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SPIRIT OF STORY

Personal Story Coaching
For Memoir Writers

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Personal story coaching offers a guided, transformative path to uncover and shape your life stories with purpose and emotional clarity. Whether you’re writing a memoir or exploring your personal narrative, I mentor writers to unearth the deeper meaning within their lived experiences.

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Why chose story coaching with me

While many writing programs teach craft, my story coaching services are deeply intuitive, meeting you exactly where you are in your writing journey. 

Most writers come to me because they have a story they feel called to tell, but don’t know how to develop it into something whole.

Drawing on decades of experience guiding writers and working deeply with story across mediums,

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I mentor writers to transform their lived experiences into narratives that are compelling and emotionally resonant.

This isn’t about forcing your story into a formula, but discovering the shape and structure it longs to take. Here, your voice is honored, your process is supported, and together we uncover the essence of what wants to be told.

Contact Karin

What my story coaching services include

As a personal memoir writing coach and editor with a deep understanding of the story, I customize the relationship to meet each writer’s needs. I work with writers at all stages of the creative process whether it’s developing the early seed of an idea or evaluating a full-length work.

While I have worked professionally in multiple mediums, my passion lies in personal narrative, which includes memoir, creative nonfiction, personal essays, and documentary-style projects.

Ways we can work together

Creative Summit

Jump-start your project.

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  • This option is designed for writers who need a dedicated block of time specifically for brainstorming.

    The Creative Summit is ideal for individuals who have a collection of pages or a half-finished manuscript but are unsure how to proceed or build upon them.

    It also caters to those who are feeling creatively stuck or at a loss for where to focus, needing help in identifying their next steps. Additionally, it serves writers looking to define a larger game plan and strategy for their creative writing and professional goals. 

    The Creative Summit is structured as a single 2-hour session and often includes submitting material for review ahead of time.

Discovery Process

Deepen your writing with steady support.

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  • This option is for writers who want ongoing guidance and accountability as they develop their craft, voice, and prose style.

    The Discovery Process offers a steady rhythm of feedback and encouragement, creating space for exploration, growth, and regular practice. It’s about strengthening the foundations of memoir and personal narrative while staying engaged with your writing over time.

    Through this process, you will:

    • Have an accountability partner in your creative journey

    • Submit pages regularly and receive professional feedback

    • Develop your voice and build trust in your creative process

    • Learn the craft of memoir and personal narrative through practice

    • Stretch into new possibilities with consistent support and critique

    The Discovery Process requires a minimum three-month commitment.

Manuscript Evaluation

See your draft with fresh perspective.

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  • This option is for writers with a completed draft of a manuscript (most often a full-length memoir) who want a professional perspective on the work as a whole.

    A manuscript evaluation offers a high-level sense of what’s working, where the story could be strengthened, and what direction might serve you best as you move forward.

    The process includes:

    • An immersive read-through of your entire manuscript

    • A 90-minute conversation where we’ll talk through my overall impressions, highlight strengths, and identify opportunities for further development

    • Strategic recommendations for where to focus next, giving you clarity and direction

    You’ll come away with a big-picture understanding of your draft—so you can see your manuscript from the outside in and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Developmental Editing

Shape your manuscript into its strongest form.

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  • The Developmental Edit is designed for writers with a completed draft of a manuscript who want comprehensive, professional feedback to guide a re-write.

    Unlike a Manuscript Evaluation, which gives you high-level perspective, a Developmental Edit provides detailed written notes that serve as a roadmap for revision.

    I begin with an immersive read-through of your entire manuscript. You’ll then receive editorial notes outlining what’s working, where further development is needed, and my recommendations for strengthening the narrative. This feedback touches on the core elements of storytelling, including:

    • Premise

    • Storyline

    • World

    • Point of view

    • Writing style + voice

    • Structure + pacing

    • Character + dialogue

    • Theme

    • Marketing & audience

    Once you’ve had time to review the notes, we’ll schedule a 60-minute call — an opportunity to dialogue about the feedback, brainstorm ideas, and answer any questions you may have.

    The goal is for you to leave with a clear, confident plan for your re-write — and the insight to elevate your manuscript to its fullest potential.

The Personal Essay Intensive

Craft. Refine. Prepare for publication.

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  • Craft a single personal essay (up to 2500 words) from early draft to polished, publication-ready piece through deep coaching, editorial guidance, and strategic support.

    Over a series of intimate coaching sessions and in-depth feedback rounds, we’ll shape your piece from the inside out. We’ll explore the heart of what you’re trying to say—clarifying your story’s structure, deepening its emotional arc, and honing your voice so it feels true, strong, and resonant.

    Together, we’ll move through multiple layers of revision. You’ll receive thoughtful, personalized guidance each step of the way, with a mix of big-picture insight and line-level clarity.

    This process meets you where you are—whether you’re beginning with a vague idea or an early draft—and walks with you all the way through to a piece that feels polished, compelling, and ready to be shared with the world.

Story Mapping

Clarify the story you’re here to tell.

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  • Story Mapping is a focused, two-month coaching process designed to help you identify the primary story of your memoir — the one you feel called to bring forward now.

    It’s for writers who may have ideas or fragments they’ve been exploring, or who have felt the pull to write a book but aren’t yet clear on the specific story they want to commit to. Story Mapping helps you move out of uncertainty and into clarity, giving you the focus to ground yourself in the story that’s calling to be told.

    Over four sessions together, we will:

    • Explore your big why — what compels you to tell this story

    • Identify your memoir’s core themes and emotional heartbeat

    • Define your narrative promise — what your reader will take away

    • Map out 5–7 key milestones or turning points, the moments that anchor your narrative

    By the end of this process, you’ll have a clear and confident sense of your memoir’s central story, themes, and direction — a story compass you can return to as you continue writing.

Story Mentorship

Six months of book coaching to shape your memoir.

The Story Mentorship is my most immersive offering — a six-month coaching relationship for writers ready to commit to developing a full-length manuscript.

This is for you if you know the story you want to tell but feel uncertain about how to bring it fully to life on the page. Together, we’ll move from idea into execution, building both the structure and emotional depth of your book, while cultivating the confidence and clarity to guide you forward like a North Star.

As your book coach, I will help you:

  • Shape and structure your story

  • Identify the major themes

  • Develop the narrative arc

  • Strengthen your craft and understanding of story structure

  • Build a comprehensive story outline to serve as your roadmap for drafting your memoir

The mentorship includes biweekly coaching sessions, ongoing support via email, and the steady presence of a trusted partner walking beside you through the development of your book.

Because of the depth of this container, enrollment is by application. This ensures the mentorship is the right fit for both your goals and the stage of your memoir.

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Charlotte’s Experience

Charlotte Maya, author of Sushi Tuesdays, reflects on her Story Mentorship experience.

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Why personal story coaching makes a difference

Personal story coaching offers more than writing support. It’s a transformative partnership that brings clarity, confidence, and deeper meaning to your life narrative. 

1

Find clarity and narrative structure

Together, we’ll shape your life experiences into a coherent, cohesive narrative that reveals your story’s deeper message. Writers discover a clear understanding of their narrative arc and how their story fragments fit together.

2

Explore in a safe, supportive space

This process honors your voice and timing. You’ll write freely, without pressure, in a space where vulnerability is met with respect and deep listening. Writers often describe feeling held and guided into the emotional heart of their story.

3

Anchor your writing with tools and structure

You’ll receive concrete tools — like a story roadmap to see the big picture, key story beats to mark turning points, and structural frameworks — to anchor your writing, eliminate guesswork, and bring ease to your process.

4

Deepen and strengthen your work

Receive thoughtful, precise feedback that deepens your writing, refines your prose, and harnesses your authentic voice. Writers find this feedback not only clarifies their work but also inspires solutions and new possibilities within their story.

5

Move forward toward completion and beyond

Whether you’re writing for your own understanding or to share your story with the world, you’ll move forward with a clear path, and support through every phase of the journey. Many writers achieve publishing goals due to our coaching process.

Karin Gutman's portrait

Meet Your Story Coach

Karin Gutman, MFA, is the founder of Spirit of Story and a devoted story coach for writers navigating the terrain of memoir and personal narrative. With a background in screenwriting, documentary storytelling, and spoken word, she brings a rich, multifaceted perspective to her intimate, process-oriented approach. Her work is both craft-focused and heart-centered, offering a clear, grounded container for writers to uncover the shape of their story, deepen their voice, and move forward with confidence.

Learn more

Kind Words

  • … a master storyteller who knows how to develop the scaffolding necessary to build a manuscript from inception to completion.

    “Working with Karin has provided me with a supportive partnership to excavate the treasures of my story. She has a gentle style of eliciting the essence of what I’m trying to say by asking penetrating questions that cut right to the heart of the material. Writing can be such a lonely task and with her solid understanding of the craft coupled with creative collaboration, I’m able to accomplish my goal of completing a memoir I’ve been struggling with for years. Karin’s stewardship has given me the ability to put the words on the page with confidence. She is a master storyteller and knows how to develop the scaffolding necessary to build a manuscript from inception to completion.”

    - Darls Centola, author of Finding Truth with Michael

  • My gut on you was so right…

    “My gut on you was so right. The way you read and give notes really feeds me, and I am able to see so much more clearly now. I’m energized about this again, and not so lost. I am so grateful for your eyes and brain. I really love the way and the voice you have in your coaching and assisting me.”

    - Kelli Bean Miranda

  • … Always lovely and thoughtful in her approach…

    “Karin’s method of coaching is to coax the story out, gently asking just the right questions that lead deeper and deeper into the character’s thought process. The result is an unfolding richness of story I would not have uncovered on my own.  Always lovely and thoughtful in her approach, Karin is persistent, focused and has helped me stay on track even when my story demons were telling me to give it up...  I’m so glad I didn’t.”

    - Patricia Hernandez

  • … inspires you to think about solutions…

    “I would whole-heartedly recommend Karin to any aspiring writer who wants to make sure that her work is 'there' before sending it out to agents. Karin’s edits of both of my books were so comprehensive that I’ve yet to be surprised by any other notes that I’ve received on either of them. Her edits are thorough and constructive. She not only points out problems, but she also inspires you to think about solutions. This is why I plan to also send my future work to Karin, before I send them to my agent or publisher.”

    - Ernessa T. Carter, author of 32 Candles

  • … with Karin, I defined my voice, honed my craft, and found my drive.

    “I am forever grateful to Karin for helping nurture my passion. I first met her years ago when I was, believe it or not, still in middle school. She immediately took note of my vivid imagination and love of storytelling. If not for her reaching out, my life would've gone down a totally different path and my writing would never have blossomed into what it is today. I owe so much of my success and happiness to Karin, who has never stopped believing in me — even for a second. With her, I defined my voice, honed my craft, and found my drive. Her guidance turned me, a kid who liked writing, into a full-fledged writer.”

    - Charlie Neuner

  • I’m so happy to be doing this work. It’s nothing short of profound.

    “I’m so happy to be doing this work. It’s nothing short of profound. Showing up for myself in this way is the greatest reward I could imagine… with the guidance of your voice, discerning understanding of what’s important in each stage of memoir, and the way you shed light on writers and works that are like beacons to strive toward… this is just the best, Karin. I know this journey will present many writing challenges to come—and I’m just so happy I’m in this PROCESS.

    - Samantha Weaver

  • I wouldn't be here with out you!

    “I just I just wanted to thank you for your trust in me and Sushi Tuesdays. Last Thanksgiving, I didn’t have a publisher for this work, and this year we are a few quick months from books in hands. I wouldn’t be here without you!”

    - Charlotte Maya, author of Sushi Tuesdays

  • Reading your feedback allowed me to fall in love with my own story—and with myself.

    "Thank you so much for all your guidance and nurturing of this book. When I sat down to go through your document in full, it was an important moment for me. I was moved to tears reading your feedback. Your practical suggestions for the structure, your insights on the parts that needed to be stronger—explaining why and how—and the sections that are already impactful were invaluable to me as a new author. Reading your feedback allowed me to fall in love with my own story—and with myself."

    - Elizabeth Canon

  • It’s a messy process and you helped me find order, clarity and calm.

    “I have been having some pretty good thoughts about you lately while I work. Like, literal daydreaming moments of how good you are at your job. It’s a messy process and you helped me find order, clarity and calm. Others came before and failed!

    Just having the order in my brain and out is so friggin’ amazing. Gives me room to create, make connections. I seriously don’t know how you did it. It’s pretty great. Very satisfying!”

    - K.C.

  • You are exactly what I hoped for.

    “One thing I can let you know right off the bat. How relevant and important and fruitful our time together the other day was. You’re exactly what I hoped for. Thank you so much for your time and energy and creativity and insight.”

    - Teri Kinne

  • Your story structure class ended up being my favorite college course.

    “I am finally finished with college at CSUF and I just wanted to reach out and say that your Story Structure class ended up being my favorite college course. I can't thank you enough--you really cared about developing our material and your class truly set the bar when it came to actual constructive criticism and class input. I know you have hundreds of students and I don't expect you to remember me, but I just wanted to say thank you for caring and treating our undergrad screenplays like actual projects.”

    - Sierra Sanborn

  • You've helped me come out of my shell.

    “You’ve helped me come out of my shell. You helped me with my self-confidence and believing that I could actually do the writing. I feel like you get it. You could see underneath all the fluff and the details, You have such a strong understanding of story. I’ve learned so much about myself. It’s shocking how much I’ve discovered and unraveled and how much deeper my memory was able to go. What a great process it’s been. I really enjoyed working with you. It’s been an incredible, wild ride.”

    -M.H.

  • You made sure my message wouldn't get lost… you questioned and drilled deeper.

    “I wanted to thank you for taking my story on as a project. Good news!! I was accepted into the program I applied to. The director of admissions thanked me for being so open and honest in my personal statement. He said that he appreciated my struggles and applauded me for expressing them. I was practically accepted from the application stage.

    Thank you for helping me find the right balance of gnarly life storytelling while at the same time showing academic competence. You were good at being critical of what I was saying and how I was saying it. You made sure my message wouldn't get lost and would be clear and upfront. You questioned and drilled deeper, made me come out with it and helped me make it smooth and shiny.”

    - Erica Hudson

Interested in 1:1 Story Coaching?

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