Overcome perfectionism and write your novel.

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You’ve always dreamed of writing a novel, but you’ve tried for years and feel like you’re no closer to success. Something is keeping you stuck, whether it’s the fear that you’re not doing it right, that your idea isn’t good enough, or that maybe you’re just not meant to write a novel.

I can coach you past these mindset blocks to complete your novel.

I’m a book coach who helps women’s fiction writers get out of the perfectionist mindset to clarify and develop their story ideas, draft their novels with confidence, and polish their manuscripts to pursue publishing.

If you secretly fear that you just don’t have what it takes to write a novel, I’m here to tell you that you can do it. I’ll help you change your mindset, get out of perfectionism, and learn how to write a compelling story.

7 Surprising Ways Perfectionism.jpg

You’ve always wanted to write a novel, but could a perfectionist mindset keep you from finishing your book?

Perfectionism might not be what you think it is.

If you’ve ever felt like you might not be smart, creative, or talented enough to write a novel, the real culprit holding you back might be a perfectionist mindset. The way perfectionism manifests will surprise you because it doesn’t mean that you strive to do things perfectly. It’s a strategy to avoid imperfection and rejection.

If this is starting to sound like you, the first step to overcoming perfectionism so you can write your novel is to learn more about it. This guide explains:

  • What perfectionism is

  • What it isn’t

  • How it shows up in your writing

  • And how you can begin to change

What does a book coach do?

How book coaching can help you:

Perfectionism not about striving for excellence; it’s about avoiding shame and rejection. People who are stuck in a perfectionist mindset have trouble with writing because they’re afraid that they can’t do it perfectly—and it’s impossible to write a novel perfectly on the first try.

That’s why so many perfectionists procrastinate or avoid writing, abandon first drafts, feel overwhelmed by the process, and implement other strategies that keep you from fully committing to the writing process.

It keeps you safe from perceived failure, but it also keeps you from achieving your dream.

As a coach, I help you understand how perfectionism has manifested for you and how you can start to build habits to overcome them.

I guide you to create a plan for your novel and your writing so that you can get out of overwhelm and confusion.

I provide you with deadlines to keep you accountable and give you feedback on your pages to help you improve along the way.

And I’m a cheerleader or an empathetic ear as you face challenges with not only writing but also overcoming perfectionism.

Change your mindset and complete your novel.

Stop saying, “someday…”

You’re experiencing self-doubt, perfectionism, and overwhelm. Where do you even begin? Are you good enough to do it? What if you don’t finish? I know these fears because I’ve had all of these fears.

Here’s the secret: Perfectionism is trying to keep you stuck because you’re afraid to have proof that you can’t write a good novel. But you can! Working with a book coach is one of the best ways to overcome this mindset and finally finally finally accomplish your goals. I’m here to guide you through the process with exercises and deadlines, give you feedback to improve your writing, and boost your confidence so you can write the novel you’ve always dreamed you would.

What People Are Saying:

 

“Heather is a marvelous partner in the difficult process of writing a book. I feel very fortunate to have such an insightful coach in my corner. I have worked out many thorny plot problems with her help, and have benefited from her kind and clear-eyed assessment of my work-in-progress. Always encouraging, she has provided invaluable support for the emotional ups and downs of writing a book, helping me strategize on not just the mechanics of the writing but the process as well. I highly recommend Heather's services to anyone who is serious about getting a book out into the world.”

—Shawndra Miller

 

"Meeting with Heather completely changed (and re-energized) my approach to editing my manuscript. She read my draft closely and provided a clear set of observations that honored the positive parts of the work, but also flagged what wasn’t working. With a keen eye for detail and characterization, Heather made concrete suggestions to strengthen the story arc and amplify themes. She identified several scenes that did not serve the story fully, and then, in conversation, walked me through the thought process on whether I should cut the scenes or re-write them. At no point did I disagree with her insight. On the contrary, it was a relief to discuss my thoughts with someone so competent and careful. I highly recommend reaching out to Heather to discuss your project. It may be exactly what you need!"

—Emily Mumford