I coach aspiring novelists - especially blocked writers

Pro

Matthew McGuinness

Starting at

$

40

/hr

About this service

Summary

There are two things that most commonly stop people from writing:
1) You don't HAVE to write so don't write because that is easier. I will correct this by agreeing very short deadlines and a specific number of words you have to write by then. That's ACCOUNTABILITY.
2) You have plenty of ideas for what to write, but you find it difficult to let go of some and run with others. I will correct this by listening to all your ideas and giving my honest opinion on which is best. We'll agree which idea you're going to run with. That's what I call CREATIVE DECISION SUPPORT.

Process

I prefer to communicate with messaging apps as it leaves a record of meetings for you.
We will meet for 1 hour to start with to discuss your vision of the novel and where you are currently at with your first draft.
We'll agree the date and time of our next meeting on a messaging app. We'll also agree how much you plan to write by then and what idea you are going to work on.
You will deliver your work to me before the agreed meeting (we'll agree how much time I need).
The meeting will last no more than 15 minutes.
I will share my key feedback points in the messaging app
we will agree where the story should go next
also how much you will write by the next meeting
and when the next meeting will be - usually only a day or two ahead.
Each meeting is usually charged at the rate of $10 / 15 minutes. If the word limit is not reached, it is $20 / 15 minutes. Cancelled appointments are charged at $10 / 15 minutes.
I look after the draft text. You are not allowed to go back and work on it again.
We can go on like this for as long as it takes to get your draft done or until you stop for other reasons.

What's included

  • I provide very short, very frequent feedback on your writing

    If you are struggling to write a first draft of a novel - maybe even suffering from complete writer's block - I have a service that may help you. There are two things that most commonly stop people from writing: lack of accountability and indecision. The answer is a schedule of micro-meetings in which I give feedback on what you wrote over the last day or two and agree what you're going to do next.

Example projects

Popular Fiction Masterclass books - self-publication

Recommendations

(5.0)

Recommended

I've had a great opportunity to work with Matthew on recreating my CV. Matthew was asking a lot of good questions to understand my career, companies that I worked for, their business and the challenges related to my roles. That let him boost my CV by highlighting my strength and specific skills. He was a good listener, took a great attention to details and using of proper words. I was delighted with the process and the result. CV looked much more powerful, appealing, professional and correct.

Gosia Niestrawska

Client • Dec 3, 2024

Recommended

I was applying for a job in an international organisation. Matthew did a great job with my CV and covering letter. He presented all my qualifications and competences in a way that best suited the company’s requirements and values. He managed to describe my job experience, hobbies and charity work to good advantage. He made the information look professional and lively. When I was invited for interwiew he helped me to prepare a presentation, researched further ideas that could be included.

Skills and tools

Media Coach

Coach

Mentor

Adobe Acrobat

Google Docs

Microsoft Word

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