you’re good to go. But it is absolutely worthwhile to spend money on help when you need it.
Here are a few situations where hiring a writing coach could be beneficial:
Lack of direction or focus
If a writer is feeling lost or overwhelmed with their writing project, a coach can help provide clarity and guidance. They can help the writer define their goals, create a roadmap, and develop a clear plan of action.
Skill development
A coach can be valuable for writers looking to enhance their writing skills in specific areas such as plot development, character creation, dialogue, or pacing. A coach can provide targeted feedback, suggest resources for improvement, and offer personalized exercises to help the writer grow.
Overcoming creative blocks
Many writers experience periods of creative blockage or self-doubt. A writing coach can offer support and encouragement, help writers identify the underlying causes of their blocks, and provide strategies to overcome them. They can provide accountability and motivation to keep the writing process on track.
Feedback and critique
A coach or editor can provide constructive feedback on a writer’s work, helping them identify strengths and weaknesses. They can offer suggestions for improvement, point out areas that need clarification, and help refine the writer’s voice and style.
Publishing and career guidance
If a writer is seeking to get published or advance their writing career, a coach with industry experience can offer valuable insights and advice. They can help writers navigate the publishing landscape, develop query letters or book proposals, and provide guidance on building an author platform.
Accountability and motivation
A coach can act as a reliable accountability partner, keeping the writer on track and ensuring they meet their writing goals. They can provide motivation, encouragement, and support during challenging times.
Keep writing
Ultimately, the decision to hire a writing coach or editor depends on your individual needs, goals, and budget, but if you’re thinking you might want to, it’s probably time.
Do some google searching, ask around, and book a time to chat with me. If my coaching programs aren’t a good fit for where you’re at, I’ll happily refer you to other coaches, editors, books, and websites that can help you on your journey.
As a non-tribal male, I’ve been working on several fictional short stories about tribal people that I’ve worked with on salmon fisheries- their challenges and successes- failures. I’ve been accused by some of my writing teachers and co-students of appropriating tribal culture, writing as a non-tribal person- even though I had close relationships – with the tribal characters that I’m now fictionalizing. I’m looking for some guidance on this as well as on my craft as a whole.
This is a tough question. While I believe it’s important to be super respectful when we’re writing characters that differ from us in significant ways, I lament the fact that the default these days is to “stay in your lane.” My advice is to write what you feel compelled to write, do a shit-ton of research to make sure you’re getting all your facts right, and then hire beta readers from the group (tribe, culture, social group, etc) that you’re representing and edit according to what they tell you. That’s my short answer. If you’d like to talk more in depth about this, feel free to book a time to chat and I can share more thoughts: https://zcal.co/i/4vxsNtlQ
As a non-tribal male, I’ve been working on several fictional short stories about tribal people that I’ve worked with on salmon fisheries- their challenges and successes- failures. I’ve been accused by some of my writing teachers and co-students of appropriating tribal culture, writing as a non-tribal person- even though I had close relationships – with the tribal characters that I’m now fictionalizing. I’m looking for some guidance on this as well as on my craft as a whole.