FAQ – and Answers to Most of Them
My novel is written, but it's not getting the reaction I'd hoped for from friends, trusted readers, agents. Can you help?
Absolutely. That's why my blog is called Write a Better Novel. Over the years I've found most novels to be near-misses. Some are published, some even become mild successes; but they could have been SO much better. If your novel (or short story) is not succeeding, not achieving the effect you intended, I can help you rethink, revise, and redesign it for maximum effect.
I'm finally writing the novel I never got around to, but it's a lot harder than I ever dreamed it could be. I never had a creative writing class and I'm lost. Can you help?
Yes. The fundamentals of storytelling are easy to articulate, but hard to learn. Most likely you will absorb them not right away, but gradually. If you've ever learned to play tennis, or any sport, you know there are a half-dozen or so major fundamentals that must become part of your muscle memory, separately at first, then in ensemble patterns, in the many complex ways they work together. I can coach you through it, confidently and knowledgeably, but you are the player: you must do the heavy lifting.
How Do I Work with You?
Most personal coaching clients are working on a novel, submitting portions of it to me, and getting them back with comments. After some preliminary talks with, a new client will generally settle into a regular schedule of submissions. I'll read and evaluate each submission, and send it back with extensive notes and commentary.
How often?
I offer as much flexibility as I can. Most clients prefer once-a-week critiques/meetings: it's the most efficient way to make progress. Here's a typical schedule: client emails me a chapter on Tuesday, and gets it back on Thursday, with comments. Some clients are more comfortable with once every 2 weeks. It depends on your budget and your intensity.
Do you prefer phone conferences or written critiques?
It depends on you and how you learn best. I have no personal preference on this question. Most clients like a phone conference every so often--either in lieu of, or in addition to, a submission/critique turnaround. I've have had clients who requested ONLY phone conferences–and vice-versa. There is no rule beyond what works best for a given client at any given time.
How do "Coaching" and "Editing" differ?
• Coaching is primarily a teaching or mentoring relationship, with some selective editing along the way to provide teaching examples by way of concrete corrections. The basic premise of coaching is that you may have learned a few things, but there is more learning to do.
• Editing is an effort to optimize your manuscript for submission. You may pick up some new craft knowledge as byproduct of a professional edit, but learning is not the primary focus. When I edit, I go ahead and fix problems when I encounter them, with little or no didactic comment or explanation.
Are you partial to a particular style of writing?
If I have a bias, it is toward the character driven novel. I enjoy "experimental" writing--I've done a lot of myself in the the past, but where coaching is concerned, I believe firmly that you have to master the demands of story structure (which is 3,000 years old and still defiantly young), and to do that, you must master the difficult art and discipline of deep character development.
Do you require a contract?
"Signing on" is not a formal agreement. As long as you think you're benefiting, that's great. When you feel the need to stop for a while or to move on--that's fine, too. I've had clients sign on for a brief coaching "tune up." I've had one client who went through every stage--phone calls only, coaching by critique, and finally a full edit.
How Much Do You Charge?
For personal coaching, my fee is $100 per hour. It applies to whatever I do for you, or with you--critical reading, comments, phone meetings, line editing, anything beyond purely social. Just like your lawyer, but cheaper and more fun. Payment by check is fine. PayPal is also fine, espcially if you are international or need to use a credit card. If you need to make payments some other way, let me know.