The most basic work of a writing coach is helping their client find their novel’s shape. Although narrative, or plot, has taken many different shapes, one in particular recurs again and again. This is the triangle, the pyramid, the arc: the three-act structure.

My first piece of advice: You, the writer, decide who is telling the story, and how much information they, as the storyteller, are supposed to know and expose.

At some point during our first consultation call, every prospective coaching client asks me the same question. It goes something like: “What is it like to work with a personal writing coach?” or “Can you explain more about your methods?” or “How does a writing coach help you write?” Understandably, most writers, or aspiring writers, who contact me want to know exactly what a coach can do for them.