Coaching
“The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of skill.”
--Albert Einstein
Anyone who can speak can write. Writing is just a technical skill. But learning to write meaningful stories is an art, and at its heart lies the formulation of the problem: choosing what to write, and why, and in what order, and why, and from whose perspective, and why, and above all choosing what, from an infinity of possibilities, not to write. And why.
I offer guidance to those writing in any narrative or story form: short stories, novels, memoirs, creative nonfiction, and screenplays.
I'll read and listen, then help you to better formulate, develop, shape, and refine your work. I'll meet you at your level, with suggestions and encouragement. I'll help you to see the strengths in what you're doing. Good writing is above all a matter of courage and belief, of feeling permission to write what's true, and to "fail" toward that, steadily, with a sense of humor.
We'll work in whatever way is right for you - talking through ideas on the phone, by e-mail, and/or exchanging texts in progress.
Let me know what you need, and I'll give you a fair price, estimate, or bid.
I'm generous, compassionate, honest, and reliable, and take care to limit my roll of active students. Six of my recent students have finished book-length manuscripts, and three of these have been accepted for publication. Many others are happy with the direction their work has taken. References on request.
Call or e-mail to ask about my current availability.
Classes
I’m teaching an ongoing year-long class (now full) through Fishtrap Inc. 2015-2016
A link to Fishtrap Website and Events