If you haven’t heard, the myth of the solitary writer has been busted. All writers need some kind of support, and in this digital era, that support is more readily available than ever before. So available, in fact, that it can feel overwhelming. There are free resources of information and many services of various price points that can step in different points in the process to help you get your book finished and polished. When we have so many avenues and options, choosing the right support for writing your memoir can become its own difficult decision.
In this week’s video, Amanda reviews three questions you need to ask yourself to make strategic choices for finding support through the writing process. Watch below or scroll to read!
Speaking of support, if a group program seems like the right choice for your book, enrollment for our Memoir Method Program is open now through Tuesday, December 19! Only two more days to join for our January 7th cohort.
Who, When, and How Much
It’s great that you are actively seeking out support for your project, because that is a major sign of commitment to you book. One of the first steps we encourage authors to take is embracing support and knowing that it’s not a sign that you’re not ready to write your story, but that you really are ready to put in the work to learn what you need to know. Always remember that getting support–for whatever goal you’ve put yourself–is never a sign of not being good enough to acheive it.
If you’ve been doing a bit of research about your options for support, you’ve probably realized by now that there a lot of options. There’s a wealth of free information, for one, but also courses, services, groups, forums…it can be overwhelming. One thing you definitely don’t want to happen is through looking for support for your book you actually delay and impede your progress because you’re trying to absorb a massive amount of information, garner support from friends, or invest in professional instruction or support. There are three essential questions you should ask yourself to help you with choosing the right support for writing your memoir.
Why do you need support?
Support for writing your memoir can come in many different forms because that support can fill many different needs. When you’re embarking on the project and choosing your support, it helps to identify what your biggest needs are. Likely, you’ll need more than one of these kinds of support along the way, but thinking of these categories and being honest about what you need most can help guide your decisions.
1. Skills and training
When you set out to write a book-length work, you quickly realize that there’s more to it than just stringing words together. You might realize that you need help with incorporating research, outlining or structuring your story, making the different [pieces come together under a theme, writing dialogue, pacing your chapters. These are all specific skills that you will need gain in writing your book, and identifying them is part of the the first step.
2. Accountability
It takes a long time to write a book, and more often than not there’s little to no external pressure on you do get it done in a timely way or even ever write it at all. For some, myself very much included, we need to manufacture some of that external pressure with someone who will check in on our progress regularly, providing deadlines and reminding us why we want to write the thing in the first place. This can actually be just as necessary and valuable as acquiring the skills you need.
3. Encouragement
Writing your first book is an act of enormous bravery. It’s not unusual for writers to struggle with doubts that stall the progress–whether the doubt keeps them from starting or keeps the stuck in a perfectionist cycle of revision. Having a source of encouragement to remind you that you are worthy of writing your book and to keep you in a positive mindset can help you keep moving forward. Bravery is easier to maintain when you feel the love and encouragement of people on your side.
4. Feedback
Feedback can be a form of encouragement as well, even if it comes with constructive criticism along with the support and cheerleading. Feedback is enormously valuable to a writer, though we want to be deliberate and reflective about when and how we get feedback. For many, getting insights on your work as you progress can improve your writing and keep you on the right track. However, for others, getting feedback too often can feed the self-doubt monster. Sometimes it simply makes for too many cooks in the kitchen. When considering your writing schedule, it’s important to strategically consider the points along the way you will want to get feedback and factor in that time into your goals and timeline.
How Frequently Do You Need Support for your Writing?
That naturally brings us to our second imporant question–how frequently do you need support?
This can vary greatly and may change throughout your project. If you frequently find yourself on YouTube or listening to podcasts for long periods, you might need regular, ongoing support. This could mean looking for skills, accountability, or encouragement. Alternatively, you might need help with just one specific thing, like figuring out an outline. Even if it starts with one need, other challenges may arise along the way, requiring more frequent support.
However, frequently going back to youtube or reading yet another how-to book can also be a procrastination tactic. In this case, you might want to ask yourself if what you really need at this point is not skills, but encouragement, accountability, or regular feedback. If you’re spinning your wheels investing time in the wrong kind of support, it might stall your progress. Assess honestly whether you need regular support or just occasional help. This will determine whether you need to invest in paid help or can find what you need through free resources.
What is your budget?
Determining your budget is a crucial step when seeking support for your writing. There’s a wide range of options available, from free resources to paid services, and knowing your budget helps in making informed choices. If you’re not able or willing to spend anything, plenty of free resources online can provide valuable support through platforms like YouTube and podcasts. You may also want to consider recruiting friends and family to be your support as well, depending on how you answered those first two questions.
For those with a limited budget, it’s important to define the amount you can spend and consider investing in support now, rather than waiting until the end of your project. As we talked about a couple weeks ago, waiting for the final stage to invest may not be the best choice. For one thing, no editor can edit an unwritten book. Often, timely support can help you progress more effectively. On the other hand, if you have a flexible budget and are willing to invest, ensure that the support you choose is valuable and meets your specific needs.
Types of Support For Your Memoir (And their expected cost)
Free and Almost Free
The most budget-friendly support always comes from someone you know. An interested friend, especially if they’re in a related field like writing or coaching, can provide valuable help. Whether they’re a coach, therapist, pastor, or someone who writes as a hobby or profession, their strengths will determine the value of their support. Friends can offer accountability and encouragement, like texting after writing sessions or celebrating small wins together.
Another free resource is the Internet, with many YouTube videos and podcasts available for training. While these resources are great for learning new skills, they won’t provide accountability, encouragement, or feedback. There are many blogs like this one with valuable information and insight. However, be cautious not to use training as a procrastination technique. You’ll never learn everything there is to know about writing a book–no one ever does.
Define what you need to learn and seek out specific answers online, ensuring you don’t stall your progress by continually seeking reassurance. Free resources can be incredibly helpful when used effectively. There are also very inexpensive sources of information, from published books on the writing process to short courses that give an overview. Again, these are great ways to meet that first skills and training need, but you may want to consider other options if what you really are those other three forms of support.
Moderate Investment
Group programs have become popular over the last 10-15 years and offer a budget-friendly option for those seeking support. Unlike one-on-one coaching, group programs can give you space to work on your own pace, while still providing both the skills and training help you need and some other forms of personalized support. For instance, the Memoir Method group program provides structured training, guidance, and direct access to experts. It starts with in-depth units on developing ideas, planning, outlining, drafting, revising, publishing, and marketing. Participants can seek help through weekly group calls and receive personalized encouragement via weekly emails and quarterly events.
While group programs tend to be more expensive than short courses due to the additional benefits, they often prove to be a worthwhile investment. Without expert guidance, it’s easy to spend money on multiple short courses and editors. You can quickly nickle-and-dime your way through books, short courses, and specialized software and still not receive the individualized support you need. Group programs offer a comprehensive approach, combining training and expert support, ensuring you get the most out of your investment without unnecessary expenses.
Specialized and One-on-One Support
One-on-one book coaching provides personalized support, differentiating from editors depending on the program. Book coaches may offer various levels of interaction, from occasional check-ins via Voxer or email to weekly Zoom sessions. Our one-on-one programs is called Editor in Your Pocket include feedback on weekly submissions, helping writers improve their work progressively. This type of support can cover all aspects of writing, offering encouragement and accountability.
The cost of support varies widely. Free options include friends and online resources. Short courses typically cost anywhere from twenty to several hundred dollars. Group programs vary widely as well, based on duration and exclusivity. Our small, nine-month program is around $3,000, and is focused on helping you from A-Z through your memoir project. One-on-one book coaching is the most expensive, often around $7,500 for extensive support. However, as we discussed a few weeks ago, this level of investment in a coach may make a later investment for an editor unnecessary, as you’re consistently getting professional eyes on your work as you go.
It’s important to determine what kind of support you need, how often, and your budget to make informed decisions.
Happy writing!
