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Frequently Asked Questions
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What can coaching do for me?
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If you're motivated
to make meaningful changes, coaching can help you overcome challenges in any
area of your writing or life. The best way to determine specifically
what coaching can do for you is to request a no-obligation
sample
session.
What
are some examples of things you've worked on with clients?
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Coaching is tailored
and adapted to the individual, so the topics it can address are as varied as
the people who pursue it. I've worked with people on technical
challenges inside their writing projects (point of view, dialogue, voice,
structuring, outlining, etc); on idea generating; on finding agents and
publishers; on procrastination and time management; on reversing limiting
thoughts and beliefs ("my writing's no good," "I'll never finish this,"
etc.); on all kinds of writer's block; on building support networks and
writers groups; on marketing; on releasing judgment of self and others; on
setting boundaries; on life balance; on discovering and maximizing your
writing process; on productivity; on The Law of Attraction; etc.
What
happens in a sample session?
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The purpose of a
sample
session is to give you firsthand experience of coaching and help
you determine if it makes sense for you. A sample session takes about
30 minutes, and is simply an opportunity for you to ask questions about the
process and see how it works. There is no selling or pressure of any
kind. If after the session you decide to pursue coaching further,
great; if not, that's okay, too.
My
writing is going fine, so how can coaching help me?
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Coaching can help you
to move more quickly and efficiently along your chosen path. It's about
building new skills and awareness that will benefit you both in writing and
in other areas of your life. A good question to ask yourself is, "Am I
operating inside my grandest vision?" If your answer is no, you would
probably benefit from coaching.
How
is what you do different from Life Coaching?
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Write Life Coaching
is life coaching--it's just tailored specifically to writers and the
challenges they face. Writers have lives, too (I've heard some do,
anyway), and the issues they face around writing often spill into other
areas, so I typically end up coaching around both writing and life
issues--whatever a client needs to get where they want to be.
What
is the Law of Attraction?
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Whatever we focus our
attention on grows bigger in our lives, and this dynamic functions on every
level, from our thoughts, to our relationships, to the material objects that
surround us. For example, if you decided you were going to buy a new
hybrid car, say a Toyota Prius, your attention would refocus and you'd start to see Priuses all over the place. Next thing you know,
there's one parked in your driveway. This has happened to all of us in one
form or another, and it's happening constantly, although we don't always
realize or pay attention to it. If you're a writer and your thoughts are
focused on what's wrong with your writing, soon that's all you ever see, and
your experience around writing becomes a reflection of that. The great
thing is, you can consciously put your attention wherever you want it to be.
This is The Law of Attraction, albeit a simple explanation of it.
Is
coaching hard work?
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Coaching is most
effective for people who are motivated to make positive changes in their
lives. Clients must bring a focused agenda to each session, be willing
to step outside of their comfort zone, keep an open mind, and follow through
with meaningful action. So yes, in that sense coaching is hard
work--but it's also energizing because it addresses the areas of your life
where you want to see progress or change, and that's great incentive to
make the effort.
Do
you only work with writers who are blocked?
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Writer's block is just
one of the myriad challenges that coaching can address. I work with
any motivated writer--aspiring or experienced--who would benefit from
ongoing guidance and support.
What
are your qualifications?
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I think my greatest
qualification--and the greatest qualification of any coach--is the value I
deliver to my clients. Satisfied clients equal a qualified coach.
My relevant life experience, of which I have a boatload, also plays a big
role. Beyond this, I have a MA in Literature/creative writing from the
University of Colorado; I am certified as a life coach by the Coach Training
Alliance; I am a published novelist, fiction writer, travel writer,
columnist; I've taught fiction workshops and creative writing classes at the
University of Colorado; I've been employed as an editor and copywriter, etc.
Ultimately, credentials mean less to me than relationships and results, so
that's where I strive to build credibility.
Do
you read or critique people's work?
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If a client needs
coaching that requires direct attention to a specific piece of writing, or
attention to a technical aspect of writing that spans multiple pieces, then,
yes, I will read or critique work. The specifics of this arrangement
are negotiated on a case-by-case basis. If you're looking strictly for
critique, however--or editing, book doctoring, proofreading, etc.--you would
be better served by a professional editor or a competent writers group.
Can
I do just one coaching session at a time?
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I prefer to work on a
monthly basis (three sessions) because writing is a multi-faceted process
and a month is a good time frame for making visible progress. That
said, I will do single sessions if it's clear that this is the best
arrangement to serve a client's needs.
What's the difference between coaching and therapy?
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I think the main
difference is that therapy often addresses and looks at the past, whereas
coaching is primarily concerned with finding the best path toward a desired
future. Therapists typically work with clients who need professional
help to work towards healing, recovery and issue resolution; coaches
typically work with clients who want a detached partner to help them evolve
and enhance their lives. Therapists are experts in medical and
behavioral sciences and are trained to treat diagnosable conditions; coaches
see their clients' brilliance, strengths, and areas in need of development,
and are trained to support them as they achieve a certain desired outcome.
Therapists generally keep their personal feelings and thoughts removed;
coaches use personal experience and disclosure as a tool to catalyze and
challenge their clients.
What's the difference between coaching and consulting?
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Consulting and
coaching often overlap, but here are some basic differences:
Consultants advise clients about how to solve problems; coaches guide
clients toward their own best solutions. Consultants are focused
primarily on
end results; coaches are focused primarily on people and relationships; consultants are hired to produce
a certain desired outcome; coaches are hired to support clients as they define and
work toward a certain desired outcome.
Why
is coaching becoming so popular?
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Because it works!
Also because there seems to be a trend in our society away from 'diagnosis,'
or problem-based helping. Coaching focuses on what's right, what's
working, and what will continue to work to move a client forward toward
meaningful change. This isn't to say that problems and challenges
aren't addressed or looked at--they are--but they aren't the centerpieces of
the coaching process; rather, they're a means to find the best path forward.
How
much does coaching cost?
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My fee varies
depending on each individual's needs and the duration of the initial
coaching contract, and is best discussed in person. The best way to
determine if coaching represents a good value for you is to request a
sample
session.
There's no pressure, no sales pitch and no obligation--just firsthand
coaching experience and an opportunity to get all your questions answered.
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