Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
How do you feel about writing? If you love it, great, so do I! But I meet lots of people who say, ‘I ought to write a blog, but…’ or, ‘I have an idea for an article, but…’
Often what follows the ‘but’ is that there is not enough time. However, I am not sure this is always the case. Behind the belief that we are too short of time to write there sometimes lurks self -doubt, lack of confidence, imposter syndrome or a bad experience at school. Those things can be uncomfortable so if we unconsciously avoid them the conclusion we often draw is that there is not enough time. We would settle down and write if we had time. We would plan the book if we had time.
I am not just guessing. I know from my own experience the trick of blaming lack of time when the real reasons are deeper and darker. Despite all my training and practice I can easily fall into the clutches of my own imposter syndrome that tells me thousands of people write better than I do, and asks who I think I am to believe I can put this or that piece of writing out into the world. But it’s all too easy to fall into blaming lack of time. I do it, well, all the time. Luckily, however, I still write a lot so I am always practising.
I have learned to take notice when I am asked to do something and recently I have been asked more and more to help others with their writing. It started with parents asking me to help their teenage children and so my tutoring work has increased. I am so happy about that because I love tutoring. And then I was asked by a business associate to spend some time coaching her to help her get over the fear of writing a blog. What an enjoyable day that was, for both of us. She is now up and blogging with ongoing support from me.
The next thing I was asked was whether I would put together a workshop. Of course I agreed and started mentioning this in various groups. There has been rather a lot of interest, so plans are moving forward and taking shape. Pen to Paper coaching and workshops are becoming a thing.
How can coaching or a workshop help reluctant writers?
We need a multi-faceted approach. Where there is lack of confidence, reassurance and encouragement are important but so are practical strategies and knowledge. Learning a few simple guidelines and having resources to turn to will then help to increase confidence.
If you work with me you will learn:
- Why we are out of touch with the written word and what you can do about it (hint: this involves practice).
- Why we find writing more difficult in 2020 and what you can do about it (guess what the hint is?).
- How to structure and organise your ideas.
- How to write for a blog (and how not to write for a blog).
- How to find your own authentic voice and write that way.
- That you don’t need to have perfect grammar, excellent spelling or a degree in English to write your blog (I do have a degree in English and a lot of what I share with you comes from my many years of education and writing experience, distilled into the most important points).
- That you can start right now and nothing terrible will happen.
- That you already have everything you need.
After a workshop, or between sessions, I am there to check written work before you post it, if you wish, give advice on language and structuring topics, and keep encouraging you.
What is not covered: I am not an SEO or WordPress expert. Those people are ready to help you as soon as you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. I can make recommendations if you like. Once you are happily writing, you will be ready for their expertise.
If you are interested in coaching or a workshop, please contact me. Or please let me know if you are looking for a particular type of help that I have not listed here. I look forward to hearing from you!
