I came to Lauren faltering, even with the finish line in sight. Her keen eye, light touch, and deeply compassionate nature allowed me just the right support to move through the stuck place and finish my draft. Lauren was undaunted by the challenging material in my story. She helped me see what I did well, and hand-selected lessons so I could improve the weaker parts of my text. My manuscript and I are both better now, thanks to Lauren’s skillful coaching.
-Jessica Waite
[Jessica’s memoir, The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards, was acquired in 7 days by Atria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster! Congrats, Jessica!]
I feel like I have learned more from Lauren’s one-on-one mentorship than I learned in a two-year creative writing program.
This has been an amazing process and I have grown as a writer in ways I didn’t know I could. I would highly recommend this program to any writer working through novel revisions, regardless of what stage you are at in your writing career.
-Dr, Sandra Jeppeson, Three-Month Mentorship client
You wrote a book! Congratulations! That’s huge!
Completing a draft proves your tenacity and dedication, but after you guzzle some champagne it’s time to re-affirm your commitment for the next draft.
Through investigative, thorough, and thoughtful revision you can add depth, connectivity, cohesion, and resonance to your story, bringing you fame and fortune (okay, maybe not, but hopefully some happy, hooked readers!).
I can help you submerge in the revision process. With me as a teacher, advisor, cheerleader, and coach, you will deepen your understanding of your book, learn what’s working and what isn’t (and why!), and broaden your relationship both to your writing and yourself as a writer in ways you never have before.
My insights on narrative arc, character, point-of-view, the creative process, and more are hard-won: I hold an MFA in Creative Writing and have published five books with the help of my top-tier Toronto agent. My new book, the short story collection Places Like These, was a recommended read in the Globe & Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, last spring (for more about me, scroll down).
I work hard and I work deep and I love helping other writers do the same. Revision is my favourite part of the writing process because it gives me the opportunity to study what I made while, as Jane Smiley so wisely says in 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel, “not knowing what I was doing.” I enhance the significant strands, extract those that aren’t working, deepen voice and theme, enhance character, and build an unshakeable, expertly woven arc.
I offer four mentorship tiers at varying levels of intensity and cost. Let me help you grow as a writer as you evolve your book into something truly beautiful and true-to-you.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Part coaching, part manuscript evaluation, part class on writing craft, this program will guide you into a deeper relationship with revision. You’ll broaden your knowledge how story and plot work, strengthen your practice, and make clear progress toward finishing your book!
What you get:
* An evaluation of your synopsis or plot outline
* Substantive editorial feedback on 20-42,000 words of your manuscript
* ZOOM calls to discuss notes, plot uncertainties, writing practice/career, or whatever is pressing (note: there is an email-only option)
* Unlimited email access to pick my brain about writing and revision!
I have learned more about writing and about myself as a writer in these three months than I have in years of taking online courses. Lauren’s insight and suggestions are thoughtful and helpful, and having her give direct feedback on my actual words has given me a far deeper understanding of the craft of writing and where my own shortcomings were hiding.
I’m coming away from this with a renewed faith in myself and my work, and a bolstered enthusiasm for writing in general!
-Laura-Lee Pernsky
Interested but need funding? Check out your provincial arts councils, the Access Copyright Professional Development Grant, and the Canada Council for the Arts to see if you might be eligible for grant funding.
Who Am I?
what makes me such an expert?
MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph.
Certificate in Teaching and Training Adult Learners from Georgian College.
Extensive experience teaching writers and holding positions as Writer-in-Residence and teaching in-person/online.
A member of Editors Canada, and currently completing the SFU Editors Certificate program.
In-depth coursework in creativity coaching through the Creativity Coaching Association, including Beginning and Advanced Creativity Coaching 16-week courses with Eric Maisel and the 8-week course Building the Coaching Relationship with Creative Clients.
Published in countless anthologies (including Best Canadian Fiction, selected by John Metcalf), newspapers, and magazines (National Geographic Traveler and the Globe and Mail among others), as well as most major Canadian literary journals: Prairie Fire, the Fiddlehead, Grain, The New Quarterly, and others.
Two novels, a collection of short stories, and two poetry collections traditionally published — and stay tuned for an announcement about my third novel.
Represented by Samantha Haywood, Transatlantic Agency
Nominated for the Giller Prize, the Journey Prize, and longlisted multiple times for the CBC Literary Awards in both poetry and fiction.
Winner of the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction (for my second novel); longlisted for CBC Canada Reads for my first. Past recipient of multiple arts grants, including the Manitoba Arts Council’s Major Arts Award, a $30,000 grant for artists “whose works shows exceptional quality and accomplishment.”
Check out the reviews and buzz about my latest book Places Like These.
Lauren is a wonderful coach! She was always thoughtful, supportive, insightful, and ready with just the right readings and resources.
Lauren’s critique sessions have helped me to feel more confident and to progress as a writer. Her keen eye for detail and helpful insights have enabled me to bring more nuance and expression to my poetry. I have appreciated having both written notes and a ZOOM call for discussion. Lauren has a supportive, encouraging approach, and it is a joy to work with her.
Questions?
Not sure if this is right for you?
Go ahead and ask!
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