Let me begin by apologizing for the delay. I’ve been meaning to write this post for days, but life happens. After struggling with illness for a few days, my car died Friday. It’s very hard to live in a rural area without two cars, so we pretty much need one right now. That cut into my writing schedule Friday and Saturday, as we spent hours on-line and at the dealerships looking for a new ride.

That’s why it’s late Sunday morning and I’m just getting to this post. Some months I’m on top of things and have everything written weeks in advance, but this hasn’t been one of those months. Thanks for your understanding.

And now on to yesterday’s topic – coaching.

If you visit my current Web site, it says I’m a freelance writer and editor. Though I’ve mostly written, I’m edited a few things. Editing, however, is not my favorite activity. And I have a very hard time editing with commenting on content or style – it always turns in to a critique. I find it incredibly difficult to see a whole in a plot and not point it out or ask questions.

Recently some friends and I were reading each other’s manuscript entries for a contest. One of the gals gave me one of the best compliments ever – she told me my critique was possibly the most helpful critique she’d ever received. She not only mentioned that she might like some more help later, but she also suggested I consider making my services available to others.

I loved the idea! But how do I make it available?

I know two other writers who are writing coaches (http://labelleseditorialservices.com/ and http://writingcareercoach.com/). They’ve been in the business longer, so they have a lot more experience than I do. That’s makes me hesitate. Would anyone want to hire someone like me?

I can’t possibly know what other people are thinking, but I know myself, and here’s what I know.

– I read, a LOT. I know what’s good, and I know what’s bad.

– I’ve studied a LOT about writing. I know a lot of the tips, tricks, and popular styles that authors use (and the same ones that editors and agents want).

– I’ve always known I would be a better coach than a player. I played basketball and volleyball for years. I wasn’t very good. The coach would explain things to me, but being a visual learner I didn’t always “get it”. I could, however see the strengths and weaknesses of my teammates, and I knew how to help them recognize those things as well (and then they could work on them).

– I love teaching. I never wanted to be a teacher, but I’ve loved my years of substitute teachings. It’s something I enjoy doing, and I’m pretty good at it.

So…maybe it’s time to consider a career in coaching? But where do I start? I’m not really sure. There are a few things I need to figure out, but I think I’m on the right path with this. I’ve just got to figure out where I should take my next step.

QUESTION: What kind of help would you want/expect from a writing coach?