The Tide Chart
Group Coaching Cycles
The Origin Explanation
for People-Who-Like-to-Read-Introductions
After a 2022 filled with group coaching or my own growth—in business, personal, and content related topics—I am a newly converted fan of this format. There's something powerful about stepping into a container with folks who are on a similar journey, without being in the same place. In fact, it's better to have a range of folks learning the same concept but applying it to various places. In-fact-in-fact, I think that little bit of distance that comes from not being the only one on the call or being focused on a really specific stage of work creates even more opportunity for insight.
Instead of zeroing in on the question you think needs to be answered, you're able to show up to the call open to what may come, and that can spark big breakthroughs.
But to be perfectly honest, the idea of creating a strict curriculum or process for a group freaked me out. Mostly because of logistics. Did we need everyone to be at the same stage? Would it have to follow a strict timeline? Who gets to decide when and where it starts?
Cue overwhelm. Cue panic. Cue breathing and returning to said-group-coaching-settings. Cue this rhythm.
The best group learning happens when we show up ready to solve a present problem in a new way, or to observe someone else solve theirs. So that's what we're going to do. I'll hold the space for us and set out cycles of topics to learn through, and you show up just as you are, right where you are, open to where we might go from there.
This rhythm is built from the repeating patterns I've seen in 1:1 work over the years. Let's look at it first as a cheat sheet of the steps I recommend from the moment you decide you want to write a book to the tools you need to actually get to done.
The Process Explanation (for People-Who-Like-to-Read-Bios)
Topics We Cover
When It's Finally Time to
Get Your Book Moving
But For Real Though
Big Idea Discovery
Get a clear picture of your book’s purpose, reader, and content progression.
-
Author
How do you want to show up to your book? -
Reader
How does your reader show up to your topic? -
Change
What kind of change invitation are you creating? -
5MO
Use the 5 Minute Outline to map (or validate) your global book structure.
Keep moving: write solo, sprint with us in the evenings, grab office hours, book a $500 1:1 discovery call, kick off a $2,000 1:1 discovery series.
“Table of Content” Arc Development
Create a three-dimensional arc and condense it into an outline.
-
Worldview
What progression of topics changes your reader’s view of the world? -
Narrative
What progression of topics connects with your reader emotionally
to keep them reading (while you get them changing)? -
How-to
What progression of topics delivers on what your reader says they want
(while giving them what you know they actually need)? -
5MO
Use the 5 Minute Outline to map (or validate) chapter structure.
Keep moving: follow Reluctant Drafter as we work through this for our book, write solo, sprint with us, grab office hours, book a block of 1:1 calls for ongoing support.
The Drafting Practice
Get a new lens on drafting strategies that work for you.
-
M Sprints
Use the constraints of time and intention to make drafting (a little) less painful. -
TMJ
Maximize dictation and other novel techniques to get your draft out. -
5MO
Use the 5 Minute Outline on a beat or section level when it's time to write. -
Open Q&A/Coaching
Address concerns unique to your process, content, and flow, because this is about finding what works for you—not about berating yourself into a writing practice.
Keep moving: write solo, sprint with us, continue group coaching, book a block of 1:1 calls, or request a development retainer to stay in touch via email.
Momentum Build for Revisions
Anchor your writing process with strategies that celebrate iteration without getting lost in perfectionism.
-
The WTF Read
Reframe the post-draft panic into a judgment free space of curious reflection. -
See the Matrix
Connect content on the page to story shapes for easier analysis and revision. -
Shuffle Draft
Move content around without getting lost in the scroll. -
Open Q&A/Coaching
Repeat: Address concerns unique to your process, content, and flow, because this is about finding what works for you—not berating yourself into a writing practice.
Keep moving: write solo, sprint with us, start another group coaching cycle, book a block of 1:1 calls or a manuscript assessment or diagnostic (required if you are interested in starting a revisions intensive—send a chat or book a call if you're interested).
The Free Version
for People-Who-Like-to-DIY
Group Coaching Options
for People-Who-Want-to-Get-On-With-It-Already
Weekly Hangouts
Four 60-90 minute webinars, $250
-
Weekly training for a month
-
Topics vary
-
Webinar format
-
Limitless attendees
-
Solo or added to other containers
-
Personal analysis upgrades
Good for ongoing education and new angles of nonfiction analysis.
Chime in on what you'd like to see here, including upgrade options, by clicking through below...
8 Week Container
Four 90-minute group calls, $500
-
Single focus for the container (e.g., Big Idea Discovery)
-
Bi-weekly (twice/month) calls
-
Zoom group engagement
-
Limited group sizes
-
Feedback upgrades
Good for slower exploration, sitting with your idea, or validation as you continue writing.
Chime in below...
16 Week Container
Eight 90-minute group calls, $1000
-
Dual focus (e.g., Big Idea and Table of Content)
-
Bi-weekly (twice/month) calls
-
Zoom group engagement
-
Limited group sizes
-
Feedback upgrades
Good for a deeper dive into the layers of your content or creating a more intentional writing practice.
You know the drill...
All purchases are nonrefundable, and each payment covers that cycle only. Recordings and homework will be sent so that those who can't make it still obtain the training. Purchases of any calls (webinars excluded) do gain access to the Client Vault—a living database of the programs and resources I build out in response to ongoing learning and development with you all.
Thank you for partnering in my work and trusting me with yours!
The Invitation
for People-Who-Are-Still-Reading
Who
Seasoned or new nonfiction writers* actively** exploring or working on a book.
*I use "writer" loosely. See what I mean about midway through this page, or trust me when I say you don't have to be a writer by trade to be a writer. If you're communicating something meaningful in long-form format, you count.
**All are welcome, but you'll get the most benefit from this space if you've got something you're working on.
If you don't want to admit you're writing a book yet, but you keep saying some variation of "I really should..." this is probably the space for you.
What
Group training/coaching sessions focused on nonfiction books and unblocking your process of writing them.
The 4-week cycle will have varying topics.
If you join mid-month you'll get retroactive recordings for that calendar month.
The 8- and 16-week cycles will have set topics influenced by the group's dynamic.
If you miss a start date, send me a chat to ask about joining late. If it makes sense, we'll make it work.
When
The 4-week cycles will be available on an ongoing basis.
The 8- and 16-week cycles will have specific enrollment periods and start dates.
Where
Watch this page, sign up here, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates.
All training will happen over Zoom, with recordings and homework emailed afterward.
Please use your best contact email when signing up.
Why
Because we're better together.
How
Sign up when enrollment is available, then show up ready to explore.
Read on for more Q&A, and when in doubt, send me a chat. We'll manage the rest together.
Q&A
for People-Who-Should-Probably-Contact-Me
What do calls look like?
We'll hold a call every other week within the container you choose. They'll be 90 minutes long, on Zoom,
and you'll have a recording and homework notes in your inbox afterward.
Just like the evening sprints I run, I'll ask us to all say or chat what we're working on
and where we may be stuck or celebrating (or both). This gives us a chance to customize that week's topic to
any group themes that are emerging, and it brings you more fully into the space of the call. With that specificity/intention,
whatever we cover will have something specific to attach to in your mind.
Then we'll cover that week's topic, using someone real as a case study—either on that call or something I'm working through.
You're welcome to chat throughout to ask questions and work through specific things,
but the bulk of the time the group will be on mute so that we can manage the clock more effectively.
And we'll close with some kind of homework related to that topic, customized to the stages of writing
that are represented on that call. You'll have two weeks to work through it, then we'll move into the next topic.
If you do a feedback add-on, I'll direct you on when and where to send your material.
1:1 engagements are managed completely separately from this, though you're welcome to do both.
Do I have to show up?
Nope, but to be clear, there won't be refunds if you don't.
There is added benefit to coming live, but the training is the training and you're welcome to work through it
behind the scenes. Recordings will be sent out to honor both time zone and preference differences.
You also don't have to have a camera on. You don't have to come off mute.
If I call on you to work through something live, you can say no. On the flip side, you can show up camera on,
notes-taking, sending messages in the chat, and volunteering. Your participation level (say it with me:) is entirely up to you.
Will I have to give feedback, participate in a community, or commit to anything?
Nope. There are lots and lots of community oriented writing groups out there. This is not one of them.
I want to maximize your investment and my calendar (and brain) space, and I want to create the opportunity
for a broader perspective and shared learning when we're on calls.
If you're worried about IP concerns, sharing vulnerable or sensitive content, or getting distracted
by anyone else—don't. Your participation level is entirely up to you.
Will group calls dig deep enough to really help me?
Yes, and.
Can we dig deep enough in a group setting to move you forward? Yes.
Can we dig deep enough to help you understand new concepts? Yep.
Can we dig deep enough to guarantee a book in X amount of time?
No, but I don't even promise that 1:1.
What I can promise is:
-
small enough groups to not lose intimacy and safety,
-
the opportunity to answer your questions directly,
-
1:1 and feedback upgrades if you need more support,
-
to show up fully for anyone who shows up at all.
Book writing is not like baking. The ingredients don't always turn out. Sometimes we get surprised.
Sometimes we like the surprise. Sometimes we have to smash it up and turn it into something else.
(Bakers, don't come for me. And if you do, bring cookies.)