Home Stretch, Baby!

A three-month writing coaching program to get you to that glorious finish line.

Seriously now, let’s finish this thing.

It’s time to get this thing finished. Right? Fini, terminado, Good Bye, don’t cry, I’m off to the next writing adventure. But you also want to do it well. You’ve worked so hard, this isn’t the time to rush.

Anne Lamott says that finishing a manuscript is like putting an octopus to bed. Just when you think it’s down, another tentacle pops up. This stage of creation requires patience, fortitude and humour, yet it comes when we’re at our most worn out. That’s why we’re here.

For this three-month program we’ve pulled out all the bells and whistles — conversations every two weeks, video writing warmups, a subscription to Morning Coffee Sessions, and weekly email check-ins from your coach. You’ll also get a guaranteed spot in our next open mic night.

Together with your coach, you’ll chart your path from where you stand now to the glorious end of this project, and then you’ll break it down into manageable pieces. You’ll look at what’s going well, as well as what needs more writing and attention, and then you’ll give it that attention. Coaching conversations will focus on whatever you need to get this done — plot theory, creating a routine, connecting with other writers, re-energizing your practice and knowing when (and how) to stop.

Together, we’ll figure out what you need in order to put this beautiful, complicated octopus to bed, and then we’ll do it.

  • You’ve made a ton of headway and are nearing the end of their project. (Check out New Sprouts or The Messy Middle if you are in the earlier stages of a project)

    You’re really, really ready to see this thing through.

    You’re craving a creative ally who can bring a fresh, new perspective on their work.

    You have time to commit to writing. (Yes, this stage, like the ones behind you, will take time.)

    • You haven’t started your project yet. Check out New Sprouts to get yourself out of the gates.

    • You’re finished and looking for a professional editor for a final look.

    • You’re looking for a coach to wave a magic wand to make the process of revision effortless. Instead, this will give you a committed and sensitive ally to help you find your path, and who will stay with you through the hard parts.

    • Your only goal is to get this published. We believe that while publishing can be a rewarding phase of the creative process, our job is to help you create your most powerful work in the moment, regardless of what comes later.

    • You’d rather walk away than work on this more.

    • A no-pressure call with your coach to get a feel for them and for how you’ll work together.

    • 60-minute meetings every two weeks with your writing coach via phone, Skype, or in person in Toronto.

    • Opportunities every two weeks to send work to your coach to discuss in your session — up to 3,000 words of prose or 1,200 words of poetry.

    • A 3-month subscription to Morning Coffee Sessions.

Cost:

This package costs $1725 total, which can be broken up into three monthly payments of $575. At the end of three months, you can choose to wrap up or customize your plan to meet your exact needs. Tax will be added for Canadians in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

Four times a year, we give out bursaries for our programs to people with financial barriers. Check out our upcoming dates.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Want to know more about what coaching is like?

If you haven’t seen it yet, watch our 3-minute video on what coaching can provide. If you still have questions, read our coaching FAQ.

Your coach:

You’ll work with one of Firefly’s powerful writing coaches. After you fill out your intake questionnaire we’ll have a good sense of who will be the best match for you. Then we’ll hook you up for a phone call so that you can feel out the chemistry for yourself. If you already have a hunch about who you want to work with, you can request them on the form.

Ready to take a deep breath and dive in?

Questions?

If you have questions that aren’t covered on our FAQ page or you just need a guide to help you find the right Firefly program, drop us a line. We’ll be happy to help you find just the right thing.

Credit where credit is due

The photo we’re using to promote this page was taken by Ales Krivec and shared via Unsplash.