Tell your story
Do you have a true story you want to share but don’t know where to start? Whether your goal is a memoir, personal essay, or screenplay, I help you find the dramatic arc, shape the narrative, and bring it to life on the page—ready for readers, producers, or publishers.
I’m a storytelling coach and screenwriter who helps people adapt real-life experiences into powerful narratives for film, television, or publication.
Let's transform your personal stories into entertaining narratives with emotional impact.
I encourage you to become the protagonist of your own storytelling!
If self-doubt is louder than your creative voice & claiming a genre overwhelms your creative vision, let’s explore why it’s vital to write & share these stories now.
Untold stories take up space in our minds, while we figure out how best to tell them. Whether you want to unpack a mysterious chapter in your family history, research your origin story, or examine a long-held memory of a life changing event, ask yourself…
How can my unique voice set the process of storytelling in motion?
I've always been inspired by stories of pivotal moments and slices of life that illuminate the human condition and define who we are. Often, these are stories that have lived with us for ages.
No matter what the story is, it needs to be told.
Compelling personal content also legitimizes your business or brand and deepens the connection between your clients and the essence of what you do—and why you do it.
As a storytelling coach, I can help you refine and clarify your personal narrative for various platforms, ensuring that…
Your story resonates clearly and powerfully with your audience.
I can also help you revise and update existing content to ensure its precision and relevance in today’s dynamic landscape.
The key is to be intentional about who you are speaking to – and why - and telling your story accordingly, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
With some thoughtful preparation, we will…
Make your stories more impactful and meaningful for the specific people you want to reach.
Tell your story
"Finding the right developmental editor is critical. Not only did Michelle believe in my story, she was willing to change how she worked. As a deaf writer, I needed a way of communicating beyond traditional methods. Michelle was eager to bring out my voice with full validation and support. She continues walking alongside me to ensure my memoir stands exactly as it should."
- Anikó Samu Kuschatka, Author Fallen On Deaf Ears
"I’m filled with so much gratitude for this amazing person.
"I nearly gave up on my memoir after disappointing experiences with other coaches. Michelle’s feedback and guided structure gave me the momentum I needed to see it through."
- Laurie Koszuta, Freelance Writer, Author and Journalist
"I finally found the right mentor for my memoir.
The goal for my business proposal was to pull at the heart strings of investors. They see tons of sterile decks asking for support, and I wanted to put myself on paper, as if they were having a conversation with me. Michelle read an early draft in a Strategy Session and pointed out relevant details that could be expanded, as well as areas that needed research and data as back-up. She also considered how the text would work in a visual layout."
- Ras Langford Johnson, Entrepreneur
"My business proposal was much stronger after just one consultation with Michelle.
Michelle not only became interested in the story, but was very passionate and personally invested in it. You could tell that she did thorough research before even having each meeting. She took incredible notes, jotted down a slew of great anecdotes, asked good questions. Michelle is always so detail oriented. She is meticulous about the sequence of events and how important each is to the story. I would highly recommend Michelle for any “based on a true story” film or TV project.
- Grace Koo, Producer
"I immediately loved her personality... she was professional, enthusiastic, a great listener, and had a good sense of humor.
Whether it’s a personal essay in first or final draft, a pitch or book proposal, Michelle’s incisive questions and detailed comments guide and strengthen my work toward acceptance in literary magazines, newspapers, and book publication. Michelle helps me clarify my ideas and write the story in an artful way. She is not only an extraordinary writing coach but also a savvy marketer with her “ear to the ground” for publication opportunities. I highly recommend Michelle’s services."
- Carole Duff, Author of Wisdom Builds Her House
"She is not only an extraordinary writing coach but also a savvy marketer
Besides looking at my artist statement, she helped me polish my writing sample by posing a simple question: What if you cut this down by one third, and made it into a love story? This gave me clarity as to where the heat was in my piece and made revising fun—as well as effective. I not only got into the workshops, but the essay was published soon after."
- Flávia Monteiro, Writer
"Michelle helped me fine tune applications for two writing workshops, and I got into both.
Coaching Services
Strategy Session
you've got an idea!
Unlock the potential of your idea with a personalized 75-minute Zoom session and Golden Notes™.
Perfect for:
· Pitching an article, business, or product
· Website SEO content & brand ideation
· Film/TV true story adaptation assessment
· Essays for college & workshop applications
· Personalized prompts for creative writing
· Project development consultation
Get the details
Project Development
you want to go deeper!
Series of 3 personalized 75-minute Zoom sessions with Golden Notes™.
Perfect for:
· Developing larger projects with various strategy phases
· Editorial development for longer essays and memoir chapters
· Ongoing coaching, career development, and accountability for writers of creative nonfiction and memoir.
Get the details
Pitch Decks
you're ready to pitch!
Pitch Decks delivers researched, structured, and persuasive text prepared to industry specs ready for handoff to designers, collaborators, or clients before you share with producers, funders, or executives.
Perfect for:
Film, TV, or commercial treatments
· Startup and investor pitch decks
· Materials for production, development, or acquisitions
Get the details
Upcoming Workshops
WEBINAR | Blurb Clinic: The 150 Words That Hook Agents, Editors, and Readers
May 27 @ 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT
Whether you call it “jacket copy,” an “extended pitch” or the meat of your query, your book’s blurb is critical. This short piece of persuasive copy determines whether someone reads on, requests the manuscript, or buys the book. Just 150 words do a lot of heavy lifting: positioning your book in the market, introducing your protagonist and stakes, and making a promise that reading will be worth the commitment.
Agents are looking for the blurb in your query letter, editors are looking for the blurb in your book proposal. And most importantly, your readers are looking to be fulfilled by the blurb’s promise. They want to read your book; give them every chance to be excited. This session shows you how to make those 150 words count.
Get the details
meet your writing coach
Hey, I'm Michelle.
I'm a narrative writer dedicated to storytelling in the creative nonfiction & memoir landscape. My background is in visual & performing arts - photography, film, and theater - which led to a career as a 'based on a true story' screenwriter.
I have a master’s degree in film from New York University and a diploma in Advanced Creative Writing Nonfiction from Cambridge University. After many years in entertainment and advertising, I’m also skilled in pitching, character development, dialogue, story structure, and world building.
I love helping people of all ages and backgrounds tell their stories, and I bring a passion for uncovering human truths to the collaboration. As your writing coach, I can help you identify a strong narrative arc from factual material and incorporate additional research to transform facts into a compelling, emotional story with impact.
book a discovery call
Are you looking for...
→ A longer-term development coach for large narrative and research-based projects like essay collections, narrative nonfiction, blog or TV series?
→ An experienced screenwriter who specializes in "based on true stories" and memoir adaptations?
→ A trusted listener and thoughtful interrogator to release buried or hidden stories to write?
→ An accountable champion of your unique story?
let's get started
→ A tailored, actionable strategy to take your Business Proposal, Grant or College Application, Brand Development, E-mail Marketing Content & Brand Stories, Print, Radio, Website or Social Media Content to the next level?
→ An achievable approach to adapting a memoir or true story into dramatic forms for Film & TV?
→ Professional storytelling that turns your ideas into industry-ready pitch decks, treatments, and proposals?
Read My Work
portfolio
Michigan: A Divorce Story
Read Now →
Literary essay
Longridge Review
Barnhill Prize Finalist
Alcachofa
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Flash Nonfiction
Under the Gum Tree Feature
My Aunt Was Found Dead In Her Home. My Search To Find Out Why Led Me To A Tragic Truth.
Read Now →
personal essay
Featured in HuffPost Personal
Newsletter, Substack, Podcast:
Read, Write, Listen
Sign up for my monthly newsletter to hear about freebies, new services, words of inspiration, select film & writing-related deadlines, and prompts. Subscribe to the TPYL Substack (free) for access to 52 archived writing prompts. Share a true personal story in 200-words or less in the comments section. Listen to Podcast episodes that cover everything from SEO to college essay applications and memoir to film adaptations.
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