In today’s episode, I talk about a part of writing that academic training rarely asks us to examine: how writers actually move through their work. We’re taught to evaluate arguments, evidence, and outcomes—but much less attention is given to what happens between drafts, or how writers interpret difficulty as it arises.
I share how coaching shifts attention from the finished product to the writer in motion, changing the way progress unfolds—not by lowering standards, but by making it easier to respond to the real sources of friction. I also explore how this way of paying attention differs from mentoring and why difficulty in writing is so often misread.
Rather than treating struggle as a problem to eliminate, this episode considers what becomes possible when difficulty is understood as information and something that can guide more precise, less exhausting choices.
If you’ve ever found yourself working hard but feeling stuck, this conversation offers a different way of seeing what’s happening and how steadier progress can happen when you start paying attention to the right things.
New Offering! Spring Semester Strategy Sessions
If this episode resonated because you’re realizing that what’s getting in the way isn’t effort or commitment but the lack of space to step back and look carefully at how your work is actually unfolding, I’m opening a small number of 90-minute strategy sessions this spring!
These sessions help you gain clarity about what matters most right now, how to use the time and energy you actually have, and how to move forward this semester without burning out.
Here’s how it works:
Before we meet: Complete reflection questions (about 90 minutes) on your goals, constraints, and what’s worked in the past.
90-minute session: We clarify priorities and develop a strategy that fits how you actually work—not an idealized version of you.
After the session: You receive a written plan synthesizing our conversation, plus tailored resources and recommendations.
You’ll walk away with: a clear plan for the semester, a better sense of how to allocate your time and energy, and concrete next steps that feel doable rather than overwhelming.
I’m offering eight of these sessions in late January and February. Booking closes January 26 or when spots fill.
If you decide after the session that you’d like continued support, that $495 can be credited toward either my 10-week coaching program or my 6-month book coaching program—the strategy session is the first step in both programs.
You’ll have three weeks after your session to decide if you want continued coaching support. So if you’ve considered coaching before, this is a low-risk way to experience working with me and see if it’s a good fit.
Of course, you might discover that the strategy session alone, with the clear priorities, realistic plan, and concrete next steps, is exactly what you need to move your writing forward this semester. That’s a huge win!
