"Dr. Stewart helped me revise my graduate application materials. We worked together to create attainable writing goals to finish my application, with plenty of time to spare. The application process is personal and she helped me craft a statement that expressed my individual goals and experiences more confidently. With her coaching, I was able to articulate my ideas more accurately. She took the time to really understand my research, and this helped me clearly structure my argument. I gained confidence in my writing ability, was accepted into the best fitting PhD program for me, and strengthened skills that I can use throughout my career."
Kari L., Doctoral Candidate, 2020
"Under Dr. Stewart’s guidance, I have moved beyond using Homily Aids to creating my own sermons based on personal life experience. Now that I have found my own unique “voice,” I get a lot of positive feedback after Sunday Mass because people love my stories and can identify with what I have to say; I am grateful for having had Dr. Stewart’s expertise as a professional writer and editor in preparing my sermons.
In addition to developing my writing skills, I have gained confidence as a public speaker. Never much of an extrovert, I am now entirely comfortable behind a podium and am moving towards becoming “manuscript free.” Another positive development is that I recently published my sermons in a collection entitled, Deacon Joe’s Musings: A Spiritual Resource for those Shut-In or Locked-Up and their Chaplains. My book has already received a number of important endorsements. Dr. Stewart not only assisted me with the content selection and editing process, but also provided book layout, cover design, photography, marketing and branding for my work.
I am indeed fortunate to have Dr. Stewart assist me in my ministries as Chaplain and Permanent Deacon. The technical assistance she has given me during the past ten years in preparing sermons has been invaluable. And, I attribute much of my success in the areas of technical writing and public speaking to Dr. Stewart."
Deacon Joe McDonnell, Diocese of Joliet
"After finishing the original manuscript of The Third Thaw, I sought the help of a professional writer to critique and polish the manuscript. Fortunately, I found a writing coach and author, Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, who lives and teaches in Chicago. It was a great pleasure to work with Elizabeth in this venture, whose considerable efforts breathed life into the characters."
Karl Hanson, author of The Third Thaw, Wido Publications, 2018
"I am responsible for writing grant proposal summaries and funding recommendations that are submitted to our Board of Directors. During my annual review in 2013, my Executive Director requested I contact a Writing Coach to help further develop my writing. He hoped that by working with a Writing Coach I would learn to identify clarity issues on my own, allowing him to “edit me less.”
I found Elizabeth-Anne through her website and contacted her. We agreed that the best option was to work with documents as I was writing them and because of my location to work together using Google Docs. During each of our sessions, I open my document in Google Docs and share it with Elizabeth-Anne. We can then both view the document and changes ‘live’ as we discuss it over the phone. Together we identify grammar and clarity issues, combine ideas to simplify sentences, select stronger word choices and create stronger transitions between ideas.
As a result of this process, I feel that I am now better able to spot errors and I better understand the errors I am most prone to making so I can avoid them in the first place. Additionally, my Executive Director feels that the coaching has addressed the clarity issues he was concerned about. Working with Elizabeth-Anne has been wonderful. She is very encouraging, professional and friendly."
Angela B., Program Officer
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