Diane Hall: Writing Coach, Copy Editor, Cheerleader

I recently interviewed Diane Hall, an enthusiastic, dynamic writing coach, copy editor, author, and writer’s mentor. Diane’s responses to my emailed questions are so direct and to-the-point that I decided to publish the interview with only the most minor editing, allowing her voice to come through.

FWP writers, note her special discount available to you.

FWP: Let’s start with you. Tell us a bit about your background and interests.

Diane: I have been interested in writing since junior school when I used to compose short stories for fun. I used to challenge myself from when I was first able to write. My favourite challenge was to write a whole story in 100 words. Although my writing went through different phases (I wrote horribly melodramatic pieces through teen angst and it disappeared altogether when my children were very young). I have never lost that love or passion. I qualified at proofreading as I also enjoyed the ‘perfecting’ of a piece of text.

FWP: How would you describe your business or service? Tell our writers a bit about how you got into this.

Diane: I initially began my business concentrating on just the proofreading and editing elements of writing but when I resurrected my own writing career I realised I had even more passion than before as I now viewed writing as an escape. I helped anyone with their text of any kind; work colleagues, contacts, other aspiring writers – and had so much positive feedback (gushing, even) that it became apparent that my creativity and excitement transferred and inspired them too.

FWP: What differentiates your service from others in terms of the distinctive benefits you provide to writers?

Diane: I wouldn’t say my business is amazingly unique but I would say my personality is. I make each writer feel at ease, as if they can conquer the world, which shows through in their writing. My enthusiasm is infectious and I have a very personable quality. However, I don’t say things I don’t mean, i.e. I don’t just churn out compliments; I give plenty of criticism where it is due but I do it constructively. My firm mantra is: criticism should be constructive, not destructive.

FWP: Our writers range from traditionally published to self-published to aspiring for publication. How might you help each?

Diane: It does not matter to me how they want to publish their work but that they think the finished product is the very best it can be at that time. If they don’t believe in their work you can bet that an agent or publisher – or reader, for that matter – won’t either. My clients are likely to be aspiring authors but I would also welcome anyone that has been published but whom needs to rediscover their spark.

FWP: Please share a success with our readers of a fiction writer client who reached a new writing plateau or achievement as a result of your services.

Diane: I am currently working with a client with dyslexia. As a film-maker he has won three Emmy awards and has been to places you and I can only dream of – places he now wishes to write about. However, his dyslexia was getting to be a problem. What I have shown him is that he was letting his condition control him rather than the other way round – it was stunting his creativity and knocking his confidence. By focusing more on the content than the mechanics of his writing he is now so inspired he has affectionately christened me “Coach Diane”. He knows we will go over the structure and mechanics of his writing later but for now I have taken a hypothetical spanner and released the pressure on his tap of creativity.

FWP: Describe your ideal writer-client. What characteristics would enable them to be most successful using your services?

Diane: I love working with any type of client. If they have an open mind and are also receptive to suggestion and change then it makes life easier for me.

FWP: What are the most common reasons a writer engages you?

Diane: Anyone whom has the bare bones of their story together but may want a beta reader’s feedback as well as editing and proofreading services to perfect their final draft; anyone that knows in their mind what they want to write but don’t know where to start; writers that have got quite far into their story but are now stuck at a certain point and need help with how to continue.

FWP: How do you differentiate your services from that of an agent, coach, or publicist?

Diane: I am not solely a coach; I can edit and proofread your work to an extremely high standard if this is what you require. Having qualified some years ago in the industry as a proof reader I have many satisfied clients who come back to me time and time again for this service.

FWP: What do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages to writers of a service such as The Fiction Writers’ Platform?

Diane: There are many advantages to being in a like-minded community – plenty of opportunity for valuable feedback or the answer to a technical question. I cannot envisage any disadvantages.

FWP: Should our writers wish to use your services how do they contact you and begin the process?

Diane: They just need to get in touch! My number (United Kingdom) is 07983 089621 – or the office number is free: 0800 4101 041 – just leave a message. Alternatively, they can contact me at diane@thewritinghall.co.uk or complete the contact form on the website http://www.thewritinghall.co.uk.

FWP: Are you able to offer our writers a discount or special benefit for learning about you through The Fiction Writers’ Platform? What should they do to qualify?

Diane: For anyone who has found me from FWP I can offer them an exclusive discount of 15% from my normal hourly charge. Please contact me for more details as my rates are dependent on which service you need.