Do you need a writing coach?
You might, if:
- You write for fun and dream of seeing your work in print, or turning your hobby into a paying career.
- You used to write then, but need to freshen up your skills now to get back in the game.
- You have little to no writing experience and your boss expects you to do everything from company emails to media releases.
- You’re prepping for college and need to work out your research and writing skills, or prep that college application essay.
- You’re a writer with a finished draft in need of feedback, a critique, or an edit.
- You’re a writer with an idea or maybe a few pages who feels stumped.
- You just need encouragement and guidance on your writing journey.
I’m not a cheerleader. I won’t rah-rah-rah you. But I will try to help build your skills and focus your writing with a careful balance of encouragement and honest assessment. Our journey will be guided by what you hope to get out of the experience and your commitment to the schedule we set, together. Best part, you don’t have to be here with me in Antigua and Barbuda for us to make this happen; we are part of a virtual global village after all. I always say that I’m a writer journeying, because I’m always learning; Contact me to begin your writing journey today.
Essentially via this service, I will be able to mentor you through the development of a specific project or of your overall skills as a writer.
What qualifies me to do this?
I don’t claim to be an authority on all things literary; far from it. I am still a student of writing and expect I will be so for the duration of my life. Likely, I’ll be learning something from you as well.
I have, however, amassed some experience and understanding of the craft of writing and publishing that may be of use to other writers at various stages of their development (or to non-writers with a writing project they need to complete). I am an author. I have produced news and features for newspapers, magazines, TV programmes, and more; I have written and published poetry and fiction in international journals and in book form; I have facilitated workshops with both teen and adult participants, mentored other writers or students one-on-one, reviewed manuscripts, edited collections and books for other writers, and more. I have produced and/or edited press releases, brochures, newsletters, websites, radio and TV scripts, profiles and more for corporations, individuals and non profits. I read constantly, participate in workshops as often as time and resources allow, request and receive critiques from other writers on my work, and routinely brave the cycle of submission and rejection finding bursts of breakthroughs along the way. I live a writer’s life. I am passionate about the craft of writing, committed to making my own writing better, and can perhaps assist you in doing the same.
I believe this coaching service might be of use to you if you are an aspiring or practicing writer, or simply desirous of building your literary skills, for reasons specific to you; you can get the most out of this service if you’re clear on what you want, as it is driven by your agenda.
If interested (or know someone else who might be), Contact me and we will arrange your initial consultation in person or remotely.
Testimonials:
“Joanne’s coaching has been practical, resourceful and supportive. The feedback she gives is amazing in the way that she makes strong suggestions while allowing me to maintain my voice. As a writing newbie, working with Joanne has been a great boost to my confidence and she challenges me to explore styles and perspective that I would never have tackled on my own. She is also very flexible with my schedule to keep me on track.” – Client
*from participants in the 2012 Just Write Writers Retreat (Antigua) with whom I had one-on-one consultations:
“I appreciated that my ‘tutor’ made it clear to me that she had observed the way I did things when we were given certain exercises, and she paid attention to not only what I wrote but how she picked up on how I came about writing it. She observed my process, what I spent too much focus on, and not enough focus on. …the fact that she referencedthings she had seen me do or say and not say throughout the workshop made me feel like I was a speaking to a person who, not only knew her craft, but genuinely cared or was interested about mine.”
“The one on one was very good I was able to get a candid opinion on my work from a writer who works in non fiction writing, and who’s work I respect, It was very helpful to have both strong points of my pieces and my issues hi lighted and be given suggestions on how to make my work better.”
“During my one-on-one session with Joanne she said something in her nonchalant way that, for me, was like a big sister shaking sense into the younger. She said ‘you are a writer, you may not be aware of it yet, but you are a writer!‘. Then she proceeded to share her thoughts on my sample pieces and project idea as if her lightning jolt was nothing more than a flashlight being turned on. She said many things in that brief meeting that resonated with me, but the most significant was the simple acknowledgement that I AM a writer.”
jhohadli 