These difficult moments are part and parcel of the writing life–the fits and starts, the bursts of creative energy that get you going but don’t always take you over the finish line.
So what’s a writer, stuck in this dread-zone, to do?
How about a writing coach?
What exactly is a writing coach (and what makes them special?)
When you’re stuck, writing coaches help guide you out of the muck and mire. They ensure you type that final period. To help you get there, they become part of the process, working alongside you to keep you on track. Writing coaches work with you collaboratively, and they help you find clarity while building your confidence.
Whether a writing coach is helping you gestate your early work, guiding you through the sagging middle, or working with you to ready a piece for publication, you should always be learning from them. They are there to support you, but also to help you grow as a writer.
For example, I have some clients who hire me to problem-solve trouble spots. In meetings, we discuss craft issues such as plot points, the pros and cons of different types of structure, or character development. Other clients have trouble staying focused, so we set writing and accountability goals. With clients working on book-length projects, I read a set amount of words that they submit, and then we meet twice a month to discuss the work.
During our meetings, my clients and I also address what’s helping or hindering them as they write, artistically or personally. Once we identify that, we troubleshoot solutions. For example, some of my clients find their work progresses better if they have short bursts every day. Others discover that they need one long stretch once a week to get the work done.
Why do writers get stuck?
According to author Eric Maisel, all humans face an inherent contradiction when it comes to creativity. Creativity is how we express our potential and deploy our uniqueness. Creating something makes us feel “whole, useful and devoted.” At the same time, anxiety creeps in. Back when we were cave people, we didn’t have the luxury to sit around wondering about the meaning of life or our own self-worth. But today, when we have time to sit down to create, other thoughts can and do intrude. As Maisel points out, anxiety can hit us at any stage of the creative process. It can start with a spark of a creative idea, manifest as we choose and embrace a creative life, and even rear its ugly head again as we finish a project. In between those stages most of us negotiate mountains of anxiety: ego bruising, rejection, not mattering, failing!
How does that anxiety manifest specifically in writers?
Perfectionism, worry about plot holes, fear of being bad, succumbing to imposter syndrome, comparing ourselves to other writers whom we deem so much better, and, worst case, feeling like we have nothing to say.
Believe it or not, all of this is universal. And normal.
Writing coaches, more than anything, want to help you get past this doubt. They are an outside voice to remind you that your message is important. To remind you of your strengths. And to give you confidence to plunge back in to work on areas that need more attention.
Conquering the negative, anxiety-producing inner voices and moving projects forward with kindness is one of my specialties.
You can read more about the topic of feeling stuck in Mastering Creative Anxiety, from my Substack newsletter, Under the Red Pen.
What kind of feedback does a writing coach provide?
I strongly believe that a good writing coach will provide feedback based on your needs and where you are in the process. For example, if you are in the very early stages of drafting a book, a coach should focus on conceptual topics: Do you have enough plot points, what structure is emerging from the work, are the characters coming alive on the page? If you are farther along with a solid draft, we might dive into the finer details, such as organization and language, or how form and function speak to one another. If your work is almost ready for submission, we might work on line edits, making sure every comma, period and semicolon are where they need to be.
Are writing coaches the same as therapists?
While not therapists, writing coaches have a deep knowledge of how characters – in fiction and nonfiction – must be created to feel realistic on the page. They apply that craft knowledge to help you succeed at making your characters come alive. Many writing coaches are writers themselves, and have spent years wrestling to move ideas from their heads to the page. They have experienced the myriad ups and downs of the writing process and writing life. As writing coaches, they bring this accumulated wisdom, gathered and synthesized over the years, to help you make your writing process smoother.
How do I know if using a writing coach is the right approach for me?
If you’re not sure, you can always try a writing coach for one or two sessions and see how it feels. Most coaches will offer a preliminary consultation so you can get to know them, and many will offer a trial session before you have to buy a whole package.
After the session, ask yourself: Do you feel inspired to keep writing? Did you receive valuable insights into your work that you hadn’t seen before? Did you look at your work from a different angle?
And do a gut check. When we write, we make ourselves vulnerable. Coaching is transactional, but the best coaches forge a personal relationship that grows over time. You should look forward to the meetings and walk away feeling inspired.
Final Thoughts
A good writing coach will always find a way to give feedback that makes you feel supported and encouraged. If they’ve done their job well, you will leave the session excited to keep going and eager to take your work to the next level.
Keep in mind that most writers feel frustrated. A lot. It comes with the territory of being a writer. Writing is hard, but we do it because we love it. And we have something important to say.
Just remember: only you can tell the story that you want to tell.
Why not let a coach help you finish it?
FAQs
What does a writing coach do that I can’t do myself?
Writing coaches are cheerleaders, guides, champions, advocates, promoters, and supporters of your work. They help pick you up off the floor when you feel like you want to throw your manuscript in the toilet. They cheer you on when you hit milestones. They bring experience and expertise as writers, editors, readers, teachers and as members of the literary community.
Is a writing coach the same as an editor?
No. A writing coach can and often will do some editing either as part of the project or as an additional service, but their primary function is to help you progress with your work and provide support.
Can a writing coach really help with writer’s block?
Writer’s block is an old-fashioned term for anxiety. If you think you have writer’s block, it probably means that you are overly anxious about some aspect of your work. A skilled writing coach will help identify the origins of that anxiety, provide you with exercises to break through it, then help you identify new approaches that can minimize future anxiety. So, in a nutshell, yes!
How much does a writing coach cost?
The cost of a writing coach varies depending on the size of the project and the length of time you work together. Writing coaches generally charge between $75 and $200 per hour, depending on experience. They also offer monthly and long-term packages based on the scope of work that can range from $500 to $2,500 per month.
What kind of writers benefit most from coaching?
Anyone! But especially writers who find themselves isolated, stuck, insecure, unsure and/or want someone to help guide them through any aspects of the writing process. And thrives being part of a collaborative, supporting one-on-one relationship that is rewarding in itself in addition to helping you get your job done.
How do I choose the right writing coach for me?
- Visit the websites of coaches who look like a good fit. Poke around their sites to get a feel for their style.
- Identify your needs. Are you looking for help with time management, story structure, motivation? Does the coach seem skilled at the areas with which you want assistance?
- Review testimonials. What traits do clients emphasize about the coach? Do these match what you’re looking for?
- Research the coach’s qualifications. What is his or her specialty? A coach who specializes in horror and thrillers might not be best if you are writing a memoir.
- Arrange a get-to-know you consultation call. Then evaluate: Does he or she ask you smart questions? Listen well to what you want? Have the flexibility that you need?
- Trust your instinct. If the writing coach looks great on paper but doesn’t feel right, move on. Good communication and a strong connection are imperative for a successful coach-client relationship.
If you are interested in learning more about our coaching services, please reach out to book a free 30 minute consultation with us.
Diana Friedman is an award-winning author, editor and writing coach whose creative writing has appeared in literary journals, newspapers, blogs, and popular press magazines. Diana enjoys helping writers re-discover and nurture their artistic and creative selves through personalized coaching. She currently facilitates summer creative writing retreats in the Basque Pyrenees near San Sebastian, Spain, and winter and spring writing retreats at Zigbone Farm Retreat Center, an hour from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, She writes a newsletter, Under the Red Pen, and is currently co-editing an anthology of short fiction from Maryland.