Consulting Services

Laguna Writers

A SAFE PLACE TO WRITE

Consulting and Coaching

I meet with my participants outside of the workshops to discuss writing goals, dreams, ideas, and questions they may have. Sometimes a participant will ask me to comment on a manuscript, and I'll look it over and encourage him or her to submit it to the workshop for group feedback. This always proves invaluable to the writer, since the atmosphere of the writing workshop is one of safety and trust.

I also work with writers who are not in the workshops; they hire me as a manuscript consultant or a coach.

Helping you reach your writing goals. The work I do with individuals outside of the workshops varies, and I let the writers set the goals for our time together. In the past, I've read entire first drafts of novels, collections of poetry, single short stories, and helped writers select and edit work for submission to MFA programs in writing. I also meet with writers and help them set goals for submitting their written work.

Manuscript consultation. My consultation includes a thorough reading of the writer's work, a long, detailed, typed response focusing on what's strong in the work, (as well as places I was confused or "tripped up") and grammatical and syntactical suggestions. I always meet with the writer to discuss my comments as well: the typed response is for later reference.

Supportive feedback. I'm wearing my editing hat when I read this work, but I'm also careful to exercise supportive, encouraging feedback to help writers continue to write, to build confidence around their work, and to see what's working. It always an honor to read someone's work, and I never lose sight of that during these consultations.

My fee is $50.00 an hour.

I often meet my writing clients at a local cafe in Noe Valley: Cafe Ponte. Check out their site for directions and menu choices.

http://www.cafeponte.net/

If you are interested in consulting or coaching, please contact me, or feel free to give me a call: 415-206-9771