All the cliched images of writers have something in common—the tough guy with a manual typewriter and a glass of whiskey, the willowy girl perched at a window with a notebook, the misunderstood genius in a garret—they’re always alone.
But writing a book is a team effort. Every writer needs an editor, and other help. You cannot do it alone.
The most accomplished writers are often most aware of this need. I have coaching clients who are brilliant, with extraordinary talents.
Clients come in two categories: those who are looking for a truthful reaction to their work, and those who want help and guidance to create.
I provide a unique service for the first group. As I’ve written here before, beginning writers are beset by positive liars. Friends and family are supportive. People offering self-publishing services see no flaws.
For a distinguished architect, late in his career, I read work about his urban planning theories. For an extremely successful engineer in a cutting-edge field, I read about his burn-out amid amazing achievements. For a finance whiz, I read about his big picture ideas on how the economy works.
In each case, I did a quick assessment and wrote a detailed memo about the potential for the book, its problems, and its strengths. They didn’t all like what I said, but they did all appreciate that I told them the truth.
My long-term coaching clients are developing full books. Writing a book has many stages, and most people don’t know much about those stages or how to navigate them. Most writers need both broad-brush and detailed feedback as they write.
These folks have all been quite impressive.
An academic writing a memoir. He has finished an illustrious career that reached the very highest levels, he has published more than 40 books and thousands of articles, and he has been quoted everywhere.
He knows how to write, but he needed help switching from the voice he used in his textbooks and scholarly output to be more engaging and open his memoir, and to tell stories.
A mid-career scientist at the top of his game. He has remarkable power and reach in his field and beyond. He wants to write a book for a general audience that will popularize his research and spread its impact.
He needed to find a way to connect with readers at their level without talking down. And to learn how to build the excitement of discovery into the work he described.
A pair of doctors who wanted to write about a family issue in their lives and their patients’ lives in a way that could help readers and caregivers.
A young man immersed in history, with remarkable potential, who needed to shape his work and sharpen his writing for his next stage.
And others. I haven’t worked with anyone whose talent I didn’t respect. As a coach, I’ve been proud to be a member of each of their teams.
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