Step Two

I act as a Coach. I lead you to your answers; I do not provide them. I carefully read your work and listen to what you say. I help you discover that which you know and that which you want to know.

I listen to you during our free consultation. I ask questions to fully understand what you are looking for in a Coach. If I feel someone else may be better suited to meet your needs, I will re-direct you.

I read your work as a writer and as a reader. A non-writer, or as I like to say, a “normal” person, reads differently than a writer. A writer focuses on craft and its execution, while a reader focuses on meaning and experience.

I listen to your work. Flannery O'Connor said, “I write to discover what I know.” By listening to your work, I discover what it knows—which is sometimes very different from your intent. I listen to its heart.

I provide commentary. It can be substantive, or simple, or both. Simple is limited to spelling, punctuation, grammar usage, errors in text (typos), etc. Substantive includes Simple, and also covers structural and sequence issues, inconsistencies (character, scene, etc.), strengths, weaknesses, etc.

Because I am also a working writer, I do not offer ghost-writing services, nor do I offer rewriting services.

I make no promises of publication, acceptance of work by an agent, or fewer rejections. I help you learn to write well.

“[Juli] has a knack in finding where a story flows and letting the author know why it does; and the opposite—where a story lags and why…. Juli's ability to read in depth, not just for spelling and grammar, is tremendously helpful in my writing. I would highly recommend Juli as coach, teacher, or editor for any serious writer.”
Susan Tone