Coaching

You are an absolutely amazing teacher. I learned more from you in one day than I did in my year-long writing intensive. —Karen Terrell

Tanja has the amazing talent of creating a totally positive and magical environment where writers can feel comfortable and confident enough to share their most intimate work while giving deeply reflective and creative feedback. –S.S.

Tanja is more a “book therapist” than coach because she’s experienced firsthand a writer’s inner critic saying, “No one wants to hear your story.” Offering the perfect balance of “Do better” with “You can do it,” she’s capable of simply getting authors to sit butt in chair and write. Even as a professional writer myself, I couldn’t have committed to my memoir without her compassionate guidance. –Heather Mundt

Writing Coaching

Coaching is tailored to your needs and expertise level and meets you where you’re at—whether you’re just starting a project, are stuck or are looking for concrete support to help you reach the finish line. Coaching can be helpful whether you’re just starting to explore your story or are writing an essay or a book. Writing coaching typically includes a mix of the following:

  • Help clarifying your project’s focus and narrowing your audience and goals.
  • Help creating a road map for your project.
  • Help setting up a consistent writing schedule that works for you.
  • Craft and technique tips and teaching to address
    • story structure
    • pacing
    • character development
    • conflict
    • setting
    • dialogue
    • perspective and/or point of view (POV)
    • tone/voice
    • showing v. telling and
    • narrative style and organization.
  • Support, coaching and resources for inner critic and writer’s block.
  • Accountability and support.

Although I do individual coaching calls, I recommend a deeper commitment for the more serious writer. The following packages are designed to help you get off the ground and create the momentum you’ll need to reach the finish line.

Get Started (1 month)

We’ll meet 3 times over the course of a month to clarify your topic and goals, address craft and technique, create a writing schedule that works for you, tackle any sticking points you have, and get you the accountability and support you need.

  • 3 calls (one week off) via phone or Zoom.
  • 10-15 pages of manuscript review.
  • Craft and technique training and resources.
  • Support, coaching and resources for inner critic and writer’s block.
  • Accountability and support. In between calls, you’ll send me a weekly progress report to stay accountable.

Momentum (3 months)

We’ll meet 3 times/month over the course of 3 months to dive into your project (whether that’s a book or a shorter piece), create momentum and get you closer to the finish line. In addition to clarifying your focus, narrowing your audience, and creating a roadmap for your project, we’ll highlight craft and technique to make your writing shine. We’ll get you the support and accountability you need as well as well as help you get past sticking points.

  • 3 calls (one week off) via phone or Zoom.
  • 20-25 pages of manuscript review/month.
  • Craft and technique training and resources.
  • Support, coaching and resources for inner critic and writer’s block.
  • Accountability and support. In between calls, you’ll send me a weekly progress report to stay accountable.
  • This package includes the option of increasing your manuscript review pages and decreasing calls accordingly.

If you’re interested in writing coaching, please reach out. I offer 30-minute introductory calls to ensure we’re a good fit and see how we might work together. There is no charge for these calls.

Contact me to schedule a call to ensure we’re a good fit.

Get in touch
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