What does a book coach do?
Coincidentally, the first time I got asked this question, it came from my running coach.
Yep, I have a running coach. I’m not an expert, so I work with a professional to achieve my best performance.
She creates my training plans, answers my questions about running, teaches me about nutrition, and gives me feedback on my form to make me a better runner. Honestly, sometimes I just like having her around to give me encouragement when training or racing gets hard.
I do the same thing, but all in the interest of helping writers complete their novels.
I teach writers about the basics of novel-writing. I provide writing plans and create accountability with deadlines. I also give feedback to help writers hone their craft. And, I’m a damn good cheerleader when the writing process gets tough.
Very few of us can just sit down and create a masterpiece. In fact, most of us have to learn how to write a novel first. A book coach can help reduce that learning curve.
And while we’re still getting the hang of the process, we need help. We need guidance. And we have to work very hard at it. A book coach can give you the confidence that you’re approaching the novel-writing process the right way, and you’ll be able to complete a book you can be proud of.
For some, that might mean working with a coach throughout the whole process. I can help you explore and develop your story idea, as well as outline your novel. Throughout this process, we talk a lot about the craft of novel-writing and what makes a compelling story. This is not something that we’re taught—we intuitively know what a good story is (literally, it’s hardwired into our brains because stories have helped humans survive for centuries). But that doesn’t mean that all of us can just produce a story off the cuff.
However, we can all learn how to do it.
Many aspiring writers also struggle with consistency and commitment (Hi! This was me not too long ago). It’s hard to sit down at a computer, day after day, and create a story when no one’s paying you to do it, and you have no evidence that you will be successful. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it! It’s just a hurdle to get over. Working with a coach gives you the accountability to write your pages every week so you can turn them in. You also get on-going feedback while you draft so you can feel more confident that you’re headed in the right direction.
Even if you don’t need that level of coaching, working with someone after you’ve drafted your novel will be immensely helpful. It’s hard to look at your work objectively. If you want to make sure that your story is holding together—or you need help determining why it isn’t—an outside opinion is essential. And a book coach is a great person to turn to for that perspective because they’re trained and they will be honest. A beta reader or critique partner may not be either of those things.
Finally, unlike my running, if you have professional aspirations, working with a book coach can give you an edge. In fact, getting help is essential for writers who want to pursue commercial success. As the publishing field has gotten more crowded and competitive, agents or publishers have less time to develop promising authors. They are looking for more polished and publish-ready manuscripts. Of course, no one can guarantee that you’ll get published—if a book coach says that, they’re making a promise they can’t keep. But getting coaching and feedback from an expert will help you create the best book you possibly can.
A book coach, unlike an editor, is focused on helping you improve your writing process and is committed to helping you become a better writer along the way.
If you’re the slightest bit uncertain about your ability to write, work with a book coach. Because you can write, you just need some encouragement and maybe a little bit of direction. A book coach provides an expert opinion and guidance at every stage of the writing process.
Could a perfectionist mindset keep you from finishing your book?
Perfectionism might not be what you think.
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 sounds 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