2.7 do we all do foolish things in the spring?
anyone else taking on way too much right now? and does anyone need a memoir coach?
It’s springtime in New England, finally. The daffodils are up, the lilacs are budding, and in honor of all the excitement of temperatures above freezing I’ve done something crazy. I’ve enrolled in a memoir coaching course, and I need a few willing victims to let me practice on them this year.
Why did I do this? Yeah, I’m asking myself that, too!
My plate right now is pretty full, and adding one more set of deadlines was absolutely not a smart move. Here’s what I’ve got going at the moment:
first draft of my next historical novel (Susanne Dunlap is the great book coach to whom I have to turn in material once a month)
various niggly things relating to my books (website tinkering, monthly reader newsletter, keeping up with marketing tasks such as advertising)
Summer Brennan’s excellent workshop on developing a daily essay-writing practice (yes, this means I have to write something essay-ish every day)
Japlish (I would love to write something new weekly, but…!!! I’m trying!)
Japanese study with the amazing Bunsuke, plus reading and kanji practice
and a heap of personal/family events and travel (two college graduations eleven days apart in two different cities, with corresponding activities and dorm move-outs, followed by a big trip somewhere in June, followed by assisting both the new graduates with their next adventures starting in September)
followed by my own personal adventure: first Japan trip since 1990! I don’t know when this will happen, and looking at this list, I’m just hoping it DOES happen!
I used to be a developmental editor for fiction, but didn’t enjoy it. The method I used was tedious, and the books I worked on were not my usual reading fare.
But I’m excited about working with memoir writers, because I’m writing a memoir this year, too. That’s what Japlish is preparation for, and what my upcoming trip to Japan is for. And this time I’ve enrolled in a training course with someone I’ve taken classes from in the past, so I’m very familiar with her methods and feel good about them.
The only wrinkle here is that I need victims! Victims who are planning to write a memoir, have already drafted a proposal for a memoir, or who are preparing to pitch their memoir proposal to agents! I need to submit a recording of my coaching calls and the various editorial letters to a certification committee, who will make sure that I’m doing a great job with clients before giving me its blessing to go forth and help people to tell their stories.
I’m particularly looking for people with cross-cultural or transnational stories, immigrant stories, language-related stories, a la Crying in H-Mart. If that’s you and you have a memoir in you, please reach out! I’m offering the following:
coaching a memoir plan, for those who have not started writing yet
a full proposal analysis, for those with a completed memoir proposal
preparing a pitching strategy, for those who need help figuring out how and whom to pitch
There would be no charge for this, since we’d both be learning! Each of these services involves sending me stuff to evaluate, followed by a one hour zoom conversation, so it’s a one-off type of thing. It won’t suck up a ton of your time and energy (well, except that writing a memoir is going to suck up a ton of your time and energy, but the coaching itself will not be painful).
Why on earth did I think this was a great year to embark on this? I guess it’s because I’m excited to work on this neglected part of my writing repertoire; I’m thrilled to be connecting with people who are addressing the same “itch” that I am; and I have really loved all the work I’ve done with the people at Author Accelerator. I’ve taken courses from its CEO, Jennie Nash, for over eight years now. She’s just the best teacher and guide for the publishing journey.
This memoir course is new; it was just released in March. I’m deep into the material now and I guarantee its quality. As I mentioned above, I’ve been trained as a developmental editor, and this is loads more supportive and helpful for the writer. This isn’t about criticizing your use of adjectives; it’s about making sure you’re delivering your truth to the audience who wants it.
If you’re interested, just send me a message! I’ll put the button right here:
Now to get back to that ridiculous list of projects…or maybe I’ll procrastinate by going out to take pictures of the daffodils.
The photograph of your home looks absolutely beautiful! What a beautiful place to write!!