I work with creative people who have The Book ready to come to life.
I love working with people who seek to “find” the book in the process. Oftentimes the book is never really just the book.
By this I mean: when a book project begins, the writer tasks themselves with a transformation that may result a completely different book than was intended. But this is the book that was meant to be.
And the work done with the project is reflected as the work done inside the writer.
I work with one or two clients at a time and take the writer’s pace and intuitive pathways as guide.
I often bring in my experience with subconscious mind modalities, clinical hypnotherapy, and other woo-like / mystical techniques that take into account the whole ecology of the writer’s history, lifestyle, and wellness.
The Book should not feel like a militaristic boot camp. If the process is not satisfying* in itself, the result will not be satisfying either.
*satisfying does not always mean pleasurable or fun. Hard work can be satisfying. But I believe we all know when hard work is torture rather than a sense of building efficacy and confidence in our abilities.
I am your friend in the cave, up until you're ready to emerge from it.
Language is how we create worlds. It's how we break worlds and change them, too. I firmly believe the process of drafting, revising, and ultimately birthing a book is the process of re-making oneself.
As a book doula, I support writers and speakers with enthusiastic sessions to help them keep the energy up in the writing process.
Developmental Editing*
Do you have an early draft of your book that needs close eyes and feedback?
I offer detailed notes and audit focused on genre, audience, and impact impressions. I specialize in creative non-fiction, personal narrative, expert-written non-fiction, and wellness-informed literature.
Astrological Personal Development
Using the lens of intuitive and archetypal astrology, I support you with affordable sessions to key into your unique astrological supports as a writer.
These sessions may also be supportive of personal issues that may block or boost your writing processes.
Writing Resource Consultation
Reading is writing. At least, the majority of it.
I read widely and often dive deeply into writing manuals and philosophies on approaches to writing. Schedule a session with me to discuss methods or resources that would support your writing process.
*Developmental Editing
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There are several approaches we can take together. I take your lead for what you and your book project needs at this time. I enjoy working in a generative capacity that might best be described as book coach with detailed, possibility-driven comments. I am careful not to deflate “the book that could-have-been” and rather approach this process by offering examples, models, or otherwise inspiring guidance while you write yours drafts.
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Genres of interest: memoir, lyric essay, personal essay, creative non-fiction, biography, non-fiction with a wellness bent, and poetry that is probably fiction that is probably non-fiction.
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Books I love, love, love: “All About Love” by bell hooks, “Post-Colonial Astrology” by Alice Sparkly Kat, “World as Lover, World as Self” by Joanna Macy, “The Book of Delights” by Ross Gay, “Emergent Strategy” by adrienne marie brown, “Well-Kept Ruins” by Hélène Cixous, “Mary Magdalene Revealed” by Meggan Watterson, “Square Haunting” by Francesca Wade
Mission
I see each long-form book project as a pilgrimage— one is never certain of the outcome. Oftentimes the process is difficult or disheartening. But you know *why* you’re on the pilgrimage whether or not you know what will happen.
My mission is to be your helper along the journey. I’ve written and scrapped numerous long book projects. And happily so. They were not *The Book* for me— not at that time. And one of those book projects brought me to the end of my forgiveness journey with an ancestor. I see this book as my greatest pilgrimage however “incomplete” it is.
My mission is to offer you a framework—or, a map—for your journey. You do have to write *The Book* yourself, but you don’t have to be completely alone in the process.
Vision
I have been honored with working with creative people—who consider themselves writers or not*—while they created *The Book*. To be allowed inside the process of writing a long-form book project is my heart’s calling. I am deeply fascinated by each of our *human*ness inside the discovery mission process of writing *The Book*. And I want to deeply listen and offer guidance while you take your pilgrimage with *The Book* that is asking to be written.
*all of us are writers. We do not need a diploma or major publication to claim this title!