What Can a Writing Coach Do for Me?
by Beth Wright
An array of tools and resources are available to support writers in all genres. From books to blog posts, classes to writing groups, a writer looking for some help has many options. Working with a writing coach has specific benefits that may be the right choice for you.
With a writing coach you can have personalized support and feedback beyond what you might get from a class. The coach is focused on you and your writing strengths and weaknesses, with no distractions from other students or from the class’s broader agenda. It’s all about you!
The right coach has experience with the craft of writing as well as the specific conventions of your genre. They understand what makes writing better and what a revision process can look like. And unlike the members of a writing group, they don’t ask you to make an exchange. Your writing is the focus, and their only stake in it is how they can help you to improve.
A writing coach can can help you figure out how to make the writing process more productive and more joyful!
Accountability is built into the relationship between writer and coach. You agree to a schedule and goals, and the coach helps you stay on track. If you’re supposed to get 2,000 words written by Wednesday, and you only have 1,200 by the time your coaching appointment rolls around, you alone face the consequences. But because you have an explicit agreement with your coach, your motivation to meet your goal will be high. And when you miss it, you and your coach can work together to figure out what got in the way and how to avoid obstacles in the future.
A writing coach understands creativity and the creative process. They know what writer’s block looks like, and they’ll learn what your specific blocks are. They can help you figure out how to make the writing process more productive and more joyful. They can remind you of why you write and cheer you on as you make progress toward your goals. They’re your personal cheerleader as well as your advisor and instructor. Their role may evolve as you work together, and the flexibility of working one on one can allow that evolution to support your writing as your skills develop.
Not every writer needs a writing coach. But if books, classes, and writing groups aren’t quite meeting your needs, finding a professional coach who can offer you advice, constructive feedback, encouragement, and accountability may be the answer.
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