Sometimes as writers, we can use a little help. Sometimes it’s fine to call upon family or friends to read our work and give feedback. However, our creative selves should have an objective third-party as an option to read and critique our work to make it stronger. A Writing Coach can be one tool or service you can use to help you get through a rough writing patch.
Here are some things to consider when looking for a Writing Coach.
Do Your Homework
Not all Writing Coaches provide the same services, and not all Writing Coaches will fit your needs and goals. Look at as many Writing Coach sites and profiles as possible to find ones that seem like a good fit.
Reach out to the ones you feel will provide you and your writing what you need via email or phone. Many will allow you to schedule a phone consultation and provide a brief description of your writing needs you can submit before the call.
Do You Have a Plan?
Know what you’re looking for in a Writing Coach and your SPECIFIC needs before contacting them. “I want to write a novel” is too vague, as is “I want to write better.” Do you need help staying on track and writing every day? Do you want to write a certain number of words or pages a week? Are you having a creative block and need help getting though it?
These are all specific areas a Writing Coach can help you with, but make sure you can clearly explain what your goals are before you contact them.
Meeting Your Needs
You have needs and goals with your writing, and the Writing Coach you choose also must be on board with your goals and objectives. Through initial research, you can figure out who is best suited to help you out, but also ask them questions to ensure you are on the same page.
It won’t help you if they aren’t focused on helping you achieve your writing goals, so make sure they clearly understand your needs and see if they are willing to help you reach your goals.
How Motivated Are You?
Hiring a Writing Coach means you are ready to commit to a schedule and coordinate with them to ensure they get what they need from you. Are you willing to challenge yourself and be motivated to complete the goals you have given yourself? If you have committed to the Writing Coach and yourself to write 5,000 words weekly, are you prepared to follow through?
Remember that a Writing Coach is worthless if you are wasting your time and theirs if you don’t fully commit and start making excuses as to why you haven’t done what you hired them to help you do.
Fitting Your Schedule
Writing Coaches are people with multiple clients who help you with your writing issues and assist you in reaching your writing goals. Make sure you have the time to dedicate to your writing goals and make time to have conversations with your Writing Coach. Some want weekly phone meetings to discuss your submitted work, and others may email pages back with notes.
Make sure you can take the needed time to meet with them and discuss your work. Don’t waste the Writing Coach’s time and yours by not committing fully to what you set out to achieve.
Fitting Your Budget
Find out how much the Writing Coach charges per week, month, or project, and make sure you can afford it. If you can’t afford to pay $200 a month for a year, figure out what you can get done within a timeframe that fits your budget.
No need to go broke, load on more credit card debt, or cause more financial anxiety in pursuing your creative goals.
Plan ahead and see what works best for you. If you can’t afford it, continue working on your writing and saving money to eventually bring a Writing Coach into your creative process.
Final Thoughts
A Writing Coach can be an excellent tool for your creative tool kit, but make sure you find one that’s right for you, fits your needs, works within your schedule, and definitely fits your budget. If you succeed, they succeed, so make sure you are focused, dedicated, and committed to making your work the best it can be.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!