My first writing coach was my editor back when I was a newspaper reporter. He taught me how to structure my stories better; write openings that were effective; and how to use quotes to bring out the interviewee’s personality, for good or for bad. He’d make me rewrite something if it didn’t “sing,” but he’d tell me what it needed to hit the right notes. During my tenure with the newspaper, my writing abilities grew exponentially.
Over the years, my writing “coaches” were mainly teachers, or feedback from writing groups, or critique from colleagues.
When I hired a writing coach for my novel-in-process, that was when I truly realized the value of working with a writing coach. She not only helped me with my writing, but she helped my confidence, and challenged me to write with my best self.
Having a writing coach in one’s corner is truly beneficial to professional development. Many famous writers know this, which is why they, too, use writing coaches. Ever heard of Stephen King? F. Scott Fitzgerald? William Faulkner? Ernest Hemingway? They were/are all prominent writers and likely it’s because they all had/have writing coaches.
Whether writing a novel, nonfiction book, or business communications in your company, all of us benefit from a writing coach.
If you’ve been writing for some time, you may wonder: Do I need a writing coach?
If you write in-house for your company, are colleagues enough to help you reach your potential?
What are the benefits of working with a writing coach?
Here are 4 reasons to consider when deciding to work with a writing coach.
(1) A writing coach is objective
Friends and family are either great cheerleaders or dream crushers. They know you too well and may not understand your point when reading your work. And usually, they are not avid readers or editors and do not know how to edit someone’s writing.
A writing coach is objective.
Your writing coach learns your goals and your writing style and can help you meet your aspirations. Your writing coach wants to help your writing to shine and hit those high notes.
A coach helps you see your writing from different angles and will challenge you to try new things. Your background or standing in the community or with your family does not sway your coach. The only concern is to help you write better.
(2) A writing coach uses editing prowess
While writing is the start of the story, editing is the skill that turns your work into art.
A writing coach uses editing prowess to help your work read coherently, succinctly, and effectively. Whether you’re writing a novel or a press release, your editor understands audiences and the language needed to speak to each.
Editing is not just about grammar and spelling (that’s more what a proofreader does), but it’s about structure. Your coach will review how your story or communications are laid out on the page and whether sentences need a realignment to make the work powerful.
A writing coach, as an editor, will help you arrange all your story’s pieces to fit into a beautiful arc.
(3) A writing coach advances professional development
If our writing is in-house at our company, we might combine forces with colleagues. Perhaps they proofread our materials and offer feedback, which can be helpful when we miss important information.
The downside to using colleagues within our organization is that everyone’s thinking is aligned with the company. In other words, everyone speaks the same company language. Therefore, objectivity is difficult to come by. And if they do not have editing experience, it would be difficult to notice what an outsider might observe with the writing.
Therefore, a writing coach can help you expand your capabilities and professional development. Being a good writer is necessary in your business growth because business relies on communication. Whether you are in the communications department or are a C-Suite executive, you will need to write well.
A business writing coach understands the communications process, both internal and external. Your coach will have a global perspective when it comes to communications, and how language and terminologies are used in different cultures. And your coach will know the writing styles for the variety of mediums a business uses in its communications.
Also, if your professional background is not in writing or communications, a writing coach can help you tap into your strengths to write well.
Overall, your coach will help elevate your writing skills.
(4) A writing coach is your cheerleader
Finally, your writing coach is also your cheerleader. Remember above when I mentioned how friends and family can sometimes crush our dreams? A writing coach will support your dreams.
Your writing coach helps you build your confidence in your writing abilities. As you work closely with your coach and begin to see your vision taking shape on the page, you will discern potential you might not have realized was there.
Your writing coach is your ally in your work. Being a writer sometimes feels as though you are in a lonely dimension. Your hard work is ignored or unappreciated. Your writing coach is there to remind you that you are not alone and that your work is important.
As you grow in your skills, your confidence will blossom. Your writing coach is there to do the watering.
Whether writing a novel, nonfiction book, or business communications in your company, all of us benefit from a writing coach. A writing coach is objective, uses editing prowess, helps with professional development, and is your cheerleader and overall supporter of your work.
(Photo by Arina Krasnikova from Pexels)
Need focused, personal attention on your writing? If you desire to improve your writing skills for your business communications or your book or next project, contact me for one-on-one coaching.
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