Case Study:
Why Cheryl needed a book coach
Cheryl has wanted to write since she was a kid. 14 years ago, when she was still working full time, Cheryl started a manuscript. She worked on it off and on for years, but felt like she was spinning in place.
“I had taken [the manuscript] through a two-year writing program, got great critique and feedback… But then I was left with what to do with all of that. And I probably worked on it for almost a year, and then just got to the point where I felt like I was moving deck furniture around on the Titanic.”
Eager for something to help her move forward and relieve the weight she was feeling from her novel, Cheryl began looking into coaching. At first she was hesitant about reaching out to a stranger online. As she told me:
“That was probably my biggest hesitation. Whether it would be worth the investment, if you would bring that value of what I needed and wanted. If you would be a good fit.”
But after meeting me and discussing her writing goals, Cheryl decided to move forward.
The Result: A whole new manuscript
One of the biggest things that Cheryl and I have worked on together is her confidence in being able to take up space as a writer:
“One of the biggest [results] is that I regained my confidence… I was swimming in doubt… The very first lesson with Seth was about taking up space… Learning I’m okay to take up space as a writer and on the page.”
You can read more about this concept here.
Another key moment in our work together was when Cheryl decided to take a break from her original manuscript.
“[Seth] helped me set aside that old manuscript… To move on and be the writer I am today… That was life-shifting. Gigantic. It was like getting saved from out from under an avalanche. It really was that profound for me… When I stepped outside [of that manuscript], it was the most professional I’ve ever felt as a writer… It really changed everything.”
Cheryl also feels that the coaching structure helped her to move forward with her writing and stop the spinning that was keeping her stuck before.
“I like the clear direction… I felt like I got off the [coaching] calls and knew exactly what I needed to work on, and I couldn’t wait to get going. That helped alleviate any of that doubt and spinning… I love the clear direction in the calls.”
One of the biggest things for Cheryl to overcome was feeling like setting aside her original manuscript was quitting. As she says:
“I don’t quit things. So [Seth helped me] to not think of it that way. It didn’t mean I was quitting being a writer. I was just quitting… one project.”
She realized that she was no longer the same person as when she started writing that book. Over 14 years, a lot had changed. Letting go of it allowed her to find joy in writing again.
“Follow the fun. If you’re not having fun…it’s going to show up in your writing… It’s not going to be fun for the reader… My whole life feels lighter now. Everything feels lighter.”
When she looks back on the way things used to be before our work together, Cheryl says:
“[Without Seth] I would have still been buried under an avalanche… Still plodding along and stuck in self doubt… Just spiraling, probably.”
In contrast, she loves how easy writing feels now.
“It just feels light and easy and it feels fun to write. When I’m not [writing]… I can be in the rest of my life. [Writing] is not always the thing I feel like I have to be thinking about. It’s just flowing… It surprises me every day what happens when I’m working on a scene.”
Who would benefit from working with Seth?
Cheryl believes that any writer who is looking to improve and enjoy their writing would benefit from coaching with Seth:
“[Seth] helps writers. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing. It doesn’t matter whether Seth has written the genre that you’re working on or not. He is legit… Seth helps writers with writing.”
If this sounds like the kind of book coaching you need, click the button below to apply for a strategy session with me today.
