Dorothy Wall's Writing Consulting Services
I always tell my clients that a good writing consultant is someone who can enter your creative world, help you move the furniture around, then slip away, leaving that world more vibrant and compelling, but very much your own. Immersing in the creative process with another writer is always invigorating, requiring simultaneously a detached objectivity and a sympathetic engagement with a writer's vision. Just as a writer harnesses these two sides of the self—objective and engaged—in the act of writing, so does a writing consultant as she sits down with another writer's work.
Writing consultants, or writing coaches as we're sometimes called, come from a variety of backgrounds, most often publishing, writing or teaching, or some combination of these. The one-on-one work I do with writers has been a natural extension of my work as both writer and writing teacher. Many writers I work with are intent on publication, and we focus on this goal. Others want to explore their craft and develop their voice and writing potential. I want my clients, after working with me, to come away with a richer understanding of the complex art of writing, and new insight about what questions to ask as they approach their work. I want them to feel I've understood the core impulses of their project and helped them develop it to its fullest potential. Most of all, I want them to feel excited about their writing and encouraged to continue.
Frequently asked questions:
What types of manuscripts do you work on?
I work on literary and mainstream fiction, memoir, poetry, narrative nonfiction, and other trade nonfiction, including titles in psychology, communication, relationships, adoption, health and reproductive issues, gardening, travel and biography. I don't work on dissertations or scholarly work, business or technical writing, or genre fiction, such as fantasy, science fiction or romance.
If I were to send my novel to you, what would you do?
A novel critique is in some ways a complex process and in some ways very straightforward, since we're always dealing with both the art and the craft of writing. I will be reading your work to get a sense of your voice and the story you're telling, and to grasp what is working well and what isn't.
The first step of our work together is a developmental edit, that is, a review of the manuscript with the larger dramatic issues in mind. I begin by reading through your manuscript carefully, marking comments as I go. I read with an eye to all the elements of fiction: dramatic structure, scene construction, momentum and tension, pacing, plot development, character development, use of subplots, handling of time, beginnings and endings, voice, use of language, and so forth. I note on the page places where these various elements are working well and where they are not. I look at large issues, ie., places where tension lags, and small, ie., overuse of flat, generic verbs. For these smaller details, I mark examples only, as this is not the time to do a line edit of the whole novel.
After I've finished reading and marking comments on the manuscript, I write a two- or three-page single-spaced critique letter, in which I address the manuscript's strengths and weaknesses and give suggestions for revision. Then we have a phone consultation, usually one to one-and-a-half hours, in which we discuss my responses and suggestions. This exchange is always a creative and stimulating part of the process. You have a chance to ask questions; we brainstorm and explore the possibilities and directions for further work. Then I send back to you the marked manuscript and critique letter. You'll come away with a thorough understanding of the issues that need to be addressed in revision and a specific blueprint for how to dive back in. If we continue working together, we usually focus on a smaller piece of the manuscript at one time. I'm also available for phone conversations and feedback as you continue to work. You should think of me at this point as someone who has immersed in your manuscript, knows it and your characters, and is available as an ongoing sounding board as you proceed.
Can I send only part of my novel for your review?
Yes, some writers begin by sending me only the first fifty pages or so of their manuscript. Though I can't comment on the larger structural issues or on your story's development when I read only the beginning, those first fifty pages always reveal a great deal about the way you're approaching your story and the way you write. Any significant problems usually appear early on. We can have a fruitful discussion based on an initial section of your work.
How long do you work with clients?
This is entirely up to you. Some clients want an initial critique only, then go on to finish their work themselves. Others want ongoing feedback as they develop and complete their project. I may work with someone once, for six months or six years. Some clients come back for input on successive projects, so I follow their career and work over time. These long-term relationships can be very satisfying.
How do you work with nonfiction writers?
Nonfiction is almost always sold on the basis of a book proposal. My job is to help nonfiction writers complete a superb, polished proposal that will sell. I recommend that you begin by getting a copy of Susan Page's wonderfully informative book on writing a book proposal, The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book. Her book outlines what should be included in your proposal and how to tackle this task. After you put together a draft of your proposal, you send it to me for review. As with fiction, I read through your draft, writing comments as I go, and then we have a phone consultation to talk about the work that remains to be done. We usually go back and forth several times before your proposal is ready to be sent to an agent.
Can you help me find an agent or publisher?
Yes. I stay informed about agents, publishing trends and what publishers are looking for. Once your manuscript is ready to be submitted, I help writers compile a list of prospective agents and guide writers through the process of submission. I help with query letters, and for fiction writers, a plot synopsis. I can answer your questions about how to find information about agents, how to contact them, what to include in your submission package, how to handle multiple submissions and other concerns that might arise. If your manuscript doesn't need to be agented, for instance if it's a poetry or specialty press manuscript, I help you navigate the process of submitting directly to appropriate publishers.
Do you work with writers who plan to self-publish?
Yes. I would work with you in the same way that I work with other fiction and nonfiction writers, helping you to prepare the best manuscript possible. I don't assist with copyediting or production.
How do I contact you if I'm interested in your consulting services?
Please contact me through regular mail, not email. Write a one- or two-page description of your project and include a phone number and email address for response. Please do not send partial or complete manuscripts. My office address is:
3045 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
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You may also be interested in Dorothy Wall's coauthored book Finding Your Writer's Voice: A Guide to Creative Fiction »