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What is a writing coach? Coaching writers goes well beyond just being an editor. The coach becomes an integral partner in the writing project. The coach helps the writer define, organize, and then execute the writing project. Like a sports coach, the writing coach is part teacher and big part helpmate and counselor. The coach, while not a disciplinarian like the sports coach, does help writers to learn ways to discipline themselves to make efficient use of time and effort to produce the very best possible end result. Why use a writing coach? Writing and pulling together information for a writing project can be very intimidating for most of us. It is also a very lonely undertaking. The writing coach provides the writer with a helpmate, a person with whom to discuss the project, an expert to assist you personally in writing, self-editing, organization, research, outlining techniques, motivation, focus, goal- setting, and even getting published. The writing coach provides this personal support whether you are writing professional journal articles, research studies, dissertations, fiction/non-fiction, life stories, or memoirs. These are the coaching services I offer: 1. Support, Encouragement, and Accountability. This, like other forms of coaching, involves discussing goals and desires melded with your personal like and career demands and needs. As a coach, I develop a relationship with you that builds on encouragement and also how to practice accountability--not to me--but to your own self and your own goals and individual time agenda. 2. Selecting, Researching, and Organizing. Before one begins it is important to work through exactly what you expect to do and then to set realistic timeframes for accomplishing various tasks that are realistic considering other demands on your time. I offer tricks of the trade in organizing thoughts and source materials for writing. In this phase we move the project from being awesome, and perhaps seeming overwhelming, to pragmatically doable. The preparation for writing is a very vital step that speeds and makes the writing itself easier and helps to avoid frustration. I provide help on ways to provide effective source gathering---from reviewing materials to interviewing others to fact checking. In addition, I coach you on how to narrow down the subject to make it a cohesive whole. I can show you how to do "pre-writing" exercises that will help you when you actually sit down to write. 3. Writing, Rewriting, and Self-Editing. The first step in your writing phase is to create a "living" outline -- one not cast in stone, but that becomes a discipline for your writing. There are many devices to use in creating and working with an outline. Then comes the actual writing. First are regular settings of parameters for what is to be accomplished in each writing session. Also, I will show you a variety of ways to get quickly into the writing mindset at the start of each of your writing sessions. As you go along, I give editorial advice on the fundamentals of writing readable and interesting copy. I will show you ways to put yourself into the reader's chair so that you respond directly to the needs and interests of the reader. A major part of writing, as any good writer can tell you, is doing rewrites and self-editing. Organizing these steps in advance can help you come out with a more professional end product. Most writers love this part of writing the best. I explain what you need to look for in your self-editing and how to determine when to either revise, move copy around, or rewrite. 4. Book-Making. In this part of coaching I can help with designing how the end product will be laid out in a book or booklet format. I can help you find ways to get it published into a book. I can also help you through the necessary steps to obtain your own copyright. If you want to market the book, even to a very small, select group or groups, we can develop together a marketing plan to reach specific audiences for your book. In addition, it is easy today to get a book put on the Internet with a vendor such as Amazon.com that ties into superb search engines. 5. Other Writing/Editing Services. If you desire, I can arrange copyediting -- that is, not editing for style or content, but for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I do suggest that my writers avail themselves of a good copyeditor. Even the best of us who are close to the copy will miss things that the trained eye of a good copyeditor can see a mile away! Also, if you prefer not to do the actual writing, I can arrange to find a writer to work with you. Initial consultation is $120. This includes a review of your project ideas, your personal needs, and a prospective timeframe. I provide a written evaluation, plus suggest a coaching program designed to your specific project and needs, along with an outline of costs. We can discuss the proposal either on the phone or in person. Once agreed to, I provide a letter contract outlining my coaching services and their costs. Coaching sessions and consultations are done primarily in person and, in addition, by phone, e-mail, fax, or regular mail -- as practical and as needed. The amount and level of coaching and the timing for the coaching will be specified in the contract. The fee is a flat figure to cover the entire Other contracted-out services (such as copyediting) are charged at the going rates plus 5% service fee. Incidental expenses such as long-distance phone charges postage or overnight shipping, and out-of-town travel, are charged as incurred. Stephen Pfleiderer |
