Achieve Your Writing Goals with Forward Motion Coaching

There's a conflict of realities I've noticed most of my life. We are taught how to write from a young age, as part of our basic communication toolbox. So people enter a project in adulthood, whether it's a creative project, a work assignment, a letter, or anything else, with the expectation that they should be good at it and therefore shouldn't pay someone to do it for them, and yet don't really have the skills necesary to complete the task. This breakdown is because we were taught to write from two angles: first, the same way we were taught how to speak, as a tool to communicate (and yet many of us weren't actually taught how to communicate or think about our word choice); second, as a structured assignment with little to no room for variation.

Some of us took to it immediately and decided to experiment, break the rules, and think about what it is we really want to say and how to say it — the same way others took to math, science, computers, or sports. But for most people, it can be a struggle today to meet writing goals, even if the communication skills or desire to experiment has caught up with you.

Whether you want to write a novel, improve your business communication, or simply express yourself better, working with a writing coach can be the key to unlocking your potential. Focused coaching can help you develop your writing skills, stay motivated, and achieve your goals efficiently.

Why Writing Skill Coaching Matters

Writing skill coaching offers personalized support tailored to your unique needs and objectives. Unlike generic writing courses or self-help books, coaching provides direct feedback, accountability, and encouragement. Here are some reasons why investing in writing skill coaching can transform your writing and help pave your path to publication:

• Customized Learning: Coaches assess your writing, your voice, and your goals and tailor feedback and exercises based on achieving those goals while maintaining your voice and style.

• Goal Setting and Tracking: Coaches help you set realistic, measurable writing goals and keep you on track with regular check-ins.

• Overcoming Writer’s Block: Coaches provide strategies to break through creative barriers and maintain a steady writing flow.

• Improved Confidence: Constructive feedback and positive reinforcement boost your confidence to get more creative, explore how you really see the world you're creating, and say the damn thing.

• Time Management: Coaches teach you how to carve out writing time in busy schedules and develop productive habits. By setting goals together and having regular check-ins, the accountability built in our work together lasts long after our coaching ends.

  
  

For example, if you struggle with organizing your ideas, a coach might introduce mind-mapping techniques or outline templates. If procrastination is your challenge, your coach could help you create a writing schedule with achievable daily targets.

How Writing Skill Coaching Enhances Your Craft

Writing skill coaching is not just about fixing errors; it’s about elevating your entire writing process. Here’s how coaching can enhance your craft in practical ways:

1. Developing Clear and Concise Writing

A coach guides you to express your ideas clearly. I teach my writers to to:

• Know when to use passive voice, and how to catch tics like slipping into passive voice too often.

• Break long paragraphs into digestible chunks.

• Choose precise words that convey your message effectively.

• Experiment with sentence structure and vary styles for impactful storytelling.

• Tap into what they truly want to say and chisel away the jargon that blocks the message.

  
  

2. Mastering Different Writing Styles

Whether you want to write persuasive marketing copy, engaging blog posts, or compelling fiction, coaching helps you adapt your style to your audience and purpose. Coaches provide examples and exercises tailored to your genre.

3. Strengthening Grammar and Syntax

Even experienced writers benefit from grammar refreshers. Without active feedback, writers fall into patterns that offer soothing musical structure but lack creativity of emphasis. Coaches identify recurring mistakes, tics, and crutches and provide targeted practice to improve sentence structure, punctuation, and flow.

4. Enhancing Creativity and Originality

Coaches encourage you to experiment with new ideas, perspectives, and formats. In addition to offering suggestions within a document, I sometimes recommend exercises or resources to help stretch creativity or break out of limiting patterns.

5. Building Editing and Revision Skills

Writing is having the good idea to cook dinner and gathering all the ingredients, but editing is the stovework. Coaches teach you how to self-edit effectively, spot inconsistencies, and polish your drafts for clarity and impact.

By working closely with a coach, you gain insights that accelerate your learning curve and help you produce polished, professional writing.

As an editor-in-chief, editorial director, writer, and educator, I not only know what readers and editors are looking for and how to get a story there as an editor, but how to help you get your writing there yourself, and build the skills to do it consistently.

Practical Steps to Start Your Writing Coaching Journey

Starting with writing skill coaching can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process smooth and rewarding. Here’s a practical roadmap:

Step 1: Identify Your Writing Goals

Be specific about what you want to achieve. Examples include:

• Finish a 50,000-word novel in six months.

• Improve business emails to increase client responses or feel more confident writing to colleagues.

• Write weekly blog posts with engaging content.

  
  

Step 2: Research and Choose a Coach

Look for coaches with experience in your writing area. Check testimonials, coaching styles, and session formats (online or in-person). For instance, Forward Motion Coaching offers personalized writing skill coaching tailored to nonfiction writers, particularly with stories that include outdoor recreation and personal growth.

Step 3: Schedule an Initial Consultation

Most coaches offer a free or low-cost introductory session. Use this to discuss your goals, challenges, and expectations. This meeting helps you decide if the coach is a good fit. I offer both a free consultation to discuss your project and assess whether we are a good fit, as well as a paid longer consultation that includes feedback on your writing and a detailed plan for how to move forward; this latter meeting's cost is deducted from your first month of coaching if we continue working together.

Step 4: Commit to a Coaching Plan

Agree on the frequency and length of sessions. Consistency is key to progress. Many coaches recommend weekly or biweekly meetings.

Step 5: Prepare for Each Session

Bring your writing samples, questions, and notes. Be open to feedback and ready to try new techniques. My clients typically have a longer story we are working on together and feedback to discuss, so answers to the questions posed, additional response questions, or a revised draft to review are all helpful uses of our meeting time.

Step 6: Practice Between Sessions

Apply what you learn in coaching to your writing projects. Regular practice solidifies new skills. Working with a coach on a larger project such as a full-length book is a great way to fortify skills. Whether or not you have a larger project, practicing writing in other facets of your life is a great way to have fun with writing and build confidence while developing new strengths.

Step 7: Review Progress Regularly

Together with your coach, assess your improvements and adjust goals as needed.

Following these steps ensures you get the most out of your writing skill coaching experience.

Tips for Maximizing Your Writing Coaching Experience

To make the most of your coaching, consider these actionable tips:

• Be Honest About Your Challenges: Share your struggles openly so your coach can tailor support effectively.

• Set Small Milestones: Celebrate incremental achievements to stay motivated.

• Ask Questions: Clarify doubts and seek examples to deepen your understanding.

• Stay Open to Criticism: View feedback as a tool for growth, not as personal judgment.

• Practice Daily: Even short writing sessions build momentum. I recommend Julia Cameron's morning pages, but any practice is helpful.

• Use Writing Prompts: When stuck, prompts can jumpstart creativity.

• Keep a Writing Journal: Track ideas, progress, and reflections.

• Join Writing Communities: Peer support complements coaching. Stay tuned for more information on a community I'm building here at Forward Motion Writing.

  
  

By actively engaging in the coaching process and applying these tips, you accelerate your path to becoming a confident and skilled writer.

Moving Forward with Confidence and Clarity

Writing skill coaching is a transformative investment in your personal and professional growth. It provides the structure, support, and strategies needed to overcome obstacles and reach your writing goals. Whether you aim to publish a book, enhance your communication, or simply enjoy writing more, coaching can guide you every step of the way.

If you are ready to take your writing to the next level, schedule a strategy call now to get started. With expert guidance and a clear plan, you can unlock your full writing potential and achieve success with confidence.

Start your writing journey today and watch your goals become reality.