Case Study:
Why Deborah needed a book coach
Before working with me, Deborah had received developmental edits on a full manuscript but wasn’t confident that she could finish it on her own.
“I believed [the developmental editor] was right about the changes that she suggested, but I didn’t feel like I had the craft to accomplish what she wanted me to accomplish.”
That’s when Deborah went looking for a book coach who could help with the craft side of the process, and we started working together.
“I went looking for someone who could help me do the nuts and bolts craft of achieving characters that elicited emotions that people cared about.”
After trying classes, editors, writing conventions, and even considering an MFA, Deborah was nervous about the financial investment of coaching, and whether it would help her achieve her goals.
“What I’m looking for, really, is the most traction. If I spend the money, am I getting to my goal faster? Am I getting something in return that’s growing the craft?
After her initial hesitation, Deborah and I started working together on her writing craft.
“This has been the fastest improvements I’ve seen and the most cost-effective use of money that I’ve experienced on this journey.“
The Result: A confident writer
As Deborah says, the biggest result of our work together has been an increase in her confidence — both in herself and in her writing.
“It’s confidence based on craft that I just didn’t have before. Before I could write and hit the goal sometimes, and not hit it more often, because I didn’t really understand why it worked sometimes and why it didn’t at others.”
Our work together has helped to give Deborah clarity on why scenes work (and why they don’t), which has made a big difference in her writing.
The book coaching doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes our conversations have included feedback that can be difficult to hear. But as Deborah said to me:
“I really appreciate your bedside manner when you deliver the tough news. I always walk away from the conversation encouraged. This journey is daunting, and so that ability to deliver the truth, but do it in a way that protects the flame of the fire, you thread an important needle and you do it really well.”
After talking to friends who got their MFA’s about their journeys to improving their writing, Deborah also believes that book coaching accelerated the process for her. When comparing our work together to getting an MFA, she says:
“I think that you cut a year off of the timeline.”
Are you ready to work together?
If you’re looking for a supportive partnership to help you improve your writing and finish your manuscript, Deborah would encourage you to think about working with me.
Who did she say should try Writing with Seth?
“Anybody who is serious about getting better, who understands that they need to grow their nuts and bolts craft, and go beyond it to the bigger picture — and wants to make sure they’re doing something that is reasonable, believable, and interesting.
“[With Seth], you‘ve got insight and someone to go with you on the journey of creating, who at a sentence level is involved in the process of how the story unfolds.
“If that sounds like the partnership you need at this point in your journey, this is a great investment.”
If you’re thinking this is what you need now in your writing journey, apply for a Strategy Session today.
