Memoir Coaching
Have you been thinking about writing your story, but feel unsure where to start? Or maybe you’ve already started drafting, but now feel stuck?
Book a FREE, no obligation consultation with me!
Please allow approximately 30 minutes for the consultation.
If you’re here, I have a question for you.
Have you ever gone through something and thought to yourself I should write a book about that?
Has anybody ever heard your story and said, “You should write a book”?
If so, you’ve come to the right place—even if your very next thought was something along the lines of But I wouldn’t know where to begin.
That’s where I come in.
Writing is something we do every single day, though most of us don’t think about it the same way as we think about authorship. Whether we are describing a process in a work email or texting our best friend something outrageous that happened at the gym, every day, we are all storytellers.
And that’s good news, because that means you already have the mental muscles it would take to write a book.
As an author myself, though, I’ll be the first to say as solitary as writing itself may be, honing an idea, self-editing, and planning next steps is much easier—and much more exciting, fulfilling, and beneficial—in a community. But even in a community, balancing an original vision for a manuscript with what “works” according to editors and beta readers (and finding reputable professionals), navigating feedback, and developing measurable, achievable goals can still be daunting.
Working with a writing coach means that you don’t have to do any of that alone. It means that as you find your community, you have someone in your corner, helping you honor your original vision for your manuscript while developing it in to all that it can be.
The sky’s the limit, dear writer, and if you dream of landing among the stars, then let’s start building a rocket.
My Style
Writing a book, especially a memoir, is an inherently personal journey. The work completed with the support of a writing coach is most successful when both the writer and the coach have a clear vision of who the manuscript’s ideal reader is and what feeling that reader will be left with when they reach the final page.
I approach each client with the same first question: Why do you want to write a book? But the answer I’m looking for doesn’t have anything to do with the audience—at least, not at first. I want to know what you want out of the process. Is writing your story your way of making lemons out of lemonade? (If so, I can relate!) Is the book you’re imagining something you wish you’d been able to find and read at some point in your life? (I’ve been there.) Or are you embarking on this journey because people keep telling you that you should, and part of you is wondering if you can? (I get that, too.) Whatever your answer is, that reason will guide our next steps.
From there, our first priority will be developing structure and support. Memoir work can feel expansive at first, and my role in the beginning will be to support you as we draw up a workable, sustainable plan. We’ll set a rhythm for our work together—how often we meet, what you’ll focus on between sessions, and what “progress” realistically looks like for your writing goals. I don’t measure success by rigid output or word counts, but by forward movement that holds up, even as life happens. Some weeks, that might mean numerous pages written, while in others, clarity is gained, structure is built, or a difficult section is named and faced. The goal is always the same: to keep the project alive and moving without asking you to move to Walden’s Pond for a year.
Step One
Free Consultation (30 minutes)
We’ll talk about where you are in the memoir-writing process and what you’re hoping or trying to write. This is a practical, no-pressure conversation where I can get a sense of your project, your goals, and what kind of support you actually need and why you think working with a coach may help you achieve your goals.
It’s also a fit check, for both of us. You should leave this call with clarity about next steps, whether or not we work together.
Step Two
First Session
If we decide to move forward, we’ll set up a clear working plan and begin structured coaching. We decide on a meeting rhythm (weekly, biweekly, or monthly), define your goals in a way that fits your life, and establish what progress looks like for you. This is where your project stops being an idea and starts becoming a working manuscript. If you already have a draft in progress, we will address your current concerns and sticking points, setting a plan to help you work through them.
Step Three
Ongoing Coaching & Support
We continue meeting on a consistent basis to build your manuscript step by step. At first, those steps will be writing (unless you’ve already drafted it, in which case we’ll start with the next phase). Once the drafting is complete, we will move into self-edits, or your initial revisions. All of this will be completed at a pace that works for you. Along the way, I will help you shape, clarify, and strengthen the work as it develops. We adjust the plan as needed based on your life and your writing process so the work stays sustainable and moving forward.
Book an Appointment
Whether you’ve already started on your manuscript and feel like you might need some support with your next steps, or your idea is still percolating, the first step is the same—so let’s talk.
Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, and let’s have a focused conversation to explore your story and where you are in the writing process. We'll talk about what type of support would be the most beneficial to you. We will also discuss your goals, any sticking points, and whether memoir coaching is the right fit for you.
You'll leave with a clearer sense of next steps—whether we decide to continue working together or not.
Please allow 30 minutes for this virtual meeting.