‘The reading experience is supposed to transport people, move them through the power of story.’

—Professor James Scott Bell, instructor, speaker and best-selling author

In the stories we write—whether for work or pleasure; fiction or non-fiction—we are looking to deepen our connection with others. To write is to invite readers to undertake a journey with us, one that inspires them to see things with a fresh perspective, or to act differently—perhaps to make an impact. Whether you’re writing a single blog post or a long-form novel, a newsletter article or memoir, you want your readers to experience a shift that allows them to see the world differently.

 Transformational writing is writing that intentionally brings about this change—of insight, of beliefs, of behaviour.

But it isn’t always easy.

Transformational writing requires us to dig into our psyche. It requires us to be more visible, to stand behind what we think and believe. This doesn’t always feel comfortable. As your witness and guide, I help you build a relationship with writing that reflects who you are and the messages and stories that only YOU, uniquely, can express. Together, we’ll design a writing practice that results in more ease and joy in your self-expression. We’ll use the tools I’ve acquired across three decades: in completing a PhD; publishing fiction and drama; teaching writing and literature in a variety of educational and community settings; writing to support my business; mentoring writers across a range of forms; and through my experience as a Wayfinder life coach.

My approach is one of collaborative co-creation. I work with you to dislodge unhelpful barriers and complete whatever you want, or have started, to write.

“I have loved my coaching with Rachel. It came at the perfect time; I was feeling lost and low in my creative path after some bruising experiences, and working with Rachel helped me navigate with care and attention through a transitional period and to create a new and meaningful pathway for my creativity. I always ended each session feeling deeply inspired; the laughter and enlightenment during each session was the very best of medicine! The work we did around my ‘essence’ has been a gift of huge proportions, and I believe will keep on informing and giving for the rest of my days. I feel deepest gratitude and respect for Rachel, and the work we undertook together.”

— Leonie Charlton, Writer and creative practitioner, UK

“You helped me break into and face my biggest fears in writing. You’ve helped me stop doing things that were holding me back. You worked with me to craft a compelling story that connected all fifty poems in a collection about racism, belonging and personal responsibility. And I’m so happy that you’ve started me on a path of daring exploration and a new thread of creativity in my writing and expression—which is exploring the sensuality and sexuality of things, and to lean into the body. Your advice and provoking questions have led me to combine our discussions with a host of other ideas that have been bubbling inside me for a long time. So, I'm really, really grateful!

You have been so embracing of the person that I am. In our conversations, you identified where my momentum was already taking me and gave me just that gentle push. All in all, you helped me identify the aspects of myself and my writing process that I truly love and are the most me—and you encouraged me to dive even deeper into them. Thank you, Rachel, for helping to set the groundwork for me to follow my heart. I feel as though our coaching relationship hasn't ended. It's just begun.”

— Crystal Ding Medrington. Writer and polyglot poet, UK.

Step into the power of your creativity

  • INCITE TO WRITE creativity boost for professionals

    A creative-burst intensive (6 sessions)

    Are you a professional working in the creative and cultural industries, health or education sectors? Do you need to be creative at work, write copy for newsletters or create posts or articles? Maybe you have a specific project you’ve been avoiding—like an e-book, longer article or book chapter?

    Often, though, you sit down to write but end up reorganising your desk instead. You don’t know how best to tell the story you want to convey. You start things you never finish. Your hard drive is full of half-written drafts and you sometimes throw out whole pieces when they’re only 75% completed.

    In Incite to Write, we’ll spend the first 2 sessions mapping out what and how you’d like to write, and exploring what gets in the way. In the other 4 sessions, the focus becomes practical. We’ll work together on a specific piece or project (e.g. website text, blog or newsletter posts, articles). Prior to our Zoom meeting, I’ll provide in-depth feedback designed to stimulate your awareness and help you integrate your new-found editorial knowledge.

  • WRITING INSIGHT writing deep-dive

    A 6-month journey into creative transformation

    There’s a story you’re burning to tell, something that will increase your impact in the world and, in the process, contribute to your own creative growth and development. You’re committed to getting your story onto the page but perhaps don’t know what shape it should take. Or, you’re overwhelmed with the amount of material and unsure how to organise it. Where do you begin? You ask yourself: who are you, anyway, even to try to put this thing in writing?

    We’ll co-design a 6-month programme that will combine online coaching sessions and writing mentoring, feedback and support. First, we’ll first map out the vision of what you want to create. Then we’ll explore and reframe those things that hold you back from creating them—the critical voices. We’ll unpick the unhelpful narratives about creativity that limit you: your own and those you’ve inherited (from family, school or culture). Then we’ll work together what you want to say and how you want to say it—free of the constraints of what you think you ‘should’ be writing and how you think you ‘should’ be writing it.

  • IMMERSIVE INSIGHT SESSION

    Boost your clarity and skills in a standalone session

    You need some laser-focused creative help.

    This might involve talking through strategies for beginning or progressing a piece of writing or a project. It could be expert editing input or advice on form or structure. During an Immersive Insight Session we’ll spend anything between 1 - 4 hours together, addressing the nuts and bolts of your writing practice to enable you to get a specific piece of work over the finishing line.

Words of appreciation

“Writing a novel can be both a world of wonder and a lonely world where it is so easy to doubt that what you´re doing is worthwhile. I was amazed at the quality of Rachel’s feedback. She highlighted significant strengths in the manuscript I was not even aware of. Her thoughtful and insightful report left me feeling both inspired to continue and determined to make the necessary changes to structure, characters and dialogue.

Rachel is a great listener and, in the follow-up call, demonstrated an ability to build on my ideas with creativity and warmth. Rachel challenged me to make significant changes to the quality of what I had written and at the same time reinvigorated my desire to complete my novel and subsequently have it published.

— Deirdre Query. Writer, artist and storyteller, Balearic Islands, Spain

 

“After suffering many years of frustration, my contact with Rachel for an expert critique was the most important decision I have taken. Personable, inspirational and eager to share creative ideas and tips, the level of detail and guidance within her appraisal was exceptional—the secret of great writing unravelled. Then the lovely and informal follow-up allowed me to understand and develop the essential improvements I required. This very helpful style of consultation, as compared to a group literary course, focussed on my own writing and my individual objectives. I'm indebted to Rachel for giving me the crucial tools, encouragement and most importantly, a crafted book that I am now proud and confident to promote. Thank you so much."

— Martyn Chapman. Writer, UK

“Rachel helped me to create the ideal 'writing retreat' for myself—a creative structure that worked beautifully to progress an important writing project. I can hardly believe how simple it was once she had guided me towards a honed-down approach that suited my situation perfectly.” 

— EM. Poet and performer, UK

I approached Rachel at a time when I was working from home, and facing a variety of pressures on my time, and my capacity to deliver a project that had been postponed for 4 years by the pandemic. I was worried that years of hard work might slip away to nothing. 

The project that I was working on was not a straightforward play and I was worried that a collaborator might not understand my aims and objectives, but I need not have feared. 

Rachel listened. She asked careful pertinent questions. She was receptive to viewing films that were a significant part of the play, even though they were not part of the script, and she helped me realise that I was producing more of an art installation than a traditional play. The script had its own unique requirements for the spoken text, and together we found the solutions to those. 

Working with Rachel helped me carve out time for a project that I felt passionately about. She was patient and understanding when I lost faith in my own ability to deliver, and her encouraging words brought me back on track each time. We were able to work very efficiently with limited time, as she is extremely well organised. In the end, as well as being a creative life coach and script advisor, Rachel also did some editing work for me, and as a result I now have a script ready to take to the stage. 

I highly recommend Rachel if you are in need of a supportive collaborator and guide for any creative project.

Lucy Legg. Musician and writer, UK. Creator of The Lost Life of Tilly MacLeod 

thelostlifeoftillymacleod@gmail.com 

 

“Rachel fully understood each layer of my novel and made me feel I could continue writing with confidence and, most importantly, in my own voice. She was so easy to talk to - and listened so well - that the burden of trying to piece the novel together in the right order and interweave the characters’ stories began to feel lighter. I felt that she really cared about my novel.

Rachel taught me about how to adjust the pace of the narrative and how to increase tension, giving the areas which fell flat could be given new life.  Her observations helped me to discover dimensions in my novel that I didn’t know existed, opening it all out like a pop-up book.  Rachel found merit in every scene, including those requiring a rewrite or even cutting, and presented all her suggestions in a positive and encouraging way. She gave me lots of practical tips on how to restructure the chapters and improve their narrative flow.

When I finished the revisions, I was certain of two things. Firstly, my novel was the best it could possibly be. Secondly, I would not have found my way to that point without Rachel."

— Joanna Campbell. Award-winning novelist and short story writer, UK

 

“Rachel's excellent eye for detail and clear insightful advice on all aspects of my manuscript made her report a turning point in the writing of my first novel.  It was Rachel's positive attitude and continued encouragement which persuaded me to continue with my project and led to my subsequent shortlisting in a literary prize.  I would not hesitate to recommend Rachel's services to aspiring writers who are serious about improving the standards of their work.”

— Catherine Stobbs. Novelist, Yeovil Literary Prize shortlistee, UK

Catch my conversation with Daniel Mandel, musician and coach, on his podcast ‘Creative Engagement’ as we talk about coaching as artistry and the ways it intersects with my writing practice. If you listen the whole way through, you’ll also hear me read my short poem, ‘Stone.’ Thanks to Daniel for the invitation to have an inspiring dialogue about my passions and creative engagements in the world.