Why I Do This Work: Thoughts on Writing and Book Coaching
Today’s blog post comes to us from Author Accelerator certified book coach Sharon Skinner.
Sharon Skinner
Certified Book Coach
I just want to start by saying thank you to Jennie Nash and the staff of Author Accelerator for offering me the opportunity to write this guest post for the Author Accelerator blog. While I have been doing the work of writing and supporting writers for many years, Author Accelerator gave me the structure with which to move from haphazardly working with authors via workshopping, guiding, mentoring, and providing editorial feedback on their work, to a comprehensive book coaching system that helps me do all these things, and more, in an efficient and cohesive manner.
Which brings me to the question of Why. Why do I do this work of book coaching?
Life is a series of choices, and with each choice we weigh our options, our pros and cons, the work versus the ROI (Return on Investment). Whether consciously or subconsciously, we tend to operate from a WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) perspective. I think this is why I resonate so directly with one of the questions that we as book coaches ask writers all the time: Why must you do this work?
Knowing why a character behaves in a certain way, reacting to the events and stimuli in a story, is key to reader engagement. Once an author has established a character’s goals and desires, traits and beliefs, the actions of that character must align with those aspects or the story rings hollow. The same is true for us in regards to our actions and choices in real life (or IRL for the younger set). As Simon Sinek says, it’s important to know what we do, but even more important to know why, the reasons behind what we do.
My why for writing is simple: I want to provide readers with the kinds of experiences that books have always offered to me. The chance to find meaning in another’s experience. The opportunity to find themselves in story. In short, I want to create stories and characters that connect with readers, to offer the kinds of stories that resonate, to invite the reader on a journey with a character they can engage with in a meaningful way.
My why for being a book coach is also pretty simple: I want to be a part of the rising tide (to foster the cliché) of lifting boats, and to help other writers improve their craft and skip some of the long and winding (sometimes tortuous) road of learning by sharing what I have learned.
But, to be honest, by doing this work, I am also meeting my core Why, my writing Why, by helping other writers create books that readers will connect with in a meaningful way.
For me, this is joyful, fulfilling work. And I don’t use the word “work” lightly here. To be clear, it is work. Running a successful business requires a lot of organization, time management, and a host of tools and focus. But Book Coaching, for me, is work that resonates. Those like me who come to this work have a passion for books, for the written word, for reading, and for helping others. And don’t we all want to do the things we are passionate about and find joy and fulfillment in our work?
For me, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” It’s why I became a book coach. It’s why I continue to do this work.
Sharon Skinner holds a GPC, a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing, and is an Author Accelerator certified book coach and freelance editor, whose mission is to provide book coaching with honesty and heart, to support writers in writing forward, improving their skills, telling powerful stories, and creating the best books possible. She writes fantasy, science fiction and paranormal for audiences of all ages. Skinner is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ.
Skinner is a proud US Navy veteran, and one of the first women who served aboard a US Navy vessel, the USS Jason (AR-8). In October 1980, Skinner was among the crew of approximately 800 men and 45 women when the Jason and her crew deployed for a six-month WestPac cruise during the Iran hostage crisis.
Her Young Adult and Middle-Grade novels tend to explore complex relationships, particularly those between mothers and daughters. Her picture book, Rocket Shoes! (Sterling Children’s Books), is “a rhyming story for every kid who wants to fly—and wonders when it’s okay to break the rules.”
To find out more and/or for Book Coaching support, go to www.bookcoachingbysharon.com.
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