How One Conversation Can Unlock Your Story
The magic of a story coaching session often happens when I ask an author a simple question like:
“What if X happened?”
The author takes a moment to consider the story implications of the question, then a delighted smile crosses their face. They’ve just had a breakthrough that has opened powerful story possibilities. Moments like these are why I love coaching conversations with writers.
I constantly look for ways to expand the author’s thinking about what’s happening in their story. We might examine the dynamics of a scene that feels flat with questions like:
- What is the real purpose of this scene?
- How does it connect to the scenes around it?
- What does it reveal about the protagonist’s growth?
Sometimes the protagonist isn’t tied closely enough to the events of the plot. We’ll assess if they are making active choices, and if those choices create consequences they have to navigate. When that connection strengthens, the author becomes more confident in the story’s direction.
I love the collaborative energy that develops during coaching sessions. The author brings the world they’ve created: the characters, the situations, and the driving motivations. From there, we explore new possibilities to build on what already exists. I often get as much mental stimulation out of these conversations as the writers I work with!
Writers come to story coaching sessions at many different stages of their work. Some are just starting with an idea and want to think through the big creative decisions that shape a story. We might explore what drives the protagonist, what major plot points could anchor the story, and how the characters might change by the end.
Others come when they feel stuck. Maybe several scenes aren’t working, or the author is unsure about the order of chapters in a multi-POV storyline. Or they are revising after receiving feedback from early readers and deciding which suggestions to incorporate.
And sometimes what a writer really needs is to talk with someone who understands story structure and can ask the questions that lead to those aha moments. Just explaining your story to someone else can spark new insights!
Momentum Story Coaching is tailored to the specific challenges you’re facing in your manuscript. Writers often book a Momentum Story Coaching session when they’re facing challenges like these:
- Scene & Story Structure — figuring out the right order of events, strengthening cause and effect, and making sure each scene moves the story forward
- Plot Development — identifying missing story beats and removing elements that don’t serve the narrative
- Character & Motivation — clarifying what your protagonist wants and what stands in their way
- Genre Expectations — shaping your story so it satisfies the readers you’re writing for
- Revision Strategy — deciding what feedback to incorporate and how to strengthen tension and emotional impact
- Accountability & Support — staying motivated and making steady progress on your manuscript
By the end of a session, writers often leave with clearer story direction, solutions to specific problems, and renewed excitement about the book they’re writing.
Sometimes all it takes is one good conversation to unlock the next stage of your story.
If you’d like help thinking through your manuscript, I’d love to work with you.