“I was really stuck trying to figure out how to articulate the argument of my book project. The thesis I’d been working with no longer seemed to fit, but I couldn’t quite see my way around it. Anne took time to talk through and ask me questions about the narrative I wanted to tell and helped me to see the material in new ways. Our conversation was galvanizing—it got me on course toward a much stronger framework for the book and it also reignited my excitement about the project.”
Are you stuck?
Have you become bored, frustrated, or lost in what you’re writing? Even when you set goals, stick to a schedule, and put in regular writing time, you can still feel like you aren’t making progress. Why? Perhaps because you can’t find your argument, you aren’t sure how to structure a book, or maybe you’re just not as interested in a project you’ve been working on for a long time. Idea Therapy can help.
What is Idea Therapy?
Idea Therapy is the talking cure for your writing. Together we’ll work through a series of questions that get to the heart of what’s holding you back and discover what you really want to write (as opposed to what you think others want you to write). You’ll learn how to transform an old idea into a new one, resolve conflicting feedback, clarify your claims, make your big idea bigger, and overcome the hesitancy about producing excitingly new work.
If you work in literature, languages, cultural studies, history, and related humanities fields, I can help you think big, see possibilities you didn’t know were there, write for your most engaged reader, and rekindle your enthusiasm.
How does it help?
Idea Therapy can help you find your focus, refine your point, restructure your chapters, and start writing at a faster clip. Talking to others is essential for honing your ideas and polishing your writing. But too often professional interlocutors have their own investments. Perhaps it’s an old advisor whose identity is wrapped up in your success, a department chair pushing you onto tenure quickly, or even a well-meaning friend who can inadvertently give advice that reinforces the choices she’s made rather than what’s right for you. Idea Therapy lets you get it all out and explore your own desires and ideas without any judgment. You’ll leave feeling confident about your work and ready to do more.
How does it work?
Idea Therapy involves talking through what you most want for your writing. We begin with a client questionnaire that helps you think about the history of your project, what has driven you to pursue it, and what you most need to go forward. But I can also look at your book proposal or article abstract as part of our discussions. After Idea Therapy, you might also want to continue with individual coaching, or I can refer you to a developmental editor who will work more closely with you to take the ideas you unlocked and transform them into a book proposal, book manuscript, or article.
How much does it cost?
Please email for our current rates. In autumn 2021, Idea Therapy will be offered as a 1-month package.
How do I get started?
Fill out the form to set up a free consultation to talk further about how Writers and Scholars can help you.