Hello...
My name is Erin Halden. I’m a developmental editor and book coach with more than 25 years of experience in shaping stories that work. I help Kidlit and select Adult fiction writers find and develop their story’s inner core so they can solve the plot problems that are keeping them stuck in revision. I work with writers who’ve been at it for a while, who’ve read the craft books and taken the classes and gone to the workshops, but who are stuck mid-draft, or have a full draft that isn’t quite working yet. They’re looking for a fresh perspective, a plan to make meaningful progress, and the structure and accountability to keep them moving forward.
I’m also a fellow writer. Showing up to the page, honing my craft, building my body of work, even on the hard days. Just like you.
Click here to learn more about me, my writing, and my journey from documentary scriptwriter to Author Accelerator-certified book coach.
You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck
Does any of this sound familiar?
You’ve been working on your manuscript for months/years and it’s still not working and you don’t know what else to try
You’ve gotten conflicting feedback from beta readers, leaving you more confused and discouraged than ever
You’re lost in the woods of your story, overwhelmed, frustrated, and ready to give up
You don’t need to give up! What you need is honest, professional feedback on what’s working and what isn’t, along with an actionable plan that gets you moving forward again.
How I Can Help
Every writer is different. But stuck writers are often stuck for the same reasons:
They don’t know why they’re writing this story. They had an idea and they just ran with it. And now they’re stuck.
I’ll help you clearly articulate your Why and connect it to your story’s themes so you can write a story that resonates.
They don’t know what their characters need to learn. Or what that even means.
I’ll help you find and hone your protagonist’s inner arc of change so it will power your plot to a satisfying conclusion.
They’ve hit a plateau in their growth as a writer and another workshop or craft book isn’t going to help.
I’ll help you dig into your story, assess what’s working and what needs development, and build a plan to make meaningful progress. Instead of learning how to revise in the abstract from a class or a book or an Instagram post, you’re hands-on, practicing craft using your own manuscript. And watching your story get stronger along the way.
“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.
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.
THE INSIDE OUT STORY BLUEPRINT
A four-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.
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.
Which Path Is Right for You?
Here’s a blog post I wrote 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 Discovery Call, a quick Zoom 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.”
