I've been publishing and teaching for forty year and I think the answer to your question depends on the writer, their background, and their personality.
I was lucky: I learned years ago from my college mentor to not impose anything on other writers I was teaching but to help them blossom and flourish. That made me a good creative writing teacher and editor, mentor, writing coach which has been a passion for quite some time.
One of my writers recently supplied this testimonial to my website writewithoutborders.com and it blew me away: “Lev Raphael has a breadth of humanity, humor, experience and wisdom that made him a generous and inspiring writing coach. With an understanding of how to speak to a writer’s strengths, he affirmed my intuition, encouraged innovation, and helped me take creative risks that would bring out my most powerful material. I think of him as a healer, someone who instills confidence through his enthusiasm and faith in your creative potential.”
I'm reading a lot of pieces in different stages of development for writer community friends. I comment and I edit, for free. The same friends return the favor by being beta readers. Barter economy even if I don't look at it that way. I do it because I enjoy it and it teaches me things - it's easier to see what doesn't work in someone else's work, which makes me look at my own with clearer eyes.
I've never done any formal writing coach or editor work, but I've landed myself in countless volunteer situations that require adjacent effort. I think the short answer to your question is "no." Or maybe "not necessarily."
I've been on the receiving end of an editor's efforts and felt myself bristle when it was clear [or maybe I was just closed minded] that the changes were subjective preference, not substantive improvements. I think being a good coach might be different from being a good editor. In the latter, I'd expect less guidance, more red pen. In the former, the opposite. The focus would be on highlighting strengths and developing weaknesses, but the client/student would have to understand that the end goal was not a buttoned up piece of writing, and instead more of a clinic to help them see things they might not otherwise notice.
As for you and your open-shut venture -- life is too short, especially in the advanced years, to do stuff that doesn't feel like it's flowing. I'm all for continuing to challenge ourselves with mentally stimulating projects, but stepping into a role that provokes indecision and turmoil -- unless it's unavoidable -- seems counterproductive.
That's a good question, and a tricky one! It really depends. I haven't had one-on-one coaching but did recently attend a writing workshop given by a writer that was quite good. She has a knack for teaching and gave the right amount and kind of feedback. I don't know how much time she spends on it and how she balances that with her own writing, though. That seems like a tough thing to do.
I taught college writing for thirty years before I bailed out of high ed (right before ChatGPT). My goal was to help students identify the writing process that worked best for them as the foundation for anything they would come to write.
I tried to fully understand through conversation, whether in-person or virtual, what they wanted to communicate with a given piece and why it mattered. I could then identify for them in their draft(s) where the writing was effective in meeting their goals for the piece and where it wasn't. In the latter case, I would suggest various strategies for narrowing the gap between their stated goals for the piece and what was on the page, framed as strategies that other writers have found successful.
I found teaching writing easier when I stopped thinking in terms of good or bad writing and replaced that thinking with effective or ineffective writing. In other words, shifting from a focus on what the writing is to what it does.
My parting shot is that the biggest impediment to teaching students to write effectively is grades.
I taught writing skills as an elementary teacher. Was asked to teach teachers how to teach writing/prof development. Then moved on to college level teaching teachers to be. This was back in early 2000s. Since retiring, I tutored( called coach) to college kids on their essays, resumes etc. so... a long way from 4th grade creative, factual, word choice, juicy words etc. to adult grasping that writing can be fostered by reading and illustrating rising/falling action; protagonist ...amazing how many educated readers didn’t know foreshading, flashback. Guess I just taught where they weee at, what curriculums dictated. I definitely put myself into it because I get passionate telling a story and writing with them and illustrating a story arc on long butcher paper. Loved it and got paid for it. I wrote for me in journals back then. Whatever popped in my head. I loved the connection between reading and writing. Loved seeing teachers grow their skills and improve...some eventually writing novels. Today I work with local authors as a beta reader, feedback, find them gigs, help promote, review, cheer them on. Now I’ve gone far off your question 🤔😂 ... think it’s yes, I cited still enjoy writing for myself. Just like I read here all day, then curl up with a hardback thriller at bedtime 😄 I admire you knowing yourself so well to back away... knowing writing feeds your soul.
I was paid by school systems. I’m not looking to make $ now...but there are ways to use your expertise and passion for income.
I hear you. I've had the same experience with teaching painting one on one and small classes. I seem to do better with the "hit and run" weekend workshop. Really, what I know is both wide and narrow, but I can pretty much tell you everything I know in 2 days. Any longer than that and I just get exhausted, then can't work for a week or more. There is something about "going pro" that inhibits me, and makes me want to over deliver. Then I feel responsible if the person doesn't put the work in to make their work better. At this point in my life, I want (and need) to preserve my energy for my own painting and writing, and the occasional quick free consult. Maybe in another life I might have made this work, but maybe not.
Ramona, what great questions, and I really like the great responses here, which all touch on how you help a writer get to what they want to say (not what you want them to say). I’ve played all these roles, and had a freelance editing career for a while - untiI I decided I was sick of editing full-time. I guess I’d say that professional editing for a magazine or book publisher is different from being a coach or teacher. With editing for a publication, you’re in a position to impose writing style or other changes on writers. I had to learn how to do this with authority, balancing the need for editorial control with respecting a writer’s wishes - and I didn’t always get it right.
That’s why I enjoy teaching, where my goal is to help students learn how to figure out what they want to say and why. I can offer craft advice and help with keeping writers on a schedule with deadlines, but working in this capacity feels like a form of care. Again, I don’t always get it right, but this kind of work is not about imposing my will on others in the same way.
Kudos to you for deciding setting up an editing business wasn’t for you. It is a lot of work, and I say follow your passion to write 😉
Ramona, you are definitely NOT overthinking this! This is important.
For me, focus is really important. I could do a thousand things reasonably well, or I could pick five or six of them and do them incredibly well. I could maybe even pick one or two and be the best at those things.
That said, I would personally consider doing this IF I felt like I could maintain that balance. The key would be to keep the writing front and center, as the main focus, and then let the assistance/coaching/whatever compliment the writing. Take on projects IF they help you write. If not, don't do it.
I would not worry about charging for this as taking away from your writing integrity or anything like that. I don't think it damages your reputation in any way, but the main danger I see is divided focus. I would focus on that aspect if you decide do to this (and, necessarily, you'll have less of a commitment to coaching this way).
In sports, the best players are often terrible coaches & talent scouts because they often can't seem to understand why everyone else doesn't just do what they did. The best are students of the game.
I've been publishing and teaching for forty year and I think the answer to your question depends on the writer, their background, and their personality.
I was lucky: I learned years ago from my college mentor to not impose anything on other writers I was teaching but to help them blossom and flourish. That made me a good creative writing teacher and editor, mentor, writing coach which has been a passion for quite some time.
One of my writers recently supplied this testimonial to my website writewithoutborders.com and it blew me away: “Lev Raphael has a breadth of humanity, humor, experience and wisdom that made him a generous and inspiring writing coach. With an understanding of how to speak to a writer’s strengths, he affirmed my intuition, encouraged innovation, and helped me take creative risks that would bring out my most powerful material. I think of him as a healer, someone who instills confidence through his enthusiasm and faith in your creative potential.”
I'm reading a lot of pieces in different stages of development for writer community friends. I comment and I edit, for free. The same friends return the favor by being beta readers. Barter economy even if I don't look at it that way. I do it because I enjoy it and it teaches me things - it's easier to see what doesn't work in someone else's work, which makes me look at my own with clearer eyes.
I've never done any formal writing coach or editor work, but I've landed myself in countless volunteer situations that require adjacent effort. I think the short answer to your question is "no." Or maybe "not necessarily."
I've been on the receiving end of an editor's efforts and felt myself bristle when it was clear [or maybe I was just closed minded] that the changes were subjective preference, not substantive improvements. I think being a good coach might be different from being a good editor. In the latter, I'd expect less guidance, more red pen. In the former, the opposite. The focus would be on highlighting strengths and developing weaknesses, but the client/student would have to understand that the end goal was not a buttoned up piece of writing, and instead more of a clinic to help them see things they might not otherwise notice.
As for you and your open-shut venture -- life is too short, especially in the advanced years, to do stuff that doesn't feel like it's flowing. I'm all for continuing to challenge ourselves with mentally stimulating projects, but stepping into a role that provokes indecision and turmoil -- unless it's unavoidable -- seems counterproductive.
That's a good question, and a tricky one! It really depends. I haven't had one-on-one coaching but did recently attend a writing workshop given by a writer that was quite good. She has a knack for teaching and gave the right amount and kind of feedback. I don't know how much time she spends on it and how she balances that with her own writing, though. That seems like a tough thing to do.
I taught college writing for thirty years before I bailed out of high ed (right before ChatGPT). My goal was to help students identify the writing process that worked best for them as the foundation for anything they would come to write.
I tried to fully understand through conversation, whether in-person or virtual, what they wanted to communicate with a given piece and why it mattered. I could then identify for them in their draft(s) where the writing was effective in meeting their goals for the piece and where it wasn't. In the latter case, I would suggest various strategies for narrowing the gap between their stated goals for the piece and what was on the page, framed as strategies that other writers have found successful.
I found teaching writing easier when I stopped thinking in terms of good or bad writing and replaced that thinking with effective or ineffective writing. In other words, shifting from a focus on what the writing is to what it does.
My parting shot is that the biggest impediment to teaching students to write effectively is grades.
I taught writing skills as an elementary teacher. Was asked to teach teachers how to teach writing/prof development. Then moved on to college level teaching teachers to be. This was back in early 2000s. Since retiring, I tutored( called coach) to college kids on their essays, resumes etc. so... a long way from 4th grade creative, factual, word choice, juicy words etc. to adult grasping that writing can be fostered by reading and illustrating rising/falling action; protagonist ...amazing how many educated readers didn’t know foreshading, flashback. Guess I just taught where they weee at, what curriculums dictated. I definitely put myself into it because I get passionate telling a story and writing with them and illustrating a story arc on long butcher paper. Loved it and got paid for it. I wrote for me in journals back then. Whatever popped in my head. I loved the connection between reading and writing. Loved seeing teachers grow their skills and improve...some eventually writing novels. Today I work with local authors as a beta reader, feedback, find them gigs, help promote, review, cheer them on. Now I’ve gone far off your question 🤔😂 ... think it’s yes, I cited still enjoy writing for myself. Just like I read here all day, then curl up with a hardback thriller at bedtime 😄 I admire you knowing yourself so well to back away... knowing writing feeds your soul.
I was paid by school systems. I’m not looking to make $ now...but there are ways to use your expertise and passion for income.
I hear you. I've had the same experience with teaching painting one on one and small classes. I seem to do better with the "hit and run" weekend workshop. Really, what I know is both wide and narrow, but I can pretty much tell you everything I know in 2 days. Any longer than that and I just get exhausted, then can't work for a week or more. There is something about "going pro" that inhibits me, and makes me want to over deliver. Then I feel responsible if the person doesn't put the work in to make their work better. At this point in my life, I want (and need) to preserve my energy for my own painting and writing, and the occasional quick free consult. Maybe in another life I might have made this work, but maybe not.
Ramona, what great questions, and I really like the great responses here, which all touch on how you help a writer get to what they want to say (not what you want them to say). I’ve played all these roles, and had a freelance editing career for a while - untiI I decided I was sick of editing full-time. I guess I’d say that professional editing for a magazine or book publisher is different from being a coach or teacher. With editing for a publication, you’re in a position to impose writing style or other changes on writers. I had to learn how to do this with authority, balancing the need for editorial control with respecting a writer’s wishes - and I didn’t always get it right.
That’s why I enjoy teaching, where my goal is to help students learn how to figure out what they want to say and why. I can offer craft advice and help with keeping writers on a schedule with deadlines, but working in this capacity feels like a form of care. Again, I don’t always get it right, but this kind of work is not about imposing my will on others in the same way.
Kudos to you for deciding setting up an editing business wasn’t for you. It is a lot of work, and I say follow your passion to write 😉
Ramona, you are definitely NOT overthinking this! This is important.
For me, focus is really important. I could do a thousand things reasonably well, or I could pick five or six of them and do them incredibly well. I could maybe even pick one or two and be the best at those things.
That said, I would personally consider doing this IF I felt like I could maintain that balance. The key would be to keep the writing front and center, as the main focus, and then let the assistance/coaching/whatever compliment the writing. Take on projects IF they help you write. If not, don't do it.
I would not worry about charging for this as taking away from your writing integrity or anything like that. I don't think it damages your reputation in any way, but the main danger I see is divided focus. I would focus on that aspect if you decide do to this (and, necessarily, you'll have less of a commitment to coaching this way).
In sports, the best players are often terrible coaches & talent scouts because they often can't seem to understand why everyone else doesn't just do what they did. The best are students of the game.