What people are saying about my courses

Discover insights you didn't know you had

I'm always looking for ways to make my work more distinctive in a crowded marketplace. Being asked to compare and contrast my work with my role models was a useful exercise in identifying how they've shaped my writing. I came away with a better understanding of what I'm striving for with my own stories as well as the roots of that inspiration. It forced me to do the WORK.

I'm not given to introspection in my own work, but by asking a series of small but important questions, the DYSS workbook led me down a path to greater understanding of areas where I excel and areas where I need to pay more attention. These exercises not only helped me consider how I shape my stories, but they sparked creativity as I considered the brand I present to my readers. Identifying common themes, tropes, and characters crystallized the direction my writer's voice has started to move.

I fully expected a workbook from Sue to be built on positivity and encouragement, and I was not disappointed. Even if you're someone who dreads breaking down your own writing style (guilty!), Sue's upbeat, step-by-step approach will walk you through the process and help you discover insights you didn't know you had. I could feel her rooting for me to make a breakthrough in every line.

Asking what I didn't want my readers to experience was an interesting reversal in thinking and helped me approach the experience I want them to have so I can avoid disappointing them (and myself). Also, by combining a handful of words to describe my characters, themes, tropes, etc., I have a better understand of the writer I'm becoming.

This workbook is suited for writers at all stages of craft and career development. Newbies will start thinking about the work they want to present to the world, and experienced authors can track how their work has evolved and matured. I enjoyed seeing my answers all laid out for clarity, and the exercises even prompted a breakthrough on a plot snarl in a work-in-progress I've been stuck on.

I thought the Define Your Storytelling workbook was great. I love that it sets realistic expectations about what it can and cannot do. And the tone is so lovey. 🙂

Empowering, straightforward, and actionable

I always like reading advice to elevate my craft and anticipate keeping that list of character development questions up along side my working document as I start to plan a new book. They're simple and straightforward, and they'll be good focus questions.

The Three Fixable Reasons guide is straightforward and actionable. When Sue says she’s focused on empowering romance authors, she’s not exaggerating.

This guide offers a series of concrete, pragmatic questions that will help you flesh out your characters and find ways to connect with an audience. Even better, the advice is presented in Sue’s positive and encouraging style, so it’s almost like having a friend cheering you on when you open your work-in-progress.

Whether you’re writing your first book or your fifteenth, Sue’s guide has the potential to elevate both your craft and your marketing.

A wonderful step-by-step process to identify a writer’s strengths

The Define Your Storytelling Style primer workbook sparked the desire to actually think about why I like or dislike certain styles, tropes, and points-of-view. I love the last exercise which boils down the answers into a cohesive statement. It’s the first time I’ve ever completed with a workbook to this type of conclusion.

I would recommend this guide for authors new to writing. It’s a wonderful step-by-step process to identify a writer’s strengths. The information is exceptional.

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Lisa Coughlin
Author of contemporary small-town romance
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This guide has something for everyone, not just romance writers

I felt stuck with my writing and wanted to read something that would inspire some ideas. The part about committing to your own style really resonated with me. I realized I have a tendency to constantly change my style of storytelling when I write and second guess myself. It prohibits me from moving forward and finishing because I keep going back. I usually write in Scrivener, but the problem with that is each chapter is easily accessible to me, which makes it easy for me to go back instead of forward. Once I realized my problem, I saved my story into a word document, making it more of a hassle to go back and it made me focus on where I was supposed to be.

The Three Reasons Guide gave me the information it said it would as well as some bonus information, which is always a plus. It also felt less like I was reading a book and more like I was talking to a friend. I've struggled with owning my own style for years, but it's thanks to books like this that I've been able to figure it out little by little. I realized that I just need to write what I love and not overthink it.

Anyone who is serious about writing would benefit from this book. Even if they aren't exclusively romance writers. There is something for everyone in here.

Alex Pitones , YA/Urban Fantasy Writer
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A wonderful step-by-step process to identify a writer’s strengths

The Define Your Storytelling Style primer workbook sparked the desire to actually think about why I like or dislike certain styles, tropes, and points-of-view. I love the last exercise which boils down the answers into a cohesive statement. It’s the first time I’ve ever completed with a workbook to this type of conclusion.

I would recommend this guide for authors new to writing. It’s a wonderful step-by-step process to identify a writer’s strengths. The information is exceptional.

Lisa Coughlin , Author of contemporary small-town romance
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An enlightening, flexible yet detailed guide

I finished writing my rough draft - yay! - but have felt a little lost in the editing process. I purchased the workbook because I was hoping to narrow down my thought process and try to refocus on my story instead of focusing on all the work I have left to do and how daunting it all seems.

The workbook helped me think on a deeper level about my style—not my story, but my style of writing that story. It was enlightening. I have often searched for a workbook type guide to help me organize my thoughts for a story. This book not only did that but helped me focus on the details of how to write that story and in my own voice/style. Any struggling writer could find this helpful. It's a flexible yet detailed guide to focusing inward by assessing what things you do and don't like about stories you read or write and how to apply those assessments.

Even at the full price of $21 I think it's worth it, as you can reuse it as many times as you need and can help you reorganize your thoughts and priorities per story or as something to keep near your desk to refer to whenever you start feeling overwhelmed in the writing process. It just felt good to self-examine that deeply and in a way I wouldn't have thought to go about it exactly. The workbook helped me identify the various elements I love and helped show that you can mix and match, making it your own, instead of just trying to emulate your favorite author.

Buffy Kennedy , Aspiring Writer

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Have you completed one of my workbooks or courses? I'd love to hear your feedback, whether it's criticism or praise. (Seriously.) Choose the product you want to review below.

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