Why Writers Need Coaches
You could struggle yourself and make every mistake in the book, or you could hire someone to help smooth the
Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gandalf. Dumbledore. Mr. Miyagi.
What do all these characters have in common? They are the mentors that guide the hero on the hero’s journey. Without their teachings, wisdom, and power, the stories of their designated hero’s wouldn’t work out as well. When a hero is thrust onto a perilous quest, they are hardly ever prepared. They need a guide. They need a mentor. They need a coach.
And you aren’t that different.
When writers have a story on their hearts and a message they want to get out into the world, one of the worst things we can do is go at it alone. Trying to pave our own way single-handedly might be promoted in our culture, but it’s certainly not the Biblical way nor the most productive way. We need help. We need the wisdom of those that have gone before us.
Here are a few reasons why you as a writer might need a coach.
This post is made possible by Word Ninjas, a group by Karen Bouchard.
1) Writing Coaches Help You Avoid Rookie Mistakes
I’m sorry to say, but I’ve seen a lot of cringe in Christian writing and publishing, especially with those that put out their first book. Bad covers, confusing blurbs, vague titles while trying to target “everyone” as their audience scream that this person tried their best but made some rookie mistakes. Mistakes are okay! We all go through a learning process. But coaches step in to help you avoid as many mistakes as possible so you can start ahead of the game right from the start.
Coaches have been around the block, and maybe made a bunch of mistakes themselves over the years! They can steer you in the right direction and tell you what not to do. Their training will give you a leg up on someone doing it all themselves.
Despite having essentailly all knoweldge at our finger-tips thanks to the internet, humans are generally bad at picking which information is best. That’s why I lean on experts who have the experience and training to discern the best information. Coaches guide you on the best shortcut so you don’t have to fumble and bumble all on your own.
2) Writing Coaches Offer Personalized Help
You might be wondering why coaches are your best bet and not a course or book or some other form of on-demand educaiton. The simple answer is that coaches can personalize their help. Even in group coaching scenarios, your mentor can take your specific questions and go into detail on what would help you specifically!
This is my favorite part about the coaching group I’m in now. During our Q&A meetings, I can just ask questions that are relevant to me and my situation. The coach knows me now and so tailors the answer to my needs. While we have training sessions that are more generalist, because they are live I can ask for clarification, ask how to handle a certian problem, or ask to know more. It’s hard to beat the value of personalized help!
3) Writing Coaches have Different Specializations
While writing coaches can be jack-of-all-trades, there are also coaches that specialize in particular areas. Some are all about craft, some are all about marketing, some are all about self-publishing.
Specialization is really important for two reasons: First, it allows you to pay for only what you need the most. Second, it usually means the person is really good at that one area because that’s what they predominantly focus on.
I’ve committed to hiring a new coach or joining a paid membership every year, each year with a different specialty. This year, I have an online marketing coach. Next year, I’ll try to focus on a different area. I want a variety of perspectives on topics that the coaches are experts on so I can always stay up to date on the latest trends and knowledge. Because coaches know their niche and industry so well, they can give me the highlights and tell me what’s working now. A book published a few years ago can’t tell me that. But coaches can.
4) Writing Coaches Encourage You to Keep Going
Raise your hand if you’ve ever started a writing project but then didn’t finish. I’m raising my hand! It’s very easy to not finish something, either because time gets out of hand, you lack motivation, or you just don’t know what to say next.
Quitting is easy and it’s all too common.
Enter the writing coach. Like a good coach in any environment, a writing coach is there to cheer you on and motivate you when you want to give up. They can hound you just enough so “started” because “finished.” On your roughest days, when writer’s block and self-doubt creeps in, coaches will be there to pull you from your funk. Blogs and books might give you the info, they they lack the personal touch of a mentor who knows and cares about you telling you “You can do it.”
5) Writing Coaches Have Connections
One of the number one reasons you should become buddies with coaches is that often enough they know people. They have valuable industry connections with movers and shakers. Having a coach means you get access to some of these connections.
A writing coach may have a repoire with agents or publishers and might be able to introduce you to them. We all know that if two books are essentailly equal but one person has a relationship with the publisher, the publisher is going to offer a contract to the person they know better. Trust is the foundaiton of good business relationships. Coaches can help you build these relationships with the right people. Coaches can take you from an unknown to a known player in the field.
A Writing Hero has a Writing Wizard
On the Writing Journey, you will face perilious monsters and beasts. Going it solo is a big risk. That’s why the bravest heroes know they need a guide. Writing coaches are real-life wizards who can help you succeed on your joruney, overcoming all the obstacles sent your way. Don’t discount these writing wizards.
Karen Bouchard of Word Ninjas has been a professional writer, copywriter, writing coach, and marketing coach for more than 30 years. She is the author of Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt and a more than a dozen other traditionally published books.
Karen offers group coaching to writers through a private Facebook group called Word Ninjas. In Word Ninjas, Karen helps writers improve their writing skills, build their author platforms, and market their books.
As a member of Word Ninjas, you’ll learn how to: 1. Clarify your vision; 2. Complete and perfect your manuscript; 3. Connect with publishers, agents, and readers. You’ll also:
Get personal feedback on samples of your writing
Get your own BookFunnel landing page you can use to grow your readership with sample chapters and other freebies (click here to see how BookFunnel works)
Create and launch an author newsletter
And more!
Check out Word Ninjas for a week for free by clicking here: www.wordninjas.com
Here’s what a member of Word Ninjas has to say:
"Karen’s ability to encourage writers and take them to new levels is outstanding. Her coaching provides a great catalyst for growth for those of us pursuing writing goals. As a member of Word Ninjas, my life as an author has been deeply impacted and blessed by Karen’s compassion and encouragement throughout the writing and publishing process.”
Rachel Moore
Author, A Way in the Wilderness
Join the Word Ninjas coaching group today and tell Karen that Chrsitian Writing Success sent you!