"Desiree has guided me on my journey of discovery and writing with a patient and kind sensibility."

- Debbie

Get Help With Your Writing

As your writing coach I will:

Learn about your writing goals, issues, and what you want to accomplish. Then I'll:

Read your pages and make detailed notes
Identify the "macro issues" and suggest ways to fix them. This typically includes offering writing exercises that explore characters, conflict, and plot.
Meet with you (if local) and spend about 90 minutes going over my notes, answering your questions, and settting new writing goals.

A word about my philsophy:

Creating stories, whether real or imagined, is a sensitive issue. I have been where you are and know the value of a professional, honest, and encouraging critique. I have also experienced the opposite and almost chucked my writing career. I don't want this to happen to anyone, so my goal is to leave you wanting to write more, not less. I will respect you and your work, treat it with care, and provide you with honest and helpful feedback.

And for those who worry that their story is "any good," EVERY story has potential, and that is what I look for first.

Fees

A feedback session is based on word count: approximately $8.00 per 1,000 words for stories over 10,000 words.

(Ex: 66,000 word count = $528 for a full critique).

Works 10,000 words or less are $75.

Individual Writing Sessions

If you are still in the developmental phase of your story, working one-on-one for a few sessions may be a good choice for you. At our meetings we will outline a project plan and set due dates. Exercises, readings, and prompts will help move you towards a completed project.

Writers enjoy this option because it helps them stay focused and accountable.

For each session I will read up to 45 pages (double spaced, 12pt font) and provide written feedback. During our sessions, we will go over your pages and I will offer exercises and other options designed to help you move forward.

Per session fee: up to 20 pages per session: $65

20 - 45 pages per session: $80

Get 4 sessions for $235 or $295 (paid in advance)

What others are saying . . .

Carol Anne Perrini

I highly recommend Desiree as your guide. As a result of taking workshops with Desiree I have finished a book of short stories and am now finishing a novel. She is a true treasure for all of us in Long Beach.

Anthony Carter

Desiree is a wonderful teacher. Having worked with her for two solid years and multiple revisions of my sci fi collection, I found her patience, professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to excellence awe inspiring.

Don't walk to her classes, run as if your creative life depends on it !!!!!

Barbara Buckles

I'm in the process of writing a memoir and turned to Desiree for some one-on-one feedback. I gave her just the first 40 pages that I’d already written to see if she thought I was on the right track, to see if my writing was pulling her into the story. I wasn’t sure what to expect since we hadn’t worked together before, but I can’t overstate how pleased I am to have consulted with her. From the first words out of her mouth, her insights were extremely helpful, and she gave me much more substantive help than I could have hoped for. I will be definitely be turning to Desiree again as I finesse my pages.