Testimonials

It is important to me to learn how my articles, in-person and online instruction, coaching and editing services have helped writers achieve their writing goals. Client and student testimonials let me know I’m on track. In addition to this sampling, click here to read more testimonials about the value of my writing help: Articles, Writer’s Conference, Workshops, Online Classes & One-on-Ones.

  • “My blog, and now my books, grew from your class. You and the students encouraged me in my short pieces and helped me find my voice. I am eternally, deeply, humbly grateful. Your teachings have always been the North Star.” ~ Susan Luzader
  • “You have given me the courage to take my writing seriously. Your excellent editing has shown me the way forward.” ~ Suzy Beal
  • “Yours is the most helpful essay writing class I’ve taken, and I’ve taken several.” ~ Lizbeth Gregory
  • “You give all of us more than 100%. I am privileged to have you as my teacher and mentor.” ~ Carol Blatter
  • “We did it with wonderful inspiration from Sheila. Each day I was excited to see what was coming from Sheila and all of you. Sheila brought me out of the Covid fog where I was languishing.”  ~ Marion Karian
  • “Most of all, I’m very appreciative, Sheila, of the curriculum you designed, the care you took with our writing and the encouragement and enthusiasm you provided.” ~ Joan Weber
  • “Thanks so much for your wise and thoughtful trimming. You are amazing. I imagine others have told you the same thing over the years. We writers have trouble with letting go of those phrases we are wedded to and, yet, less is more, and a good editor can trim redundancy much easier than the writer.” ~ Nyla Dartt
  • “I don’t know if you realize how much you have given me, or made possible for me. Certainly, I’m not building a resume at this stage in life, but I am increasingly loving what I’m doing or attempting to do and spending more and more time in my re-invented writing life…” ~ Nancy Levinson
  • “Thank you, Sheila for holding and respecting our vulnerabilities, while helping us shape essays that express what we really want to express” ~ Jan Henrikson
  • “Thank you for gently, but firmly guiding me in expanding and honing my writing. I look forward to more in the future.” ~ Judy Miller
  • “Sheila’s exercises, as opposed to others, seem to pull the best writing out of me. I appreciate Sheila’s kindness yet helpfulness in responding to my writings.”
    ~ Elizabeth Marie Wampler
  • “I had the opportunity to take two of Sheila’s classes on line this past winter, which were life changing for me!  Great information, honest feedback, and confidence building! I hope to keep growing through this new experience.” ~ Judy Kvinslan
  • “Thanks for your guidance through this course. I cannot believe we are at the end. I feel I have grown as a writer from reading the other essays and the variety of comments. It’s a course I will take again.”
    ~ Sue LeBreton
  • “…this is the 1st class, the 1st place ever, that I’ve experienced the deep power of editing!” ~ Lauren Ross
  • “I have taken several online courses with relatively famous women writers, and you have been the most giving and involved with genuine feedback and follow-through.  I thank you for that. I have learned from reading your remarks to others and the assignments have been thought-provoking and challenging–just the right mix for an aspiring writer.” ~ Lori Talarico
  • I have been working with Sheila for 10 years. I will say this: she is the best writing instructor I’ve ever had and I’ve been studying writing with many different instructors for about 45 years. She never makes you feel as if you have failed with a writing and should just give up. She gives you positive encouraging feedback with specific concrete suggestions for improvement and extension. I think everyone should give her classes a try.” ~ Elizabeth Marie Wampler
  • “Taking this class not only gave me a safe container to hold and work with my grief, but helped to jumpstart  my writing again. It was a pleasure to work with each of my classmates, and I enjoyed the process of sharing our work.” ~ April Doherty
  • “I’m sooo excited. Thanks to you and your smarts and response. I love what you have done. Your work on my one section is a gift as you are indeed a gift. I have carefully read and read your revision and with increasing clarity see what you have done; it works much better for certain and has set me on a “new and improved” start.” ~ Nancy Levinson
  • “… your writing guidance is priceless!” ~ Edith O’Nuallain
  • “Thank you all so much for reading and providing feedback to me, and for encouraging me to open that vein! Sheila, this has by far been the best writing class I have ever taken as far as the process (velcro and feelings, curiosities) and the feedback. You are amazing!” ~ Ruth Ewers
  • “You’re a wonderful memoir teacher — truly, the best I’ve had.” ~ Debby Silverberg
  • “Thank you for all things in this class, Sheila.  It has been a dream come true.” ~ Ann Winfred