Coaching for Creative Writers

THE DEAL: No BS about your MS

My nickname is the Brutal Cheerleader because I will be your biggest cheerleader while you work towards your goals, but I will also be brutally (but nicely) honest about your writing - its strengths and weaknesses, and those of the poems or prose you produce. I am not a 'yes' person. I will not only point out what is great about your work. That will get you nowhere. No one is a perfect writer. We all have our flaws and bad habits. If you've come to me to improve your writing and I don't point these flaws and bad habits out, then I'm not honoring our agreement, I'm not respecting you as a writer, and I'm not earning my fee! And, in the end, you're not becoming more skilled, which will be reflected in your work.

That said, let me stress again that I will give your work the same energy, care, and attention I give my own. It deserves nothing less. It's very exciting to me when everything comes together and the best version of the piece is realized - one that reflects the voice and goal of my client. Helping you make that happen is my priority.

After the many years I've spent both leading workshops and participating in them, I know how to convey to you what is and isn't working in your writing in a positive, respectful way. Writing is so personal; it comes from our deepest self, from our hearts, and we so strongly identify with it that any critique can be hard to take. I use the word 'critique' because it covers what I do: appreciation, analysis, evalutation. If you are ready to step back and explore and be challenged, then contact me and let's get started. And rest assurred that you and your writing are safe with me.

COACHING:

Sign up for one-on-one coaching sessions of one to two hours, your choice (once a week or twice a month). You and I will work together on your poems or short fiction or that novel or memoir (or blog entries - anything and everything!) whatever your goal:

• experimentation, exploration, and FUN
• recording family memories and stories
• creating a portfolio for a MFA application
• polishing a MFA thesis
• submission to an editor or agent, or to a contest
• skill development

You don't need to have a plan to start working with me - we can discover and create one together, tailored to your needs and skill level. Our sessions can be as structured, or as fluid, as you like. I will act as your guide through the process, and promise to both challenge and inspire you, as well as respect your voice and style.

Please note that for a one hour session, I will need another hour to read and evaluate your work prior to our meeting. For a two hour session, I will need two hours, as there will, naturally, be more of your writing to prepare. I will work with people online who can't meet in person.

The fee is $30/per hour and breaks down as follows:

One hour session/one hour prep = 5 poems or 20-25 pages of prose.. (Cost = $60)

Two hour session/ two hour prep = 10 poems or 40-50 pages of prose. (Cost = $120)

Payment is required at the time of our meeting.

CRITIQUE/EDITING/PROOFREADING:

Need help editing your manuscript in order to submit it to an agent, publisher, or contest? I'd love to work with you on this project, helping to trim and clarify the work until only your bright, genuine, unique voice remains. I will critique your work by offering thoughtful, considerate, but thorough interpretations and suggestions. You will receive a written evaluation of its strong points, as well as a detailed critique about characters, plot, voice, pacing, structure and quality of writing, pointing out where the writing went smoothly and was effective, and making suggestions on ways to improve the parts that need rewriting. I will work with people online who can't meet in person.

Cost is $2.50 per page, which includes a two hour meeting (by phone or in person) to discuss the manuscript, written summary of comments and suggestions, and any follow up emails.

Two-thirds of the fees are required in advance of the evaluation, the rest (via invoice) upon completion of the project, our meeting, and your satisfaction with the results. Please note that this only applies to a full manuscript critique. Partial manuscript critique requires payment in full.

WORKSHOPS:

I teach workshops for teens and adults in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In these sessions we discuss and analyze the work of successful poets and writers, explore elements of craft, try our hand at writing exercises and learn how to best read our work aloud. We write and critique each other's work in a safe, supportive, but challenging environment. Announcements about readings in the area and contests will be made, as well as tips and suggestions on how to best submit your work to literary magazines.

Please go to www.whwnwriters.com for class schedules and to register.

Whether you choose a workshop, coaching, or editing services, I'll help to sharpen your poetry and/or prose, help you with plot and structure or elements of form, tune your dialogue, teach you the fundamentals of craft, help prepare a manuscript for submission, or accompany you in an exploration of the art with exercises and projects. Whether the goal is publication or simply gathering a record of a period in your life for yourself, family, and friends, I will respect and honor your unique voice and gifts.

There's no time like the present to further your dream of being the best writer you can be.

It's never to late to be what you might have been. -- George Eliot