FAQs

I work with romance authors who feel disconnected from their creativity, stuck in a persistent writing block, or unable to move forward despite knowing their craft.

You may be writing your first novel, returning after years away, or navigating the pressures of an established publishing career. You don’t need to be traditionally published—or published at all—to benefit from this work.

We may explore blocks connected to:

• Burnout or creative exhaustion
• Imposter syndrome and self-doubt
• Perfectionism
• Fear of failure or success
• Difficult reviews, rejection, or criticism
• Visibility and being seen by readers
• Money fears connected to publishing
• Grief, divorce, or major life changes
• Losing confidence after a difficult release
• Returning to writing after a long absence
• Feeling disconnected from your voice or creativity

Some blocks are about craft, time, ADHD, or an overloaded schedule. This work is for the ones that feel more like fear, shame, resistance, or freeze.

This isn’t plotting, developmental editing, manuscript feedback, or story problem-solving. I won’t tell you what should happen in your book.

We’ll focus on what may be making it difficult for you to access your ideas, trust your voice, or move forward with the work.

You don’t have to know. “I don’t understand why I can’t write anymore” is enough of a place to begin.

We can start with what happens when you try to write and gently follow what emerges.

No. These sessions are personal and creative coaching—not psychotherapy, counseling, medical treatment, or a substitute for working with a licensed mental health professional.

Coaching doesn’t diagnose or treat trauma, mental health conditions, or active mental health symptoms.

Possibly. Coaching and therapy must remain separate, with our work focused specifically on your creativity and writing life.

If you need support for significant mental health symptoms or want to process trauma, your licensed therapist is the appropriate person to help with that work.

Brainspotting is a focused approach based on the idea that where you look can affect how you feel.

During a session, I may invite you to notice where your eyes naturally want to rest while staying aware of the thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations connected to your block. This can give us another way to explore something that hasn’t shifted through thinking or problem-solving alone.

No. Brainspotting doesn’t require you to explain every detail or retell an entire experience.

You choose what you share, and you remain in control throughout the process. You may pause, take a break, change direction, or stop at any time.

Parts Work helps us approach your block with curiosity instead of judgment.

The part that procrastinates, freezes, overthinks, or avoids the manuscript may be trying to protect you from criticism, disappointment, pressure, exposure, or pain. We’ll work to understand that protection instead of treating it as the enemy.

Yes. Brainspotting-informed coaching can be offered virtually, allowing you to participate from a private and comfortable space.

Not at all. I’ll explain the process and guide you through each step. You don’t need to prepare anything or understand the methods beforehand.

The Author Breakthrough Intensive is a three-hour, Brainspotting-informed coaching session for romance writers facing a block that won’t budge through craft advice, productivity tools, or willpower alone.

The extended format gives us time to identify the block, explore what may be protecting you, and create a gentle bridge back to your writing.

A traditional one-hour session can end just as you begin reaching an important layer of the block.

Three hours gives you time to settle in, follow what emerges without rushing, take breaks when needed, and integrate what you’ve noticed before the session ends.

It doesn’t mean three straight hours of talking or emotionally intense work. The pace is collaborative and flexible.

We’ll begin by clarifying the block you want to explore. From there, we’ll use Brainspotting and Parts Work to notice the thoughts, emotions, physical responses, and protective patterns connected to it.

We’ll finish by reflecting on what shifted and identifying a small, supportive next step toward your writing.

An intensive can create meaningful movement, but no specific outcome can be guaranteed.

Some writers find that one intensive gives them what they need. Others choose additional sessions to explore different layers or creative concerns. There’s no predetermined number.

We’ll take breaks whenever you need them. You remain in charge of the pace, and you’re never expected to push through discomfort to complete the process.

Additional sessions may be scheduled when ongoing support feels appropriate. We can discuss your options after the intensive without pressure or an automatic commitment.

Author Breakthrough Intensives are three-hour coaching sessions. Current pricing, packages, and availability are listed on the booking page.

No. Sparks & Swoons provides coaching rather than psychotherapy or medical treatment, so sessions aren’t eligible for health-insurance reimbursement or superbills.

Yes. Sessions are held virtually, allowing you to participate from your own private space.

Absolutely. Our work can be adapted to honor how you think, process, communicate, and create—without asking you to force yourself into someone else’s version of a productive writer.

My intention is to create an affirming coaching space where your identity, lived experience, and creative voice are respected.

I know trust isn’t assumed. It’s something we build together.