It’s rare to meet a freelance writer who’s in it for the pitching. Writing? Sure. Putting yourself on the line to say how great your idea is and why you’re the person out there to write it? Every-muscle-in-the-body-tensingly horrible. 

Except when, occasionally, it isn’t. 

I have a piece in one of my favourite magazines this week. That one was easy to pitch. 

Because I love the magazine? No, that’s as likely to make me more self-conscious and self-critical. 

Because of my iron self-confidence? Hahahahahahahahaha! No. 

Because I’m getting used to pitching? Mmm… maybe, a bit, but no, that’s not why.

It’s because I was really ****ing angry.

The Magic Trick, Part 1: Knowing Something Needs to Be Said 

Creative Confidence: Coaching for Writers in the current issue of Writing Magazine is there because of something another writer – one of their regulars – said in print a year or so ago (because – spoiler alert for what reality’s really got up its sleeve for you when you’re pitching – even when it goes well, that can be how long between writing the words and seeing them in print). What I was angry about was that regular columnist stated that writing coaching was ‘mostly teaching’. 

When done badly or carelessly, that may be true. 

But professional coaching isn’t teaching. Teaching is the one-way imparting of knowledge. Coaching is a thinking partnership. As my client, you are the expert on you. I am your brain’s external hard drive, a symathetic provocateur adjusting the level of challenge to what’s right for you and always, always based on your objectives: partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, as my union, The International Coaching Federation, has it.

The editor of Writing Magazine is, in my e-experience, a very nice person. But even if that weren’t true, my pitch would still have been friendly. It would be on the side of the person I’m writing to. Because anger, when used helpfully, is about achieving the change that’s needed in the world, not simply relieving the emotion of anger. It’s not about you blasting at someone, it’s about you making the change the world deserves; that moves us all in the right direction. 

The Magic Trick, Part 2: Knowing It’s Up to You to Say It

Next time pitching feels too much like putting yourself on the line, make a list of things that annoy you. Or make you feel trapped or misrepresented or unheard. 

If someone were going to pay you to really illustrate one of those, which would you want it to be? 

What would your piece be saying? Who to? What would it be asking? Of whom?

Write it.

For yourself first. 

Then edit and rewrite it, for all of us.

Because your truth (even if it’s in a year or so) has a place in the slightly-better world it’s up to all of us to create.

Coffee & Creativity at Olympic Studios, Barnes | 10-11.30am Friday 6 June
Grow your connections, build motivation and unlock inspiration in this creative networking event with a difference. Dr Rachel’s gently powerful facilitation provides a space to turn curiosity into creativity, wherever you are in your writing journey. Click here.

Come and Write This Week

(If you’re not in the UK, find your timezone here.)

Our next Writing Workout and Feedback is Tuesday 17 June. But first…

The Writing Room | 11am-1pm Monday 5 May
Free for everyone on my mailing list (if you’re reading this, that’s you!). No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and ten minutes’ (totally optional) chat together at the end. Click here.

Writing Magic Realism | 1pm-2.30pm Tuesday 6 May
From literary and genre fiction to poetry, film and TV, magic realism expresses a deeper truth to the everyday. It lets our themes and emotions take physical form, and allows the worlds we live in within our own minds to become real places in the worlds we create. Click here.

Coffee & Creativity | 1-2.30pm Wednesday 7 May
Hosted by Writers’ Gym staff member, Bella Barbieri. Quality writing time and excellent company! Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Free for members: type your discount code where indicated.Click here.

Writing Room EXTRA | 6-7pm Thursday 8 May
Members only: please check Voxer messages.

Monthly Writing Workout | 6.30-7.30pm Tuesday 27 May 
Grab a workout at the Writers’ Gym. Creative exercises, supportive discussion, specific tips and techniques for the writer you are. A guaranteed boost to your knowledge, enthusiasm, confidence and your word-count! Click here.

Coffee & Creativity at Olympic Studios, Barnes | 20-11.30am Friday 6 June
Grow your connections, build motivation and unlock inspiration in this creative networking event with a difference. Dr Rachel’s gently powerful facilitation provides a space to turn curiosity into creativity, wherever you are in your writing journey. Click here.

The Writers’ Gym is part of Rachel Knightley Coaching: creative confidence for life, work and art. www.rachelknightley.com

You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session: visit here. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other events, ask about membership at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com