Do I Need a Writing Coach?

 By Larry Leech

 

While writing can be an exciting experience, it also can be lonely and full of pitfalls if one tries to figure it out on their own. Yes, we can find instructional videos on YouTube and read countless blogs, articles, and books about writing. But nothing compares to the personal interaction with a industry veteran who is willing to help another writer. That’s why the use of a coach has become more prevalent.

Three reasons why you should hire a coach:

Encouragement

Even though the goal of a coach is to make you and your writing better, authors love—and need—positive feedback. A good coach will include positive feedback in each review.  

Guidance

A coach can brainstorm ideas and even the next handful of chapters. This will keep you on the right path with your story or message.

Accountability

Meeting on a regular basis will keep you moving forward. It’s easy to write only when we’re motivated, but being accountable to another will push you forward quicker to finish your project.

How a Coach Can Help You:

For fiction and memoir, which I included because memoir is a blend of journalism (the facts of who, what, when, where, and why) and fiction (all the techniques used for the reader to live the story).

Dialogue

Ensure the dialogue is believable. In contemporary fiction, all characters must sound like their age group (a female teenager shouldn’t speak like a sixty-something male). Likewise, in historical fiction, characters cannot use contemporary language. In most historical fiction, the dialogue needs to match the language of the era. Also, a coach can help with stilted dialogue, tone before dialogue (very important so the dialogue is read in the intended tone), and dialogue tags, to name a few.

Setting

Help anchor the characters in the scene. Each character needs anchored so they don’t feel like they float around in space or appear out of thin air.

Description

Guarantee you have the right amount. Too much description can bog down the reader with unnecessary details. Too little can keep them from seeing the person or scene.

Character Arc / Development

Show you techniques to strengthen your characters into memorable people your readers won’t soon forget. Think Jack and Rose from Titanic.

Story Flow / Pacing

Confirm that the story flows at the right pace so the readers don't get bored or worn out. This is where “great writing is based not on what is included, but rather what is left out.” Unnecessary details or information may cause the reader to lose interest.

Beautiful Beginning

Mickey Rooney said years ago, “The beginning of your book sells that book. The ending sells your next book.” This could be applied to the beginning of each scene or chapter. Some coaches will spend a session or two on just the beginnings of scenes or chapters, as well as the ending of each.

Fantastic Finish

Does each scene or chapter end in a manner that will make the reader want to keep reading. If not, the reader may have found a convenient stopping point, something novelists never want to happen.

Here are some tips for nonfiction:

Story

Will make sure each chapter starts with a short—sometimes personal—story that hooks the reader and draws them into the teaching point.

Point

Will help you present a clear and easy-to-understand point with language that is familiar to the reader. This is a section in which the coach will flag industry language (e.g., Christianese).

Illustration

Will ensure the illustration is clear and concise. An unclear illustration will only confuse the reader.

Takeaway

Will guarantee the chapter has a strong takeaway that includes a call-to-action or reflective questions.

How does one find a coach? Well, let me count the ways.

1. References / recommendations
2. Attend a writers conference

In either situation, I highly recommend you interview the perspective coach. Working with a coach can be a great experience. You need to know you can trust your coach with your message or story.

A few questions to ask: What is their experience? What is their process (e.g., review followed by a Zoom call or just email correspondence)? How often will they meet? Are they willing to brainstorm? Do their clients win awards? Does the coach have repeat customers? Do they cover everything mentioned above? How often do they invoice?

There are other ways to find a coach, but I don’t advocate doing so. I mentioned above the importance of trusting your coach. Finding a coach through internet searches or websites that advertise these services can lead to an unfortunate or frustrating experience.

What is the cost? Because most coaches customize their coaching to the needs of the author, cost can vary from coach to coach and from project to project. Obviously, a coach with 20 years of experience and whose clients have won more than 100 awards will cost more. Coaches who have a heart to help authors will often work within a writer’s budget.

So, if you’re worn out trying to move forward alone, consider hiring a coach. Getting published is a group effort, and finding the right coach will help you enjoy the journey to publication.

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Photo courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.

Larry J. Leech II has been in publishing for nearly 45 years—as a sportswriter and news management at daily newspapers for 23 years before becoming a writing coach of award-winning authors, ghostwriter, and editor in the Christian market. Also, for two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. He currently is Master Book Coach and Acquisitions Editor for Illumify Media.