Coaching
If you’re reading this, you probably have a piece of writing that you’re working on—something beautiful, intermittently exalted, and maddeningly imperfect. You may be wondering how to finish it, or how to revise it, or if you might benefit from a little expert help. The short answer is yes, absolutely. A good writing coach can save you time, clear up the confusion when you get stuck, teach you shortcuts, rescue you from constantly reinventing the wheel—and, most importantly, keep you motivated and focused.
I work with students of all kinds, from beginners to highly experienced writers. They write fiction, memoir, essay, narrative nonfiction, or work in a hybrid form that crosses those genres. The work I do is tailored to each individual student but tends to fall into a few basic categories:
Coaching sessions: You send me up to a dozen double-spaced pages prior to meeting. We go over those pages together on a Zoom call of up to two hours, discussing language, voice, tone, character, plot, scene—all the elements that make a piece of writing compelling, honest, and true.
Coaching sessions are best for writers who are generating new work. They allow us to step outside of the text when necessary and talk about the writing process, design a research plan, generate an outline or scene list, and create a writing schedule with goals and deadlines. Some writers like to meet on a regular biweekly or monthly schedule; others reach out only when they have a specific problem to solve. Cost: $250 for up to a dozen double-spaced pages and a two-hour Zoom call. The feedback is spoken, not written.
Manuscript critique: You send me your manuscript, and I write a detailed critique letter focused on revision. My starting point is always what’s working, whether that’s a brilliant sentence, a fabulous scene, or a compelling situation—in effect, asking what this specific piece of writing wants to become, and how we can help it get there. Then I move on to areas that need development, dramatic opportunities, potential cuts, and possible revision strategies. We follow up on Zoom to discuss any questions.
The manuscript critique is for writers with a completed manuscript of any length, from short story or essay to full length book. Cost: a flat rate of $300 up to 25 double-spaced pages; $12 per double-spaced page after that.
The MFA consult: I often work with writers applying to MFA programs, helping them with the writing in their portfolios and with their application essays. I also line edit manuscripts that have already been through the revision process, digging into the language and bringing each sentence to its clearest, sharpest expression. The wonderful thing about coaching is that we can tailor it to your specific needs.
My coaching has been shaped by more than twenty years teaching fiction and creative nonfiction. I’ve taught MFA students and undergraduates at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, as well as at Hollins University, the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore, and Tunghai University in Taiwan. I’ve worked with non-degree students of all ages at NYU, the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, Catapult, and 1455 Lit Arts.
If you’d like to discuss how we might work together, my email is robertanthonysiegel@gmail.com.