Lauren Reynolds

-Book Coach, Developmental Editor, LMFT, Master’s in Clinical Psychology

10 fun facts about me

  1. Police officers handed me free tickets to a Grateful Dead show when I was a teenager loitering in the venue’s parking lot. I thought they were going to arrest me. Instead they introduced me to a fun, freeing, and outrageous lifestyle. The joke was on them.

  2. I ice-climbed a glacier in New Zealand with a pick and crampons. It was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. I learned that other countries have more liberal liability policies - and not in a good way.

  3. I once owned a Yamaha motorcycle but had to sell it when I failed my motorcycle test. I knocked over every single cone during the Serpentine skills test.

  4. I’m a mom to a 16-year-old boy who is brave enough to tell me he loves me in front of his friends. I’m also a mom to an 9-year-old girl who uses the expression “slay girl, slay” to encourage her girlfriends to seize the day.

  5. I’m an 80’s pop culture fanatic. From the band A-Ha to the movie Zapped, I’m obsessed with all things GenX.

  6. I spent three months working on organic farms throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand via the WOOF program (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). Picking kiwis is harder than it looks.

  7. I’ve traveled solo all over the United States while car-camping. I’ve also traveled solo throughout New Zealand, Canada, Tonga, Mexico, and several countries throughout Europe. I encourage other women to do the same - it’s liberating.

  8. I graduated culinary school at the age of 37, after being inspired by the book, Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes…It’s never too late to follow your dreams.

  9. My husband is a second generation metal artist. He designs and builds everything from custom furniture to blacksmith handrails.

  10. I have kept journals from elementary school through adulthood, I hope to burn them before I die and dance wildly around the bonfire.

Why Choose Me?

If you’re looking for a stuffy editor who is so uptight, they make librarians look like Burning Man patrons, I’m probably not the best fit for your goals.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a dash of levity, a heap of support, and an editor who understands the challenges and loneliness of writing- welcome - you have arrived at the right place.

I’m drawn to storytelling for several reasons including escapism, enlightenment, self-discovery, and more. The anticipation of how a story will unfold and the intrigue behind the ‘why’ of character motivations draws me into the narrative. I love watching characters evolve, overcome challenges, and emerge stronger, better versions of themselves.

3 main ingredients for an effective coach & client relationship

1. A supportive environment where clients feel safe to discuss their story ideas, opinions, anxieties, frustrations, and goals free from judgment. An environment that recognizes the individuality of the client and their story, and provides personalized recommendations instead of generalizations.

2. Constructive and detailed feedback with clear and actionable steps. Honest, encouraging, and kind feedback is provided with examples to demonstrate how something is, or is not, working in the story. Recommendations are clearly presented and the writer will understand how to execute changes.

3. A rooted belief that anyone can achieve their dream of becoming a writer if they are willing to work hard, have a wealth of patience, the desire to persevere, and a supportive network of people cheering them on.

Qualifications

  • Certified Book Coach

  • Developmental Editor

  • Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). My coaching style is constructive, honest, encouraging, and kind. My goal is for clients to complete their work with me feeling confident, competent, self-reliant, and motivated to complete their manuscript.

  • Published author of over 80 articles on the Huffington Post. Freelance writer for online mental health platforms.

  • My background in psychology is an asset to helping writers develop realistic characters, with logical motivations, behaviors, and realistic dialogue. For romance writers, I have a wealth of experience working with couples and have a multidimensional understanding of relationship dynamics. For nonfiction writers, my academic background is an asset to helping you write a book to educate, enlighten, and inspire.