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 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’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.
How’s Your Book Going?
If you’re like most of us writers, the story probably goes a little like this. Once upon a time, a story idea crawled under your skin and wouldn’t leave you alone until you sat down and wrote it. At first, it was fun. You built your characters, your world, your plot. You watched your word count grow.
And then.
You weren’t sure what should happen next. Or how that character would react. Or whether this story makes any sense at all. Maybe you even got to The End, but have a feeling that something isn’t quite working and you don’t know why or how to fix it.
So you headed back to Chapter 1, started revising. Hoped whatever was wrong would work itself out on the page. When it didn’t, you tried again. And again. Now you’re stuck in revision quicksand – the harder you try, the deeper you sink.
There is a way out.
How I Can Help
Writers get stuck in revision quicksand for three reasons:
They don’t know why they’re writing this story.
“I’ve always wanted to write” might get you started, but it won’t get you across the finish line. Knowing what it is you’re trying to say is the first step to crafting a story that works.
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.
Even if you’re bubbling with ideas for what happens next, if you have no idea why any of it matters to the characters, you’re going to get stuck.
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.
Classes, workshops, conferences, and craft books are a great way to get started, but at some point you don’t need more information on character arcs. You need to know if your character arc works.
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.
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.
Who I Work With
I work 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.
Read more about who I work with, and what genres I work in, 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.”
