What is a Writing Coach Anyway? And Do I Need One?
People often ask me, ‘what is a writing coach?’ and ‘what is it that you do exactly?’ So, I decided to break down what a writing coach does for her clients - or at least what I do - and also share the difference between a writing coach and a book coach.
While it seems like coaching is the latest trend across all lifestyle sectors, a writing coach is not really a new thing. To be honest, I haven’t always embraced the term writing coach, even though coaching writers to produce their best work is something I’ve been doing for a very long time.
What Does a Writing Coach Do?
You don’t have to write alone, you could work with a writing coach.
I always like to start with a familiar analogy. Let’s say you were 20 pounds overweight and really out of shape. You tried dieting to no avail, and every time you promised to wake up early to go jogging, you hit the snooze button and never made it out the front door. Eventually, you might decide to hire your own health coach who could develop a healthy eating plan for you, and an exercise regimen that would help you meet your goals. Now the difference between a coach and say, a dietician or a printable program from the Internet, is that the coach would be with you, not only holding your hand through the process, but also motivating and encouraging you until you achieved your goals. A coach helps you identify your problems and weaknesses, gives you a plan to follow to address those issues, and then hangs around to “coach” you through the process that will get you successfully to the finish line.
And that’s exactly what I do with the writers I work with.
Whether you want to start writing, or you're stuck in a rut and can’t seem to get back to writing, as a creative writing coach, I’ll help you identify your goals and/or any challenges you're having, and then develop a plan to get you writing on a regular basis to meet your goals. For some people, they just want to start writing and develop a regular writing habit. While other folks may need help breaking through a bad case of writer’s block. Still, others may want help writing through psychological or emotional pain points to get to the other side of their work. And then there are those full-time writers who just need help generating new material. I can do that too. Just like there are a million reasons why someone might want to lose weight or start exercising, there are a million reasons why someone might want or need to write.
What’s the Difference Between a Writing Coach and a Book Coach?
Personally, I make the distinction between being a creative writing coach and a book coach, because the goals and potential obstacles in the way are different. As a book coach, my number one goal is to help you write and finish your book. This is a much more specific type of coaching where the benchmarks and finish line are clearly defined. As a book coach, I help people devise a writing schedule they can follow to ensure they hit their deadlines. I also coach them through the process, helping them stay motivated and focused on the task at hand. I also offer editorial feedback and provide guidance on how they can optimize their book’s success once it is out in the world. Writing a book can feel like running a marathon, and doing it alone can feel daunting. So, in essence, my work as a book coach is to make that marathon feel more manageable, less lonely, and destined for success.
When Should You Hire a Writing Coach?
Writing coaches aren’t a requirement to be a writer. Just like you can run on your own, you can most definitely write on your own. But if you’re the type of writer who craves some structure and accountability in your writing routine, or if you need some sort of assignment or tangible goal to get going, then hiring a writing coach might be just what you need. The key thing of course is to find a writing coach who you truly vibe with, and whose methods and style work for you. Consider whether you want a coach of a particular ethnic background or gender. A coach’s background may influence their ability to understand the project you’re working on. The bottom line is that you must do your homework before hiring a writing coach. See if you can speak with him or her before committing to working with them, and ask about their methods and offerings. If it feels right, give them a chance to see what they can do for you.
How Much Does a Writing Coach Cost?
Like all things in life, the fees a writing coach charges vary. Some writing coaches offer packages for their services, where each package offers different levels of time, services, and intensity of interaction. Whereas some coaches charge a simple hourly fee, like a therapist or consultant. Book coaching may cost more because there is a looming deadline involved and a very real end goal that must be met. The industry standard for writing coaching begins at $50/hour, but can scale up to $200/hour or more for a coach with a lot of experience and their own writing accolades behind their name. In other words, if they themselves have written best-selling books with excellent reviews, they can justify their higher price points because presumably they can help you achieve similar wins. But be aware, just because someone is an excellent writer, doesn’t mean they are an excellent writing coach.
What Makes a Writing Coach a Good Coach?
There are two things a writing coach must be able to do. Number one, is to help you improve your writing. Number two, is to keep you motivated and inspired to continue writing at a pace and productivity level you desire. While it is not a requirement, I think one of the best ways you can assess if a writing coach is going to have a handle on these skills is if they’ve spent time in the classroom, working with writers of different skills and abilities.
As a former tenured college professor, who has also taught at several creative writing centers and schools across the United States, I have honed my skills as a writing coach and teacher by teaching a diverse group of students. Also, as a ghostwriter and collaborator, I have coached athletes, academics, “celebrities” and corporate professionals through writing their books for major publishers, so I’ve had that experience as well. And it all counts. To be honest though, I think my greatest quality as a writing coach is that I love writing and my enthusiasm always infuses every lesson and coaching session I share. At the end of the day, I suggest you find a writing coach with actual experience teaching the craft of writing, and who also loves the written word.
Four Things You Should Do Before Hiring a Writing Coach
Before you go and hire a writing coach, do these things first to ensure you have the best possible experience.
Be clear on what you need and why. Before you go looking for a writing coach, take the time to figure out exactly what your writing goals are. The coach can only help you achieve your goals if you can define them.
Define Your Budget: Once you know what you need, you should look at your budget. Decide how much you can spend and then try to find a coach who can work within that budget. Sometimes you may find that you can’t afford to work 1-on-1 with a coach, but maybe you can take one of their workshops or join an accountability group they have.
Check your schedule: Almost as important as defining your budget, determining how much time you can dedicate to working with someone, and when that time will be is crucial. Some coaches will only work on weeknights, others only work on the weekends, while still others work completely via email. Figure out your schedule first so you can find someone with a compatible timetable.
Check their Credentials: Just as you wouldn’t hire an accountant to do your taxes without a referral or checking out their reviews, please don’t hire a writing coach because they look cute on Instagram. Have they written and published the type of work you’re trying to write? Have they had teaching or other coaching experience? Can you find any testimonials from former students or clients? Remember, anybody can call themselves a writing coach, make sure you’re hiring the real deal.
Write with Me
If you’re interested in creative writing coaching with me, please sign up for my newsletter as I will be announcing an exciting new opportunity that’s coming up in the spring. You can also send me a note through the contact page on this website to inquire about my services.
I hope this post was helpful and helps you decide if and when you might need or want a writing coach.