Vanessa Shockley
Author of Erotic Horror, Paranormal Perversions,
and Psychological Thrillers
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Writing Coach Philosophy
Vanessa Shockley • April 10, 2024
My thoughts on being a writing coach and teacher.
My philosophy on coaching and mentoring is that everyone has a story to tell, and my role is to guide them through the process so they will write a story worth reading.
The approach to coaching and mentoring that I will employ is honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. My role is to support someone with a story they feel compelled to tell.
My passion for coaching, teaching, and mentoring others is one of my driving motives. I prefer the Socratic method of coaching, which works well with this role because the questions will prompt the writer to review the intent behind their choices. In addition, the questions aid the writer in considering alternative perspectives and ways to implement what they hope to achieve. The end goal is to guide the writer through the drafting process so that they finish a story.
Virtual meetings provide a long-distance opportunity for a personal connection. In addition, my approach when working with others is establishing boundaries and building a healthy foundation to work efficiently together.
"Write a story worthy of reading."
- Vanessa Shockley
My understanding of industry-specific techniques for substantive and line editing services may differ from the norm. For instance, substantive editing often includes a letter to the writer that ranges from 10 to 25 pages. My philosophy is to take a more personal, direct route and have in-person or live virtual meetings with my clients to converse about my observations. Real-time soundboarding ensures that the writer understands the lesson and allows them to ask questions for clarification.
Substantive editing is my favorite role because I incorporate coaching and teaching techniques. Substantive editing is at the scene and page level. The role also fine-tunes elements, such as character arcs, goals, motivations, conflicts, use of secondary characters, and plot holes. I look at the scenes and wonder what the character believes will happen in the scene. In addition, what is the cause and effect of what happens? Understanding and communicating this concept to others can help with pacing, rationality, and believability.
Furthermore, I realize that more writers tend to head-hop. Head-hopping is one of the most distracting errors made in writing. This habit can be alleviated quickly with a short and straightforward session about point-of-view.
Substantive editing is my favorite role because I incorporate coaching and teaching techniques. Substantive editing is at the scene and page level. The role also fine-tunes elements, such as character arcs, goals, motivations, conflicts, use of secondary characters, and plot holes. I look at the scenes and wonder what the character believes will happen in the scene. In addition, what is the cause and effect of what happens? Understanding and communicating this concept to others can help with pacing, rationality, and believability.
Furthermore, I realize that more writers tend to head-hop. Head-hopping is one of the most distracting errors made in writing. This habit can be alleviated quickly with a short and straightforward session about point-of-view.
"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down."
- Ray Bradbury
As an editor, I fill some roles: writing coach, critic, champion, and wordsmith. Developmental and content editors are considered high-level editors. Our textbook states that developmental editors primarily work with non-fiction projects as they’re being written (234). Content editors focus on the book’s structure, style, and overall development, often called a book doctor. Combining content editing and writing coach services helps aspiring writers wrap their heads around the third rail of their scenes so that the story has a natural, logical progression. My strengths lie in surface-level editing. This includes line editors, copy editors, and proofreading.
And that’s My Two Cents…
And that’s My Two Cents…
Initially, I thought this book was going to be a basic police procedural book with a story involving two males who become intimate with each other. Wrong. Cut and Run is brilliant, enticing its readers to continue the journey to solve the mystery of the cryptic death. Cut and Run is about two FBI Special Agents that are thrown together in an unwanted and explosive partnership. Neither Zane nor Ty could stand each other. Talk about being rubbed the wrong way. The enemies to lovers trope is delightful and titillating.
Guilty Pleasures. Anita Blake. She is an animator who raises the dead for a living and occasionally consults the new task force that covers all possible paranormal homicides. Surrounded by monsters, dodging the manipulative powers that attempts to lure her into their world, Anita remains steadfast in her fierce nature and sexy stature. Anita is an arrogant and rude character. Apparently, she never developed the filter between her brain and her mouth. Hilarious! She is brave and bold. Adventurous and loyal to her friends. Although, in the beginning, her morals were black and white. As the book progressed, monsters became unclear.