If you’ve ever stared at a half-finished manuscript wondering whether your story actually works, you need to meet Jennifer Larkin. She’s a certified book coach who understands the challenges of writing romance while juggling real life, and she’s here to help you navigate those tricky plot tangles before they derail your entire story.
Jennifer knows that writing romance isn’t just about getting words on the page. It’s about creating authentic chemistry, meeting reader expectations, and figuring out how to write those intimate scenes in a way that serves your story—all while staying true to your voice.
What exactly is book coaching? (And why it’s different from editing)
Many writers confuse book coaching with editing, but they serve completely different purposes in your writing journey. Understanding the difference could save you months of frustration and countless rewrites.
Book coaching happens during your writing process. Jennifer works with you as a collaborator and brainstorming partner, providing guidance even at the planning stage. She helps you untangle tough plot problems as they arise, not after you’ve already written yourself into a corner. If you’re an outliner, she can review your structure before you start drafting, potentially saving you from major story issues later. If you come to her with a completed manuscript, Jennifer might give similar feedback to a developmental editor. But afterward, she’ll work side by side with you throughout the revision process.
Editing happens after you’ve finished. An editor receives your completed manuscript, reads it once or twice, then delivers feedback in a single packet. The relationship is mostly transactional—you get input once, without much opportunity for questions and problem-solving.
Think of it this way: a book coach is like having a writing mentor sitting beside you, helping you solve problems as they arise. An editor is like a quality check before your book goes out into the world. Both are valuable, but they serve different stages of your creative process.
How book coaching transforms your writing mindset
Working with a book coach changes how you see your own abilities. Confidence grows—not just because someone says “good job,” but because you begin recognizing your strengths and tracking real progress.
Common mindset shifts Jennifer sees:
Growing confidence: Knowing what you already do well while improving in new areas creates momentum that helps you keep going, even when writing gets challenging.
Navigating plateaus: It’s normal to doubt yourself after a leap in skill, especially when writing your second or third book. With every new level of knowledge comes increased awareness of how much more there is to learn.
Managing your inner editor: As your expertise grows, so does that internal voice wanting every sentence perfect. Jennifer suggests “putting the editor in a box” while drafting—reminding yourself that every first draft needs at least some revision. You’ll have to make changes later, no matter what.
Finding your process: Some writers need detailed outlines. Others find outlines restrictive and prefer letting characters guide the journey. Jennifer works with both types, shaping her coaching to match what works best for each individual writer.
There’s no one right way to write a romance novel. The key is discovering what helps you finish books—and having a coach who supports your natural instincts rather than forcing you into someone else’s system.
Keeping romance fresh while meeting reader expectations
One of the biggest challenges romance writers face is balancing what readers expect with creating something that feels original. Readers pick up romance for a promise—happily ever after, emotional journeys, satisfying character growth—but they also want something that feels fresh and surprising. Jennifer explains that the magic lies within your characters.
What keeps romance feeling fresh:
- Developing characters into deeply personal, unique individuals
- Understanding what motivates them. What do they want in life and what prevents them from having it?
- Digging into their specific backgrounds, fears, and emotional wounds
- How these particular people navigate their journey to love
Even if two stories share similar plot outlines, distinct characters create entirely different reading experiences.
Getting unstuck by returning to character motivation
Most story blocks stem from the same source: your character loses their way. When writers come to Jennifer feeling stuck, her first question focuses on character goals and motivations.
If your character seems to stall or scenes fall flat, ask:
- What does my character want in this specific moment?
- Why do they want it?
- What are they afraid of?
Scenes often grind to a halt when we try forcing characters to act against their nature or desires. When writers trace their block back to character motivation, the story typically starts moving again.
Even a single conversation or coaching call focused on these questions can unlock your next scene, deepen emotional arcs, or untangle messy plot complications.
Handling revisions without overwhelm
Many authors dread opening developmental edits—so much red ink, so many comments. The result? Manuscripts get “drawered,” left untouched, sometimes forever.
Jennifer avoids overwhelming her clients by using a layered editing approach:
- Start with big picture issues like plot structure and character arcs
- Move to scene-level concerns like pacing and dialogue
- Address line-level details like word choice and flow
This method keeps feedback manageable and helps you see real progress instead of feeling lost in a storm of corrections. The personal support and regular check-ins also make it harder to abandon your manuscript—there’s always a clear next step, and a coach in your corner.
When book coaching makes the most sense
Struggling with a tricky scene? Unsure if your plot twists land effectively? Feeling blocked before finishing your draft? These are all excellent reasons to consider book coaching.
Book coaching fits especially well when:
- You want brainstorming help to get past plot or character snags
- Outline feedback could save you significant rewrite time
- Regular support keeps you accountable and less isolated
- You need either quick clarification on next steps or deeper relationship throughout your entire project
Jennifer offers flexible packages because she understands that different writers need different levels of support. Some authors want regular meetings throughout their writing process; others just need one or two sessions spaced weeks or months apart. This flexibility means coaching can fit your life and your project’s specific needs.
A good coach listens, adapts, and helps you find what works best for you instead of forcing a rigid system that might not match your creative process or life circumstances.
Whether you’re indie or traditional doesn’t change good storytelling
Worried that your publishing goals might change the kind of feedback you receive? Jennifer coaches both indie and traditionally published authors, and her bottom line is simple: story is story.
Some differences do exist. Traditional publishers might shy away from very niche tropes or experimental formats because they want books with broad reader appeal. Indie authors have more freedom to explore trends or niche tropes, though their potential audience might be smaller.
Jennifer’s advice stays story-focused regardless of your publishing path. If your choices might limit your audience—for example, using controversial tropes—she’ll let you know the potential impact, but won’t tell you not to follow your creative vision. Instead, she’ll help you weigh those choices against your specific goals.
Ready to explore book coaching?
If you think book coaching might help you finish, polish, or simply enjoy writing your romance novel more, you’ll find Jennifer at jenniferlarkin.com. Her coaching is genuinely flexible: whether you need one call to work through a plot knot or chapter-by-chapter feedback, she’ll match her support to your needs, your process, and your goals.
Is Jennifer right for you?
Jennifer might be perfect for you if:
- You want ongoing support during your writing process, not just feedback after you’re done
- You’re looking for someone who understands romance genre expectations and can help you meet them authentically
- You value collaborative brainstorming over rigid systems
- You want to understand story structure and character development at a deeper level
- You’re seeking accountability and encouragement to help you actually finish your book
- You prefer flexible support that adapts to your life and writing style
She might not be the right fit if:
- You’re looking for someone to fix grammar and punctuation (that’s copyediting, not coaching)
- You prefer working completely independently without ongoing check-ins
- You want someone to tell you exactly what to write rather than helping you discover your own story
- You’re not open to feedback about big-picture story elements
Your story deserves expert support
Book coaching isn’t just editing—it’s encouragement, expertise, and partnership from draft to finish. If you’re craving feedback that helps you make meaningful progress, want to tackle challenging scenes with confidence, or simply want a knowledgeable reader in your corner, working with a book coach like Jennifer could transform your entire writing experience.
In romance, this kind of support means your stories will honor the genre’s heart while feeling fresh, authentic, and uniquely yours. Jennifer is here to help you get your words on the page with skill and confidence.