It’s severely shocking that my last post was in August – it’s not exactly the kind of helpful, forward-thinking blog I initially planned and tried to implement. Whereas posts used to be weekly on average, nowadays I’m barely posting a couple of times a year.
Well, from 2012, this will change – my New Year’s resolutions are starting early! Having set up and launched a sister company to The Writing Hall, I’m now in control enough to manage both (and all my other endeavours) – instead of the either/or situation I’ve had until now.
So, what to expect? Firstly, as an author, I want to continue to pepper into these future posts tips, thoughts and general links or information on the subject of writing, which, after all, is the very reason I started TWH. So many people have a book inside us (if you believe the old saying, it’s actually all of us) and many need help transferring the rampant thoughts inside their head onto the clean, virginal paper in front of them.
That’s where I come in.
A writing coach is a sounding board, pool of resource, motivator, inspirer and calming influence. You’d have a coach in sport, in your business – sometimes, just to get through life. The theory is the same when writing; if you’re unsure, not used to it or would just prefer to have someone else’s trusted opinion throughout the writing process, then a coach is the professional to turn to.
Having been traditionally published, having also pitched to 40+ publishing houses and as someone who’s been through the self-publishing process too, I know a lot about writing books from a business perspective – what your market is looking for, what your agent is looking for, and what the editors are looking for. Though it takes the romance from the idea, book writing for others is a business endeavour. If you want to write for your friends and family only, then you can also write the rules, but if you want the general public to buy what you’ve written, you have to deliver what they want – or, what they don’t yet know they want. Cryptic, yes; incorrect, no.
The world of authorship is more competitive today than it’s ever been. Approximately, less than one percent of aspiring, newbie authors land a publishing deal, so if you harbour grand dreams of being the next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, I’m here to bring you crashing down to reality. I know of well-known names being refused deals on new books, despite their previous titles appearing in bestseller lists.
I don’t intend this as a negative speech, but neither am I going to blow smoke up someone’s backside! There’s a lot of groundwork and preparation needed to write a book, beginning with the removal of any rose-tinted glasses, but, even when everyone knows what to expect on the journey ahead, it’s still one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do.
The Writing Hall’s website is also being overhauled slightly after Christmas; not the design as this is relatively new, but the focus of the services offered will revert back to me, as opposed to the current one-stop-shop mentality. I’d rather shift things back to doing a few things really well than trying to help everyone with everything. So, stick around, and join the rest of the 390+ aspiring authors’ community on Facebook. If books and writing are your first loves, you’ll be amongst like-minded people.
That’s all from me for now; if you’d like more information on my writing coaching services, call free on 0800 4101 041 or email me at diane@thewritinghall.co.uk. Speak soon.
