About The Writing Cycle
Most aspiring authors have a knack for story: avid readers who captivate friends in conversation, they harbor a tale they’ve waited a lifetime to tell.
But they’ve been tricked into thinking writing is both easier, and harder, than it seems.
On one hand, humans use language to do everything from text to jot grocery lists. Who hasn’t written a school paper or Instagram post? Unlike a sculptor’s tools to cast in bronze, most of us feel an intimacy with words. How hard can they be to arrange on a page? Yet even gifted storytellers find themselves at a loss when faced with craft challenges such as structuring narrative arcs, limiting point of view, or controlling past versus past-perfect verb tenses in flashback scenes.
On the other, too many talented writers get tricked into thinking they must master “secret rules,” and lose heart when their process looks nothing like Hemingway’s. They wonder how to make the writing process easier, more fun, and more effective. In truth, with direction: a word after a word, a page after a page, a day after a day does add up to a finished book. And your unique voice is the very thing that adds value.
The question is, why have we been trained to believe writing is a rare talent rather than an acquired skill? What’s more, why must we must master this alone?
What if I told you:
Step I. If you’re willing to hire a writing coach, your skills will accelerate and pages accumulate.
Step II. If you need encouragement drafting, accountability can help.
Step III. If you hire a professional editor, elements of craft or grammar may no longer prevent you from publication.
If you follow the stages of The Writing Cycle, you will succeed.
I know. Not only am I a writer and writing coach myself, I have also edited books published with big houses, small presses, and self-publishers, as well as studied Creativity Coaching with America’s foremost expert.
The Writing Cycle evolved out of my desire to reflect the authentic nature of the writing process. My services get work publication-ready by turning ideas into art using the tools of craft. Many book-coaches apply a business-model to creativity, which may sell, but let’s be honest: it does not produce very good work.
Writers are artists, writing is art, and art must be honored.
I base this belief on fifteen years teaching college creative writing, while in community with some of today’s best working writers.
Of course, writers must pitch, place, and market manuscripts. But first, they must tap into their unconscious minds, bring depths of passion and purpose to the page, and develop healthy writing habits.
How would you feel to finally finish a book that impacts the lives of readers? Better yet, to have that process unfold organically, with a mentor helping you from concept through development?
To learn more about The Writing Cycle, here are ten rules for writing that guide my philosophy.
Look around, then reach out.
