"For a writer with writer’s block as bad as mine, a writing coach is what a lifeguard is to a tired swimmer caught in a rip current. The writing coach is a lifeline who will help me get from where I am to where I want to be, when I can’t seem to
get there alone.
"I myself am a spiritual life coach, so I understand coaching pretty well. Justine, as my writing coach, fills a truly unique role.
"Perhaps some writers can publish and achieve their goals without help – if so, more power to you. But Justine and I agree that, while it is wonderful to be a writer, it is also hard. Writing, as an art, requires sensitivity and incredible honestly. Living in this
world, that is painful and often hard.
"I’m a big one for asking for help when I need it. What kind of help? I’ll answer that to distinguish a writing coach from other types of helpers:
- A housekeeper will clean up after you.
- A nanny will prepare food and wipe your
mouth. (We all need to be pampered sometimes.)
- A writing teacher will help you write better.
- An editor will help you rewrite better.
- A line editor and proofreader will fix what you could fix in someone else’s writing, but can’t see in your own.
- A writing coach will help you to write when you can’t write. She (or he) will help you to overcome blocks and fears, help you to face what you can’t face, or don’t want to face. She will help you become a
better person and a better author – one who deserves authority through expertise and cultivated and natural talent, and who claims that expertise, producing and delivering results, collecting rejection slips and growing to greater and greater publication of one’s work."
Next week, I'll weigh in with some reflections on my coaching work with Sid and other writers, and what they've taught me about being a writing coach. Spoiler alert:
a whole lot.
