What does a coach actually do?

This is a fair question. In the last decade, life coaching has boomed as an industry. Niche coaching or mentoring has followed closely behind. You can find a coach to help you de-clutter, find a job, parent, and get fit. Marie Kondo (famous Japanese de-cluttering coach) has not only written a book, but now has a TV show where she coaches people to simplify their belongings, and therefore their life. A writing coach essentially declutters your writing, allowing you to access a clean version of your ideas. As a writing coach I help my clients clarify their intentions about their writing, write an outline so they have a clear path ahead, discover that there are enough hours in the day to write, identify writing blocks, and learn about craft as they go. Most importantly I help my clients get their project done!

Who needs a coach?

 We lead busy lives. We have an infinite amount of information at our fingertips. We have lots of things we want to do. We need to be efficient. If you have an idea for a book that you really want to write but haven’t made as much progress as you planned, you would benefit from a writing coach. 

Can you relate to any of these points?

• I have an idea that just won’t leave me but I don’t know how to start
• I want to learn more about the craft of writing
• I want to take my business know-how and write a book about it
• I wrote an outline for a book but when I sit down to write I feel overwhelmed
• The topic for my book is very emotional for me – I don’t know how to separate the therapy writing from the book writing
• I need someone who I trust, that I can just talk to, who will give me support and guidance, and has expertise in writing

If I am your coach:

• I will help you get past obstacles (real and psychological) 
• I will teach you more about the craft of writing
• I will assist you in setting goals
• I will show you ways to create more content when you don’t know what else to write
• I will share my knowledge about what to do with the manuscript once it’s done

We can work together for as few or as many sessions as you need.

Working with a writing coach is an investment. Some might even say it’s a luxury. But it’s the most efficient way to get a book written because you are accountable to someone from the very beginning, and you are constantly learning as you go. How many posts do you see dedicated to writer's block, procrastination, not knowing how to do something, finding time to write? A good writing coach will address all of these things.

If you have a question, you can send me an email. If you are feeling unmotivated, you reach out to me and we will find the root of the problem. If the content is too abundant, too scarce, too emotional, too boring… we find solutions.

We create deadlines and we stick to them. 

"Writing, especially when you don’t have much experience, can be something quite difficult. With Kirsten and the detailed comments she gave me, I started to realize what obstacles I was experiencing with my writing, but I also recognized some of the strengths in my writing. If it weren’t for Kirsten, I think I’d still be in that place wondering why my writing didn’t come together as I wanted it to. Kirsten will definitely be the first person I contact when I need a manuscript assessment in the future."

Christopher O.