A writing coach is a cross between a cheerleader, a taskmaster, a teacher, and a trusted, experienced critique partner.  A writing coach helps writers:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses
• Focus on natural abilities
• Appreciate their unique talents
• Protect and nurture their voice
• Learn and polish the craft to become better writers and storytellers.

Professional editors and book doctors are typically focused on helping you work through a single project and getting it ready for submission to a publisher.  It’s making that single work be the best it can be.

Coaches are focused on helping writers be the best they can be.

Both published and unpublished authors.  My focus is on writers who write commercial fiction.  By commercial fiction, I mean novels of genre fiction – romance, mystery, fantasy, and so on.  I don’t focus on literary fiction, memoirs, non-fiction, or poetry.

Genre novelists are, first of all, storytellers.  Great stories, the ones that resonate with us long after we put down a book do not simply flow from the writer’s brain to the finished page, though we all long for that simplicity when we imagine the idyllic life of a writer.  The writing process is often hard, sometimes frustrating work.  Rarely does the vision in a writer’s head match the words that make it to the page on the first try.  Great stories are the result of talent and craft coming together to become art.  As a coach, I want to help you find and develop your art.

My favorite experiences as a writer have been those unleashing a creative surge that put me in touch in my talent.  The passion and joy those experiences generate are what I want to share with you. 

A coach helps you improve your skill, whatever the endeavor.  Art emerges when talent and craft come together as a seamless whole.  If you took music lessons, you remember learning simple tunes intermixed with scales and fingering exercises.  If you took drawing or painting lessons, you remember working on whole pieces but also on doing studies to perfect various techniques.  If you played sports, you spent time learning the fundamentals of the game and then practiced the individual elements required to play well.  In most cases, a good teacher or coach helped you along in the process.  Becoming an accomplished writer and storyteller is the same application of craft, technique, and talent.  As a coach, I help with the process.

• Through an evaluation of your work, we will clarify  your goals, discover your strengths, and identify your talents.
• Based on that evaluation, we will work together to overcome your weaknesses, enhance your strengths, protect your writer’s voice (your most important asset), and develop a sensible plan to work toward your goals.  You may have writing assignments to stretch and grow you in addition to working on the story of your choice.
• Since the goal is to help you be the best writer you can be, I’ll always be in your corner cheering you on ... and yes, often gently nagging you, too.

Typically, we’ll decide on a beginning period of time to work together, eight or twelve weeks.  During that time, we’ll have a weekly one-hour telephone call that is one-on-one.  You’ll have email access to me, and you’ll share an agreed upon number of pages each week that you email to me.  Everything is customized for you, so there’s no falling behind or getting too far ahead the way you might experience in a class.

The subtext to that question is why not go it alone?  With rare exceptions, most of us benefit from the insight and experience of an instructor or a coach who can help us achieve those “aha!” or “duh!” insights more quickly than we can on our own.  Singers get better with voice coaches, actors get better with acting coaches ... so why would writing and story telling be any different?

Occasionally.  I especially like long weekend get-aways with groups of fewer than ten, meeting in a relaxed atmosphere where there’s a balance between writing time, free writing time, activities to refill your creative well, and enjoying the fellowship of other writers who are on the same journey.  These are typically made up of past and current clients.  I can also put together retreats for a group, such as a critique group, focusing on your specific wants and goals.

If you would like to be placed on a mailing list to receive information about the next planned retreat, please send me your email address here.

I’m not a book doctor or professional editor though the work I do with you may involve “doctoring” or editing your manuscript.  My primary focus in working with you is to help you become the writer you would like to be, rather than focusing on and fixing a particular manuscript.  As a coach, I want to see you forge ahead with the necessary skills to be your own best editor and book doctor.

If you have been referred by someone else, that referral is a professional courtesy, and no money or fees are ever paid.  

I’m not an agent nor do I solicit business through any agent.  In my opinion, the job of an agent is to sell finished work.  The Association of Author Representatives is a professional organization for literary agents, and their website http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do has a lot of information for authors seeking representation. 

I make no guarantee that your work will sell.  That’s worth repeating.  I do not guarantee your work will sell ... nor can anyone make that guarantee.

Finally, as you can see from the rest of my website, I make my living as an author, so I have experience in the field.

To get started, you’ll be asked to send me the first 20 to 50 pages of your current work-in-progress, and you’ll receive back my evaluation of 5 to 10 pages plus a telephone consultation.  The fee for this is $100.  If we decide to work together, $50 of this fee will be applied toward your first eight or twelve week session.

After the evaluation, if we decide to work together, the fee (if you live in the Continental United States)  is $600 for twelve weeks or $500 for eight weeks, payable in advance.  For this, you’ll have a weekly one-hour telephone consultation that is one-on-one, daily email access, and weekly writing assignments that you share based on the plan we develop together.  After your initial session is over, the month-to-month rate is $200 per month would we decide to continue to work together. 

If you live outside the Continental United States, ask for a quote.

Send me an email indicating your interest, and I’ll send you back a questionnaire.  After I receive your email, I’ll send you the instructions for sending in your evaluation piece and payment.

"Whether working with a new writer or an experienced, published author, Sharon Mignerey is a master at providing the insight and indispensable proofreading required to elevate a writer’s story to the next level of achievement.  Her years of experience at critiquing, coupled with her own professional career as a writer, make her a pro at helping others polish their stories until they shine. One of her most exceptional skills is the self-confidence she inspires in other writers.  Whether providing constructive criticism, suggestions for improvement, or heartfelt encouragement, Sharon always evokes a can-do attitude with whomever she works with. If not for her love of writing books, I’m sure Sharon could easily get a job as an editor at any publishing house. She is that good."

Liz Roadifer
Award-winning writer
Her articles have been published in magazines and
newspapers throughout the country, and her essays
and poetry have appeared in literary magazines.

"Sharon Mignerey is the most supportive person of other writers whom I've ever known.  She is knowledgeable both technically and for looking at the big picture.  As a plotting partner, she is excellent for helping out with motivation, incorporating interesting and unique twists.  But the real strength Sharon has is in LISTENING and couching suggestions in a positive manner.  Her critiques are insightful and helpful without being harsh or negative.  Working with Sharon means you'll always have a supportive, informative experience." 

Robin Owens
Award-winning Author of Fantasy and Futuristic Romance
www.robinowens.com

"Sharon Mignerey is the ideal coach for the beginning writer to the expert.  A master of her craft, Sharon’s writing skills and her patience and ability when teaching are not to be outdone.  Anyone lucky enough to take a class from Sharon will walk away with better writing tools, and a greatly improved chance for success.  Whether you’re looking to break into the market or looking to break onto the bestseller list, Sharon Mignerey is the writing coach who can get you there."

Christine Goff
bestselling author of the Bird Watcher Series
www.christinegoff.com

"Sharon Mignerey is not only a writer of can’t-put-them-down novels, but she’s also an excellent teacher of how to write them.  Her critiquing style is non-threatening and encouraging while pinpointing problems and offering workable suggestions.    Under her mentorship, I experienced many “aha” moments and saw my writing dramatically improve.  I learned more from Sharon about writing novels than from all the other resources I consulted.  But more than just teaching me how to make my manuscripts saleable, Sharon modeled the perseverance and professionalism an author needs to navigate a writing career through the disappointments, detours, and disasters inherent in the publishing world.  And she was always there for me with gentle words of wisdom."

Karen Graffenberger

"As a beginning fiction writer, Sharon guided me through the basic fundamentals of the craft.  As my skills advanced, she helped me create vivid settings, lively characters, and engaging dialogue.  I discovered my unique voice as a writer through her mentoring.  No matter where one begins the journey, Sharon will walk alongside you, blending encouragement and technical expertise to help you achieve your dreams."

Daniele Seidner

"At the end of my rope, rejected and with no encouragement in my corner...I met Sharon.  Her words of advice not only improved my writing, but kept me writing. I'm now represented by an agent and was a Golden Heart finalist."

Angi Platt

"Sharon Mignerey and her gentle guidance helped make me the confident writer I am today.  Her treasure trove of knowledge about the industry, the craft, and the ins and outs of making a successful writing career.  I highly recommend anyone looking to expand their knowledge and skill base listen to what Sharon has to share."

Kally Jo Surbeck
Award Winning author