Jorge Luis Borges once said that art is fire plus algebra. Fire drives us to tell stories. Algebra makes them work. But each one engages a different part of the brain. So we get stuck, spin in circles, and unknowingly sabotage our own process while trying to fix a problem we can’t quite see.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Writing can be enjoyable, and your process can work with you rather than against you.

All it takes is the courage to try something different.

WHO I AM

Hi, I’m Karmen H. Spiljak. As a book coach and developmental editor for fiction writers, I work at the intersection of story craft and creative process: helping writers understand not just what their story needs, but why, and how to get there.

I’m certified by Author Accelerator, one of the most rigorous book coaching programmes in the world. I’m also an award-winning author and a contributor to Jane Friedman’s blog, one of the most respected resources in publishing. When I’m not coaching, I’m working on my own fiction, which means I know firsthand what it means to shape an idea into a finished draft.

I’ve spent over two decades studying and working with story structure, and it’s become something of a passion. I have a particular love for the architectural bones of a story: how scenes connect, how characters drive plot, how cause and effect build momentum so that the emotional payoff is earned rather than claimed.

I love the puzzle of storytelling, and I bring that excitement to every manuscript I work with.

Story Allegiance is my homage to the ‘story first’  principle. As storytellers, we pledge our allegiance to the story and give it what it needs. That means getting quality, invest in craft development, and do the work that matters.

HOW I WORK

I work on three levels with every writer: the story itself, the craft, and the writing process. Because all three affect each other, and fixing one without attending to the others rarely sticks.

My approach is didactic by nature. I don’t just point at problems, I explain why something isn’t working on a story level, and I show you how to address it in your own pages with concrete examples. I want you to leave every session understanding your story better, not just with a list of things to fix.

One thing I care about deeply is helping you understand your own creative process: how you work best, what gets in your way, and how to use that knowledge to your advantage. Not just on this project, but on every story you write after this one.

THE STORIES I LOVE

My favourite books include Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, George Orwell’s 1984, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic. Stories that get under the skin. Stories where character and theme are inseparable from plot.

Stories that quietly change something in the reader and sometimes crack the darkness with a burst of light.

That’s the kind of story I want to help you write.

ARE WE A GOOD FIT?

We’d work well together if:

• You’re serious about your writing and see it as part of your future
• You’re done letting doubt and fear run the show
• You want honest, constructive feedback that helps you grow as a writer
• You want to work with someone who’s genuinely invested in your story
• You believe stories can change things, quietly or loudly, and want yours to reflect that
• You’re ready to try something different
• You want a framework without formulas or templates
• You’re ready to dig deep and go beyond fixing surface problems

We’re probably not a good fit if:

• Your story promotes hate, cruelty, or bigotry
• You’re looking for compliments rather than growth
• You’re unwilling to revise deeply or explore what your story is really about
• You’re looking for quick fixes or shortcuts
• You want someone else to write the story for you
• You’ve got your heart set on a very specific approach you want to work with

Not sure? Reach out or schedule a free discovery call. We’ll talk about your project and figure out together whether we’re the right match.

Got the fire? I’ll bring the algebra. Let’s build something that lasts.