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Coaching
Priced by the page or by the hour, my coaching services consist of significant one-on-one attention, not only to your work but also to your process. When I coach you by the hour, it means I will charge you for the time we spend working together in a meeting or phone call. When I charge by the page for coaching, I read what you've written and then give you verbal feedback that helps you improve the project.
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Revision Planning
For serious writers who understand the value of multi-draft writing, this unique service features a comprehensive and customized worksheet that gives you digestible assignments to improve the story you're telling and the way you write. I'll read your document twice, looking for areas where the project and your writing have room to grow, and create a customized Revision Plan.
For example, if your novel has a plot hole—a part of the storyline that disappears or doesn't make sense—you'll find in your worksheet a focused lesson about plot devices followed by specific instructions for dealing with your particular challenge. In your manuscript, I will highlight insertion points for your assignments and examples of the issue at hand.
Or perhaps your dissertation overuses the passive verb tense, a common academic style pitfall that can undermine even the most fascinating study. Your comprehensive worksheet will outline useful tricks for fixing verb tenses, and your manuscript will come back with all your passive-voice sentences highlighted so you can see the problem and make it right.
Each Revision Plan tackles up to a dozen writing issues like these, eradicating your bad habits and offering the type of thorough feedback every writer craves. Do your homework one step at a time, and when you're done, you've got a new, improved draft.
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Line Editing
When you just want me to tidy things up—this is traditional line editing and includes what's often called copyediting. I read your whole manuscript through, enjoying the writing as I would my usual pleasure reading and getting a feel for the piece. I sometimes consult with the client after this first read to make sure I understand your intentions.
Then, I begin again, taking copious notes this time to keep track of areas for improvement such as logic, presentation of ideas and arguments, and overwriting.
Finally, I begin the actual comprehensive edit, marking the manuscript for errors like the ones I've described above as well as watching out for basic grammar problems, punctuation issues, simple typos, and general readability.
After I have completed the first edit, I start all over and edit the manuscript on paper a second time, ensuring the accuracy of my first edit. I call this the polishing edit.
Then I compile my notes, incorporating all the subjects I've already mentioned as well as explanations, justifications for my decisions, and style guide references for the changes I've made.
I deliver the edited document and compiled notes and check in a little while later to guarantee your satisfaction.
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More Coaching & Other Ideas
Whether you have only the spark of an idea, the beginning of a manuscript, or a complete first draft, you can benefit from my comprehensive coaching and flexible range of other services for writers.
Writer's coaching can take many shapes. As your coach, I am your support person while you write. For coaching clients, I have absorbed administrative hassles like securing a research assistant for a historical novel and reviewing reader comments for a blogger. I have brainstormed with clients to flesh out plot outlines, website designs, or anything they want to build from the ground up. I'm great at talking through a difficult writing project, scene, or idea, and I love reading pages of dialogue aloud with you to make sure it sounds real. Most often, I am the person who reads your roughest drafts and talks you through your next steps. Coaching is about process for me, and whatever your process, I can help it run smoothly.
Other services I've provided for writers:
- writing the dreaded query letter and synopsis after I've edited your novel
- grammar tutoring
- presentation coaching: Let me help you make your first book signing and reading fabulous! Get noticed at the poetry slam!
- navigating the self-publishing industry
- building your organizational style guide
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