You did it! You started your book…
You went for it. Took that story idea that’s been rolling around in your head for months, years, a lifetime and jumped right in. You’ve got a handful of chapters, or maybe full first draft, and you’re like…
Now what?
All the craft books and classes, all the Save-The-Cat-Hero’s-Journey-3-Act-Beat-Sheet-Outline-Till-You-Drop formulas, all the Instagram influencers reels…they got you started.
But they can’t get you to The End.
Because they can’t tell you what you really need to know.
Does YOUR book work?
Hello...
I’m Erin Halden, developmental editor and book coach. I work with fiction writers to solve the problems that are keeping them from getting to The End. Because that’s what writing is. Constant. Problem. Solving.
Is this character believable?
Does this plot twist make sense?
Why do I keep getting stuck on Chapter 12?
Did this revision pass make any difference?
DOES THIS STORY WORK? LIKE, AT ALL??
I hear you.
Writing is hard.
I can help.
What You Need Now: The Big Picture
One of the most important skills all writers need to develop is their ability to see their story’s Big Picture. To look up from the line- and scene-level and see their story as a whole. To be able to articulate their unique authorial vision.
That’s why all the tips, tricks, and formulas ultimately fail to get you to The End. Unless you know WHY you are writing this story, what it is you’re trying to say, and how you’re going to say that with this particular story, you’ll struggle to write a story that works.
So that’s where we start. With you. With you Why. Your vision. Then, together, we work outward to your Who (characters) and your What (plot.) We figure out where your story is working, and where it’s not. When you take the time to understand your story at this deep level, you’ll stop:
Getting stuck in the messy middle
Struggling to figure out if what happens next is what’s supposed to happen next
Revising and revising and still feeling like your story isn’t working
You’ll finally be able to weave theme and character ad plot together into the story you’ve always dreamed of telling. And you’ll become the writer you’ve always wanted to be. A writer who can articulate their authorial vision, and who can structure a story that works around that vision. A writer who knows how to get to The End.
I’ve been in the story-shaping business for more than twenty five years. You can read more about me and my journey from documentary producer and scriptwriter to book coach here. I love watching writers find their story. Their whole face lights up, their voices change. I can see the dark clouds of doubt and frustration lifting as they begin to believe in their story and in themselves again. You can get there, too.
“Erin’s guidance and expertise improved my middle grade manuscript beyond what I expected. Her encouraging support, insight-filled critique, and plain-spoken guidance made the revision more productive and effective than I imagined it could be. That’s why I retained her for my second novel as well. Now I’m writing a third middle grade adventure and expect Erin will be hearing from me to work on that one together, too.”
Three Ways to Work With Me
No self-paced courses. No one-size-fit-all. I work directly with you on your story.
ReVision LAB
A six-week coaching intensive that will help you get your arms around the inner core and outer plot of your story. Great for writers looking to learn more about story structure and how it is, and isn’t, working in their story. Also great for the coaching-curious. Learn more here.
1:1 COACHING
Ongoing guidance and support as you work on your story, with regular deadlines and actionable feedback designed to help you make meaningful progress. Great for writers ready to roll up their sleeves and dig into their manuscripts. Learn more here.
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATIONS
A 360-degree view of your manuscript, from theme to character to plot, with actionable feedback and a revision plan. Great for writers looking for a fresh perspective and a path forward. Also great for the coaching-curious. Learn more here.
You’ve Been Going It Alone
You thought writers were supposed to be lone geniuses scribbling away in attics, right?
Nope.
Look at the acknowledgements in the back of every book you own. You’ll see a list of people who helped that writer get to where they are today.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re struggling or lost or the words aren’t flowing or the plot won’t untangle and you MUST be the only one for whom this whole book writing thing hard, know that the lone writer genius is a myth. A pretty damaging one. One that can make you feel like you’re failing before you even get started. Writers need community around them. They need the right people and the right time to help them get where they need to go.
If you’re trying to finish a draft, preparing for a revision, or in the middle of a revision and you’re done trying to go it alone, then it’s the right time for a book coach. And you’re in the right place.
Which Path Is Right for You?
Here’s a blog post that can help you think through which path is right for you. But the best way to find out which path is right for you is a free Discovery Call, where we can talk about your project and how I can help.
“Erin’s ability to communicate complex ideas in simple way is among the many skills she brings to the table. She understood my book and what I wanted to do with it. She helped me zoom out and see my story objectively, cut away the excess, and let the best parts shine. Thanks to her, my manuscript is now ready to query.”
