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 bring more pleasure when your process works 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 fiction book coach and developmental editor helping writers of suspense and speculative fiction.

I help writers understand how to write powerful stories and give them the tools they need 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.

I’m a massive story nerd and have spent over two decades studying the craft. Story Allegiance is my homage to the ‘story first’  principle, making sure that each single elements serves the story and builds towards a powerful payoff.

HOW I WORK

I work on three levels: the story itself, the writing craft, and the 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.

I love stories that move and challenge, that put a crack into our perception and make us return to it long after we’ve finished reading it.

And 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

Here’s what one of my clients said about her decision to hire a coach

Got the fire? I’ll bring the algebra. 

Reach out to tell me more about your story and if it looks like we’re a good fit, I’ll invite you to schedule a discovery call.