As a literature major at the University of California, Santa Cruz I would regularly meet with other students to discuss themes in the books we had been assigned to read. We’d get together in small study groups and explore what the author was trying to say along with the implications of the ideas and symbolism. I loved that feeling of someone’s comment sparking an idea, sharing your thought, having someone else build on your insight and then building in turn on that bit of inspiration. The process wasn’t just interactive, it was dynamically creative.
I regularly talk about how much I love the brainstorming that occurs with my clients during our writing coach sessions. Until yesterday, however, I hadn’t realized that I’ve actually managed to turn my favorite part of college into a profession.
This particular epiphany of the obvious occurred during my first session with a new writing coach client who is working on her master’s degree. “I am struggling a LOT in writing my essays,” she wrote in her initial email. “The writing process is incredibly stressful for me and I’m looking for someone who can help coach me through the process and find solutions to the things that seem to keep blocking me.”
The hitch? Her last paper for the term was due in three days.
Naturally, I started her out with a sloppy letter to Linden, my favorite technique for helping writers get out of their own way. That letter served as the launch pad for the brainstorming that followed the next day. By the end of an hour-long session, we had developed a solid working outline for her paper–her biggest source of stress.
“This is amazing,” she announced.
“Welcome to working with a writing coach,” I responded.
Great post. Absolutely true.
After all our brainstorming sessions, you should know! Thanks, Wendy.