Do I Really Need a Writing Coach?

Two years ago, I brought on a new editing client. There were two authors, and the book had already gone through a content edit so I was hired to fix the grammar and punctuation. Easy peasy. (Unless you’ve read about my comma obsession).

I always read a chapter or so before I agree to a project, just to make sure the client doesn’t write at a third grade level… and that they’re not crazy. The book met the criteria and the authors seemed like wonderful people. Which is why, about halfway through my edit, I had to stop and offer a content edit. I wasn’t trying to slowly raise their bill or go back on my original estimate, I just realized that their book would never be published as is. It was poorly structured, redundant, and unbeknownst to the authors, the previous editor had changed the topic and audience of their book. Two years later, we are still working to restructure the manuscript and deliver a product that someone will want to read.

This is why I believe in writing or book coaching.

Whether you are a first time author of you’ve got a library full of books under your belt (how big is your belt?!?), there are benefits to having another pair of eyes and a second brain along your journey to a finished book.

A writing coach will work with you to:

Understand your motivation

Why do you want to write a book? Is it a business move to position yourself as an expert and expand your platform? Have you always dreamed of writing a novel and currently have characters playing out scenes in your brain? Or do you just think it’d be pretty cool to add “author” to your resume?

While these all seem like good reasons to write a book, if your “why” isn’t strong enough, you’ll struggle throughout the entire process and may never finish. A writing coach will help you figure out your motivation and uncover the intestinal fortitude to make it through the process.

Organize your thoughts

Ah, the dreaded outline. You probably remember it from grade school where you had to create a bulleted structure to your concept before you could start writing. Well, it’s back (and it’s better than ever!) I know that an outline seems constricting, like wearing the wrong size underpants and being unable to change them until bedtime, but it can actually be freeing! (Like skipping the underpants and staying conscious of updrafts.)

The point is, you won’t be working alone. You’ll have a buddy along the way to hold your hand, help you brainstorm, and organize your content into something cohesive and entertaining.

Have a second opinion

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with THE IDEA. You know, the billion dollar business that’s not only going to make you and your heirs richer than if Bill Gates married Oprah, but will revolutionize life as we know it, save the planet, and end world hunger… until you share the idea the next day.

“No,” your friend says. “Manufacturing robotic legs for goldfish will not create a new method of transportation and limit our use of fossil fuels. That’s a terrible idea.”

Writing is a very lonely and isolating profession. Sitting along in a room bleeding into a computer plays tricks with your brain and makes you believe that things are brilliant and will appeal to the masses, when really, you’ll be lucky if your mom wants to read it.

PSA: Don’t actually bleed into your computer, you’ll probably short it out and electrocute yourself. I bet you never knew that writing could be dangerous.

When there’s another person to bounce ideas off of, you can test out your concepts, plots, characters, etc. and avoid creating a Transformer Fish.

Be held accountable

Maybe I’ll write today… but there’s a Dirty Dancing marathon on T.V..

Writing a book can be a tiring process and it helps to have someone setting goals, milestones, and keeping you accountable to what you said you’d do. When you have to answer to another person (especially one you are paying), you’re more likely to accomplish what you set out to do.

These are just a few of the many benefits you get from working with a writing coach. If you’re dreaming of writing a book, consider hiring a coach to help you through the process from the birth of the concept to The End. Let’s chat and see if we would be a good fit.  Email me at sheryl@sherylgreenspeaks.com to set up a call.