Meet Marina Crouse | Writer, Editor, and Writing Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Crouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve dreamed of being my own boss for a long time but never really thought it was possible for me…then I lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic and couldn’t fathom finding a new job in editing and writing at the start of such an unknown time. So, instead of job hunting immediately, I freelanced and wrote a novel and in the process I realized how much I loved helping other writers, so I fast-forwarded my dream and made it into a reality. I started coaching other writers late 2020, and launched my business as a writing coach in January 2021. And I’ve never looked back!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Really, I became the writing coach I wished I had had when I was first beginning my writing journey. Writing is such a solo-sport, and the solitary endeavor can feel so defeating because so much doubt can come with creative work. We try so hard to measure creativity and its worth but it is impossible. My mission is to help everyone tell their story in their own words, to help them become the writer they always wished they could be, and take the pressure off of any creative pursuit. Anyone can be a writer, all they have to do is write.

I’m most proud of watching my clients commit to a project and then show up for themselves over and over again. I had one client who began attending my writing sprints with a partially-written novel, and then with the community and accountability she was able to finish it (while running her own creative business during the pandemic!) and she hired me to then edit her manuscript.

Marina Crouse Writes is a community for anyone who wants to find their way back to creativity, to develop a writing practice, or who has a writing goal they’re determined to reach. I believe everyone’s story is worth telling and anyone can be a writer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Right now I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and plan to return to Los Angeles once things open up a bit more. Santa Barbara is known as paradise, a small cozy town nestled between the mountains and the oceans. If you’re visiting for the weekend I’d start you off with coffee from Caje on State Street, and then walk you over to the Courthouse for a tour and a panoramic view of the town. Then, we’d stop for a quick bite at Secret Bao or a mid-afternoon tea and fresh baked cookie from Savoy. You can not skip the wine tasting starting or ending with Margerum (my favorite!) and basically you can walk through the funk zone stopping for sips and window shopping at the artisan shops. Take a walk on the beach, or go hiking in the mountains, and maybe you’ll stop over in Montecito for a celebrity sighting and an amazing scone or cup of coffee with a cookie from The Honor Market.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d have to shout out Monica Lin of makeroombymonica.com. She had been building her business as a professional home organizer for the last few years and had to make a big pivot when the pandemic closed everything. She started coaching online as a Clutter Coach to help people navigate the big emotions that are often attached to items, and why those items are then stored in garages, unable to be parted with but no longer part of the person’s life. She’s kind, tenacious, and so creative. She works hard to help those around her embrace their space so that it serves them emotionally and physically. I’m proud of her and inspired by her every day.

Website: www.marinacrousewrites.com

Instagram: marinacrousewrites

Linkedin: www.linkedin/in/marinacrouse

Facebook: facebook.com/marinacrousewrites

Other: You can reach me at marina@marinacrousewrites.com