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What Could A Developmental Writing Coach Do For Your Book?
Davis-based Brian Kenyon is experienced in both tutoring and professional writing/editing. I've tutored UC Davis pre-med students on the multiple choice Verbal Reasoning Section of the MCAT for the past year. Verbal Reasoning tests one's ability, basically, to reason by pulling together disparate facts and ideas found in a reading passage. These then form the basis for choosing correct answers. The ability to do that is challenging, but can be learned and applied even under the timed and stressful conditions of taking the MCAT on Test Day. Also, I've been a professional editor for several years, working in formats ranging from dissertations to lab reports, business proposals, and press releases among others. I can put these varied experiences to work for you in helping shape your book or other document into pleasantly readable and, ultimately, publishable form.
As "Indie" self-publishing opportunities become more and more easy-to-use and "hands-on," writers are hiring writing coaches to help bring their books to increasingly diverse readers and markets.
What's the difference between an editor and a developmental writing coach? Generally, editors work with the text itself: proofreading, copy editing and organization. A developmental writing coach wears several hats: "Editor," of course, but also "Story Consultant" and "Interpreter."
A Story Consultant reads or, ideally, listens to the rough draft (by means of interviewing or reading a verbatim draft of recordings. Literally, this process is analogous to what newspaper "rewrite men" did back in the 1950s and earlier. Back then the main instantaneous, long-distance communications technology was the telephone. A newspaper reporter out in the field wouldn't waste time driving back to the office and typing up his own story. He'd call a rewrite man back in the office, read his rough interview notes (facts, quotes, a little background) over the phone. Hanging up, the rewrite man smoothed the words and story flow—with a deadline looming precariously.
An Interpreter works more directly with the writer than did the rewrite men with old-time reporters. With a memoir, for example, interviews the writer, getting a feel for parts of the story that may not ultimately go into the public prints, but which will inform and shape the tone of the words, sentences and paragraphs that do.
In fact, this is true both is the writer envisions self-publishing or seeking an agent and going the traditional publishing route.
To give you an idea what a professional developmental editor/coach could do for your book, check out a checklist of some of the essential services available through my writing tutoring program, email me at: [email protected] or check out my website: : http://www.developmentalwritingcoach.blogspot.com
