Story Coaching:
The Story's the Thing

You may have heard it said that humans are wired for stories. It's true. Research has proven that chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin are released in the brain when we read stories that we enjoy and/or that have characters we empathize with.

And, let's face it. Storytelling is all the rage today. Whether it's in business, marketing, or even fundraising, professionals are deploying the art of storytelling to grab and hold an audience's attention and then move them to action.

Who am I to talk about storytelling?

I've been focused on storytelling since I was a kid, writing my first short story in the fifth grade. After achieving my master's degree in theater (in directing), spending 35+ years in the nonprofit world raising millions of dollars, teaching 'Crafting the Story' for 10+ years through Green River College, publishing 11 mystery novels, 2 short story books, and 3 nonfiction books on Amazon, and then launching my own freelance writing company and writing speeches and fundraising letters for people all over the world, I know a little more than the average person about how to tell a good story.

I believe there is an art and a science to good storytelling. The science involves certain elements necessary for a story to satisfy a reader, while the art of storytelling involves 'how' you assemble and/or weave those elements together to achieve the results you desire.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

I specialize in storytelling. Whether you need help writing something that will attract customers, a speech that will inspire a room filled with hundreds of people, or help finishing a novel, I can help.

Perhaps you've already spent hours slaving away at writing your first draft but are now struggling to make the story compelling. Perhaps your narrative or your characters feel flat. Maybe your story doesn't build the way you hoped it would. Or you can't figure out how to make it inspiring. You may even have trouble coming up with a satisfying ending.

You're frustrated. I get it. I have been right where you are. Most writers have.

I work with only a limited number of clients at a time who are looking for a writing partner and someone who understands the frustration of getting the story right. I can help you to identify ways in which to improve and/or strengthen your story. I can also help to find patterns of writing that block your ability to engage your audience. I can also help you wade through the variety of decisions it takes to make a story complete. This is where many get lost in the process.

Tali Sarnetzky: "My experience working with Lynn was fantastic.She gave me invaluable feedback, made great suggestions and helped me think of alternative options for my story. Her approach is supportive and helpful. This is a coach who is truly in your corner and would like you to do your best. I'm sure I'll be seeking her advice in the future again."

MY ROLE: Sometimes all you need is the opportunity to talk through your idea and what you've written with someone who has more experience. I'm a teacher at heart. And because of that background, I tend to specialize in writers who either have a great idea and don't know where to start, or have begun writing and gotten stuck. Think of me as your personal trainer. Together, we can:

chart your basic story arc,
brainstorm to find options you may not have thought of,
discuss how to strengthen weak characters,
identify and plug missing plot points,
find the perfect opening 'hook' that will grab the audiences' attention,
clarify the strongest and most memorable beginning and ending for your reader,
navigate the many decisions necessary to move your story forward.

DISCLAIMER: I cannot promise you publishing success. Although I have extensive writing and teaching experience, writing is a subjective enterprise. Therefore, while I will do all that I can to help you craft the best book possible, I cannot guarantee outcomes for either future traditional or self-publishing efforts.

YOUR ROLE: Yes, you have a role to play to make this relationship work. Your first goal is to set your ego aside so that you can accept honest feedback. Writing is intensely personal, and it's often tough to have someone pick it apart. But I'm not here to 'red line' your copy. I'm not an editor. I'm here to help you improve the structure, flow, and emotional impact of your story.

Secondly, I hope you will strive to absorb ideas, tools, and techniques that may be new to you.

Lastly, this is your story, whether it's a short fiction, a novel, or a speech. It is not my job to 'tell' you how to write it, but rather to show you opportunities to make it better and then let you choose what feels right to you.

Kim Wright: "Lynn Bohart truly excels in providing top-notch writing advice, with her exceptional professionalism and keen attention to detail. Her deep understanding and quick responsiveness make working with her an absolute pleasure. I'm immensely thankful for her support as I navigate my first novel—her positive criticism is a lifeline on this steep learning curve."

HOW WE DO IT: We will conduct an initial, free introductory call to discuss your needs and how I might help you move forward. From there, you will pick either one (or more) of the individual sessions or the monthly package, whichever makes the most sense to you. My overall goal will be to help quiet the chatter in your head and get you focused on mapping out the story and characters to achieve your dream.

INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS:

Each call is a 40-minute zoom call designed as a teaching/coaching session to help you understand 'how' to use the different storytelling techniques and why they are so important. Before each session, I will send you material about the topic(s) to be covered. Your job will be to read through the material and come to the call prepared with questions.

During the call, we will go over ways to deploy the technique(s), while reviewing specific examples. We can even use your own writing. This is the time to ask questions and dive deep into why these techniques can improve your success.

Note: You may order up to three (3) of the individual sessions at one time.

Once I receive payment, I'll reach out to confirm which session(s) you want. You many also ask for a 'specialized' session based on your particular needs. We can determine that during the free call. I'm also open for reduced price follow-up calls on specific topics.

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING TOPICS:

Includes discussion, examples, and how it relates to your story

1) STORY PREMISE AND STORY ARC: What’s the premise of your story, where/how does it start, what is the story’s climax, and how does it come to a satisfying conclusion?

2) STORY STRUCTURE: Discussion of the three-act story structure, including the inciting moment, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

3) CREATING COMPELLING CHARACTERS: protagonist/antagonist/secondary characters

4) UNDERSTANDING THE PROTAGONIST’S DRIVING NARRATIVE: How to put the story into motion and keep it there.

5) GRABBING & HOLDING A READER’S ATTENTION: a discussion on techniques designed to keep a reader turning pages.

6) EFFECTIVE USE OF DIALOGUE: using dialogue to reveal important character information, drive action, and draw readers in.

7) EFFECTIVE USE OF SETTING: discuss how to use setting as more than a backdrop for your story.

8) IMPORTANT WRITING TECHNIQUES: explore how to effectively deploy the concepts of show-don’t tell, passive vs active writing, and exposition.

9) SESSION OF YOUR CHOICE: We will discuss in advance a specific topic or topics you'd like to explore/discuss during this session.

ORDER ONE-ON-ONE SESSION by clicking HERE:

After you order a one-on-one session, I will contact you to confirm which topic(s) you are interested in. While you may order up to three (3) individual sessions at a time, I prefer to explore one topic at a time before moving onto the next.

MONTHLY COACHING PACKAGE:

Many coaches offer coaching packages that run 4 months or more. I don't do that. You don't need to spend a lot of money and lock yourself into a long-term agreement to get where you want to go. I offer a one month package to get you from idea to 'ready to write.' Contact me if you'd like to order a 'personalized package,' based on your specific needs of if you'd like to extend this package.

Crafting Your Story

Mapping out the story line

$95/week for 4 weeks (Total $380)

So many students have come to me with, “I have a great idea for a story/book,” but they just don't know how to get started or they've written twenty pages and gotten stuck. There are a multitude of questions you need to answer before you begin your story. Unfortunately, facing these questions can literally paralyze writers so they never write the story. My goal will be to walk you through the process over the course of four weeks so that by the end, you will have a clear vision of how your story will unfold, a basic story outline, and the confidence to begin writing with gusto. The four weeks include:

-initial 20-minute call to review/revise a basic work schedule

-review of 20-pages of narrative--(if you have them)

-a work plan based on your stated vision, goals, and narrative review

-instruction/discussion on the basics of story structure, character

development, point-of-view, scene construction, the book’s premise,

theme, and your vision for your story

-brainstorming on the best way to structure your particular story; where

to begin, how to unfold the story, where/how to end

-establish regular deadlines and benchmarks to keep you on track

-detailed notes from me

-up to two 40-minute weekly coaching calls to discuss feedback and next

steps

-timely access to me via email or text

ORDER MONTHLY PACKAGE by clicking HERE:

(Included with both the individual coaching sessions and monthly package is your choice of any one of my micro eBooks on writing for free.)

Process for getting started with coaching:

1) My goal is to be as helpful to you as possible, so I require everyone to fill out a very short questionnaire to let me know what you are writing and what kind of help you think you need. Then, we will schedule a free call to make sure we're a good fit.

2) Once we determine that working together is a go, please read the terms and conditions by clicking below, and then you can order the coaching session or package of your choice by clicking on the appropriate button. You will be taken to Thrivecart where you will complete your purchase. Once I'm notified, I'll be in touch to let you know how to proceed.

TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CALL, SEND ME A NOTE BELOW so that we can get started. I look forward to working with you.

Story Coaching: The Story's the Thing