David’s recent post about what a writing coach isn’t got us thinking about what a writing coach is. A teacher? a trainer? an editor? a therapist? a mentor? a spiritual adviser? a life coach? all of
the above?
Definitions of “writing coach” are as varied as the writers our coaches work with. No two writing coaches are the same; no two coaching experiences are the same.
Since the concept of the writing coach means so many different things to so
many people, we figured we’d go right to the source.
What is a writing coach to you? we asked our coaches. What role do you play in your clients’ writing lives? What role do your clients play in yours?
WBN coach
Jessamine Chan thinks of a writing coach as a personal trainer, "but instead of developing a fitness routine to suit a client’s goals, I’m working with them to develop new writing practices, whether this means figuring out how they can carve out writing time, how to approach drafting, or breaking a huge project into manageable parts."
WBN coach Cecily Sailer reflects, "Coaching, it
turns out, involves more than just the evaluation of a writer’s latest draft. It means carrying a flashlight into murky places, being a cheerleader, being a therapist, being a gentle, kind-hearted whip-cracker. Of course, the writing is our primary focus. It’s what brings us together. I highlight key areas in a draft that succeed and that need the most attention."
