Extreme Writing Makeover
- Do you have a boss who thinks you write too s-l-o-w-l-y?
- Are you a copywriter or freelancer who sometimes fails to meet deadlines?
- Do you want to write a book but haven’t managed to get beyond the first couple of pages?
- Are you a world-class procrastinator who will use any excuse to delay writing?
Sure, you could try to talk your way out of all of these situations (charming talkers can get away with a lot!) — or you could just give up. Instead, I suggest you actually solve the problem by taking my email-based course called Extreme Writing Makeover.
Over the 52 weeks of lessons, here are some of the topics covered:
- Celebrating what makes you, you: Finding your own natural writing voice.
- How to analyze a piece of writing you’d like to emulate.
- Setting your own, realistic writing goals.
- The best software for organizing your own research.
- Thoughts on the aha! experience and how you can use it to speed up your writing.
- Five ways to stop yourself from editing while you write.
- Best methods for enhancing the verbs in your writing.
- How to set up your computer so it does much of your editing for you.
Get published!
I want to share some good news with you: an article of mine has been published on a blog! Here is the link. I would never have been able to finish this piece so efficiently without your Extreme Writing Makeover.
Introducing an easy-to-take 52-week course!
What is it? Extreme Writing Makeover is a home study program, so you don’t have to travel anywhere. Start any time you like and you’ll have immediate access to a series of 52 writing lessons. Tackle them one per week and you’ll have enough to keep you busy for a year! (But you’re welcome to pursue the course faster, if you like.)
What’s your commitment? You’ll be able to read the lesson in four minutes or less. Warning: There will be homework! But it’s just for your own eyes — you don’t need to submit it and it won’t be marked. Homework can be done in less than an hour (sometimes significantly less time -– this is all about working quickly!) The purpose is to help you really understand the lesson.
What does your Publication Coach promise you? As the former features editor at a metropolitan daily, I have lots of experience coaching writers. What’s more, I suffered from my own terrible case of writer’s block and I understand the pain you are feeling. I’m also the author of two books: 8½ Steps to Writing Faster, Better, and Your Happy First Draft, and I have my own successful writing and communications consulting business. I can help you.
What kind of results can you expect? People who work with me tell me they can double or triple their writing speed. Some do even better than that! Suddenly, you’ll have a system for writing that puts you in control — instead of having it control you.
Product information
The course is divided into three main segments:
Preparation – 18 weeks
Writing – 16 weeks
Editing – 18 weeks
You’ll notice I devote more time to preparation and editing than I do to writing. This reflects my core belief that many people spend too much of their lives staring at blank computer screens. I’ll help you banish that bad habit!
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a principles-based course that will work for all types of writing. That said, I’m not a fiction writer so I won’t go into any details about plot, dialogue and characterization. For that type of advice, you’ll need to find a fiction expert. However, many fiction writers find my newsletter surprisingly useful. Just as classical musicians can learn from jazz players (and vice versa) so, too, fiction writers can frequently learn useful techniques from non-fiction writers.
Every writer is different so I can’t predict exactly how long the course will take you. I can tell you three things, however: (1) I structure the homework so you can fulfill much of it by doing your existing, work-related writing. (2) If you need to SAVE time, learn how to write faster! This course will teach you how to do that. (3) If you are motivated to improve your writing, you won’t find the work a burden.
My number 1 goal is to teach people to write easily — without pain, procrastination and writer’s block. You should expect to become more productive and efficient. You should also learn how to improve your writing with careful self-editing.
Owners of the premium version of my book (that’s people who have a hard copy of it) are currently entitled to a $59 discount on the premium version of the course. Note that this discount is a time-limited offer — I will alert you via my “Power Writing” newsletter before it expires.
If you have the book and want the discount, please email me. I’ll double-check your name in my records and then email you the special code you can apply in the shopping cart to get your $59 off. I’m afraid I cannot offer the discount to people who own the basic version of the book (the e-book) or to those who want only the basic version of the course.
When I picked the date (the first Tuesday of every month at 1 pm Eastern), I was aware that it would be impossible to accommodate everybody. For this reason I will be taping the calls and making them available to you so you can listen to them anytime you like. You are also welcome to email your questions to me, anytime, and I will answer them during the call and/or by email directly back to you.
Good idea to ask your employer for support! Many are enthusiastic about helping their employees beat writer’s block. If you need a receipt, please just email me.
The course is set up so you can start ANYTIME! You’ll receive access to your first lesson immediately, upon signing up.
You can start any time you like! The software allows you to chose when YOU want to do the lessons.
Yes, I encourage PR and corporate communications departments to consider this as an affordable way to train staff. I provide a 10% discount to groups of 10 or more. I’m also willing to change the one-on-one sessions to group ones (and tailor them to your specific needs) if that better suits your office. Writing groups are also welcome to consider this option.
Please email Daphne anytime with your questions.
Truly enjoyable
Thanks for a year of encouragement and excellent advice in writing. Truly enjoyable course and well executed.
Constant guidance
I can’t begin to thank you enough for your constant guidance; I look forward to your missives every week.
Daphne’s 100% turnaround money-back guarantee
If, after making your purchase, you feel the course isn’t going to work for you, simply email Daphne within the first six weeks and you’ll get your money back, no questions asked. If you don’t like the book, return it, and this guarantee is valid for one full year from your date of purchase.
Experience an Extreme Writing Makeover
$259
Here’s what you get:
- A 750- to 1,000-word lesson, once a week for a year.
- Focus on all aspects of the writing process: researching, writing, editing
- Self-directed homework to strengthen your writing skills.
- Group coaching sessions with Daphne on the first Tuesday of every month 10 x per year
- Year-long membership in a vibrant community of similar people
- Opportunity to ask Daphne anything
Canadians will be charged in CDN dollars if their ISP is in Canada
What students are saying
Great investment
Your course has been a great investment. I like the brief weekly lessons. And, even the lessons that address tools I’ve used for years, such as mindmapping, offer a new idea or two.
Really making a difference
I want to thank you for introducing me to mindmapping. I am hooked. I am in the middle of a two-month consulting project and got to present my work-to-date to company leadership yesterday. My mind maps were a home run and I looked like a genius! This course is fantastic and you really are making a difference for me!
Refreshed and hopeful
When I registered to take your writing makeover. I had left my full-time job to explore other options. I love your approach to writing and it’s making a fantastic positive difference in my life! I’m feeling refreshed and hopeful about all of my projects and life in general.
Better, faster writer
I can’t tell you how much your writing course has helped me be a better, faster writer. You’ve got a gem of a course. Lessons are easily digested and practical. Now, if only my son would follow the writing advice I’ve tried to pass on to him!