LET'S WORK TOGETHER

 

After teaching 'Crafting the Story' for 10+ years through Green River College and publishing 11 novels, 2 short story books, and 3 nonfiction books on Amazon, I understand better than most how hard it is to go from a great story idea to a finished product. There are a multitude of decisions to make, and writers often get lost in their story structure, characterization, POV, how to begin and/or end their books, and more.

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MY ROLE: Sometimes all you need is the opportunity to talk through all of the above with someone who has more experience. Because of my teaching background, I specialize in new writers who either have a great idea and don't know where to start, have begun writing and gotten stuck, or who have finished a first draft and need help making it the best it can be. 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 critical (and possibly missing) plot points,

• find the perfect opening 'hook' that will grab readers' attention,

• clarify the strongest and most memorable ending for your reader,

• navigate the many decisions necessary to move your story forward,

• and finally, practice certain writing techniques that will make your writing stronger and more compelling.

 

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 as valuable as possible. Your first goal is to set your ego aside so that you can accept honest feedback on your work. I know it's tough. I've been there. All writers have. But you can do it. Secondly, I hope you will strive to listen and absorb ideas, tools, and techniques that may be new to you. Lastly, you will pick those that resonate with you to employ them going forward. After all, this is your book. It is not my job to 'tell' you how to write it, but rather to show you opportunities to make it better. 

 

HOW WE DO IT: I offer book coaching through video chat. Each session is from 30-60 minutes long. The first introductory call is free, while we explore what your needs are, and how I can help you move forward. From there, you will pick the 'package' that 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. 

 

Please note: Coaching often only takes one or two sessions to clarify your next steps, so check out the individual coaching sessions first. This is a good place to start to get to know me and get your feet on the ground before you commit to something more long-term. Also, you'll notice that my fees are lower than many other coaches. That's because technically I'm retired and don't need to replace a full-time income. I'm doing this because I love helping people realize their dreams.​

 

INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS:​

These meetings are designed to allow you to get to know me, while also getting a sense of where your strengths and opportunities for improvement lie so that you can make an educated decision on how to proceed. Note: You may repeat individual sessions as many times as desired.

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• one 30-minute coaching session plus 20 pages (double-spaced) of copy review $55

• one 60-minute coaching session plus 35 pages (double-spaced) of copy review $85

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ORDER YOUR INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS HERE:

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30-minute package

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60-minute package

 

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COACHING PACKAGES: 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 three different packages that you can use separately or in unison. Look for the order button below where you can pick your package. Contact me if you'd like to order more than one package, and I'll offer you a discount.

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PACKAGE 1

CRAFTING YOUR STORY

Mapping out the story line

​$125/week for 4 weeks (Total $500)

 

So many students have come to me with, “I have a great idea for a book.” But an idea does not a book make! There are a multitude of questions you need to answer before you even begin, such as selecting your protagonist/antagonist, type of plot, point-of-view, setting, story format, types of conflicts, inciting moment (trigger), climax (story highpoint), theme, etc.

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Facing these questions can literally paralyze writers so they never write that story. It just remains on their bucket list. 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 and feel as if you’re ready to begin writing with confidence. The four weeks include:

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• initial, 20-minute call to create a work schedule for us

• initial 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, and more

• discussion of the book’s theme, potential logline, and encapsulating your vision for your story

• brainstorming on ‘how’ to structure your 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 at each deadline

• 60-minute monthly coaching call to discuss feedback and next steps

• timely access to me via email or text

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PACKAGE 2

HELP! I’M A NEW WRITER

Becoming a stronger writer

$125/week for 4 weeks (Total $500)

 

There’s a difference between being a strong writer and a good storyteller. While many students might feel confident in pulling together the story components, they lack the kind of writing skills that draw readers into the story and compel them to keep turning pages until the very end. While I won’t teach you how to write (I assume you know the basics of good grammar and sentence structure), I will teach you the type of writing techniques that professional writers use to tell compelling stories. These include the concepts of ‘show, don’t tell,’ passive vs active writing, proper story/dialogue formatting, how to create tension and atmosphere, pacing, creating cliff hangers, writing effective hooks, how to deploy exposition & avoid info dumps, etc.

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Through a series of regular exercises and conversations, you’ll learn how to avoid the pitfalls beginning writers often fall into, how to do some self-editing, and how to create a strong narrative.

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• initial, 20-minute call to create a work schedule for us

• initial review of 20-30 pages of narrative

• work plan based on review of your pages

• exercises/instruction/discussion on the types of writing techniques that will strengthen your writing

• establish regular deadlines and benchmarks to keep you on track

• detailed notes from me at each deadline

• 60-minute monthly coaching call to discuss feedback and next steps

• Timely access to me via email or text

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PACKAGE 3

REVISING YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Getting it ready for an editor​

$125/week for 4 weeks (total $500)

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You might think that once you've finished your draft, the manuscript​ is ready for an editor. You couldn't be more wrong. You'll save money, time, and heartache if you hand off the most polished draft possible to the editor. Plus, it will make you a better writer second time around.

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This package includes submitting 30 pages weekly for review. First week, first 50 pages. Second week, 50 pages of your choice approximately one-third of the way through the manuscript. Third week, 50 pages at or around the 3/4 mark. And, fourth week, last fifty pages. Each week also includes a 45-60 minute video call. In this type of review, I will be looking for:

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• possible plot holes

• weak characterization

• weak dialogue

• poor formatting

• changing POVs

• Info dumps

• passive writing

• too much telling vs showing

• excessive use of adjectives

• author intrusion

• and more

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ORDER PACKAGES 1-3 HERE

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PACKAGE 4

YOUR TIME/YOUR WAY SESSIONS

Keeping you on track

$75/month for 6 months ($450)

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These sessions are held once a month with a single 45-60 minute video call. They are meant to check in on you, help to keep you on track (many writers quit before they finish), answer questions, review up to 20 pages of manuscript, and discuss problems you're encountering along the way. This is your time, so you get to craft the time in the way that will help you the most. We'll start with a free 20-minute call to determine what your priority needs are and the best way to proceed. While you don't have to have booked one of the other sessions or packages with me, it's better if I'm familiar with you, your writing style, and what you're writing in advance.

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ORDER PACKAGE 4 HERE:

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