When a writing coach is your secret sherpa
You've got the itch. The story's rattling around in your head. Maybe it's a memoir, maybe a manifesto. Either way, you've decided to write it yourself—God help you.
Now comes the hard part: getting started, staying started, and somehow crossing the finish line without tossing your laptop into a lake.
That's where coaching comes in.
While I spend most of my time ghostwriting for people who'd rather skip the heavy lifting, I also work with a handful of brave souls who want to write their own book—but wisely realize they could use a steady hand (and the occasional shove) to get it done.
Think of me as an author's book-writing Sherpa — part sounding board, part editor, part cheerleader, and part tough-love taskmaster. I help sharpen ideas, shape narratives, and sidestep the common traps that swallow first-time authors somewhere around Chapter 2.
As your coach, I'll remind you—gently but firmly—that nobody ever finished a book just by thinking about it in the shower. Still, the goal isn't to rush. It's to write a book worth reading—at a pace that lets you keep your day job, your marriage, and your dignity.
Most projects unfold over nine-ish months:
Months 1–2: Concept Development. We figure out what the book is actually about. What's the point? Who's it for? Why should they care? We map out a working outline and give you a clear direction—so you're not wandering in the wilderness.
Months 3–6: Drafting the Manuscript. You write a chapter every two to three weeks. I read, mark up, and send back feedback on structure, tone, pacing, and clarity. I weigh in on what sings, what sags, and when the draft has gone full TED Talk.
Months 7–9: Revisions and Refinement. With a full draft in hand, we tighten the narrative, smooth the transitions, and make sure your voice comes through.
The experience is less boot camp than talk therapy. We chat most weeks—sometimes to review pages, sometimes to brainstorm, sometimes just to keep your head in the game.
I ask for an initial six-month commitment. That's enough time to build momentum and knock out a complete draft. After that, you can continue month-to-month to revise, polish, or just keep from losing steam in the final stretch.
Bottom line: My job is to be a steady partner to help you do it—without losing your way, or your mind. You bring the grit. I bring the compass.