What is a personal trainer for writers?
A personal trainer for writers is a trainer of the mind. Their role is to assist you in developing mental strength, knowledge and confidence in the area of literacy and publishing. Like personal trainers in other industries, they help you set goals, keep on track and achieve.
How does a personal trainer differ from a mentor?
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Mentoring is a large part of the role of a personal trainer for writing but a personal trainer takes mentoring to the next level.
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Mentoring is a relationship between two colleagues, in which the more experienced uses their knowledge and understanding of the industry to support the development of the other colleague. The main objective of a mentor is motivation. A personal trainer not only motivates but teaches.
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A personal trainer is a person who is qualified and recognised as an expert in the field. A mentor has experience but does not necessarily have qualifications.
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Mentoring is an informal arrangement based on discussion. Personal training involves a more structured meeting which is set on a regular basis. The agenda is set with the client based on achieving specific goals.
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Personal training revolves around specific personal development. An initial assessment is done on the client's strengths and weaknesses as a writer with training being built around these. Specific tasks are set for the client to complete between meetings, teaching writing techniques and skills.
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A personal trainer can work side by side with a writer on their manuscript if required. They provide learning and direction on all aspects of writing from the initial development of the idea through to publishing and on to marketing.
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The role of a personal trainer for writers is to focus on finding the best way for their client to learn particular skills. Learning is different for each individual. A personal trainer gets to know their client, working with them as an individual.
Leanne Chapman - Psychologist, Writer.
Jennifer is an awesome support for writers. She is down to earth and approachable and very knowledgeable about the industry. I love attending her monthly groups and would recommend her to any aspiring writer.
Stef Miraglia - author.
I have worked with Jennifer on my book. Taking it from manuscript to a published book has been a challenge that I would not have been able to take on without Jennifer's help. She is a great editor and a nice person too. I have enjoyed working with Jennifer and recommend her services highly.
Roz Potgieter - author.
It’s relatively easy to put your thoughts to paper and transform them into a story. The difficult part as an aspiring author, is to find the right person to turn your dream into a reality. Jennifer has been an absolute Godsend, restoring my faith in people in this industry. She is so refreshing to work with. Her guidance, honesty and ability is calming and inspiring. Her trust in new authors and belief in their writing, gives them the confidence to keep going. She is so patient and knowledgeable, her passion shines through. I’m truly honoured to be working so closely with her and know that her incredible support will encourage me to keep writing.
Books by Jennifer Althaus
click books in menu to see more.
Bored! Bored! Bored!
Alex was bored!
His sister Samantha was doing her homework, his mother was typing on the computer and his dad was in the shed. He couldn't play with his baby sister Celeste, she had gone to sleep.
Bored! Bored! Bored!
Alex finds a pink pebble that he places in his box of special things.
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What magic ingredient does the pink pebble hold that breaks Alex's boredom?
A Journey of Love
A mothers memoir
Jennifer Althaus watched helplessly as her daughter, Celeste, battled with confusion and daily anxiety. Exhausted and at her wits’ end, Jennifer sought and found an unconventional yet profoundly practical therapy that would change all their lives.
Having a child with Autism is something no parent anticipates yet the number of children diagnosed with Autism in Australia and around the world is on the rise. With answers to the cause of Autism still seeming distant, struggling families seek all the help they can get.
For Jennifer’s family, this help came in the unlikely form of an ex-racing Greyhound named Minnie.
A Journey of Love is an uplifting and powerful memoir that speaks of the pain and heartache associated with parenting a child with autism while celebrating the love, hope and achievement of adopting an ex-racing Greyhound and training her as an assistance dog.
This delightful story chronicles the loving connection between a severely anxious girl with autism and her dog. Where medication and conventional behaviour management strategies failed, this devoted greyhound succeeds in transforming her life.
Dr Tony Attwood
Author, Asperger's Syndrome, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Griffith University, Queensland.
