Writing is easy. What to write about isn’t.
You can be a better writer through focussing on the craft of writing, attending courses, getting feedback, studying, submitting your work to magazines and competitions. Nothing new there.
Learning about yourself as a writer can be harder.
A recent client was really struggling with the role of writing in their life, they couldn’t find room for it, and felt uninspired. They were thinking of quitting. Through careful questions and intense listening, we were able to define and refine why the client wanted to write and what they wanted to write about, we could focus in on themes and meaning, both in subject and the writing life. Coaching helped the client find clarity and discover flow again. This made it simple to see and feel the role of writing in the clients life, and simplify what to write about. We rediscovered inspiration and connected again to the power of writing from core place.
In writer coaching, we sometimes coach on story, structure, plot, characterisation etc. For many clients this coaching journey evolves into something more fundamental, who you are as a writer, what is your voice, what is important for you about writing? It’s a voyage of self-discovery, because having a real sense of who you are and why you write, provides a powerful foundation from which to write. It helps focus on your themes and the meaning of your work. Because of this, it helps writers find inspiration and flow in the act of writing. This is a powerful place from which to write because it is therapeutic, uplifting and joyful. It can separate out the need to be published, famous, rich and successful, from the need to simply write. It helps uncover your personal drive to write, and helps you know what to write about. Once again, finding clarity is essential.
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