BOLT CUTTERS SANCTUARY COACHING

Welcome!

Are you tired of not making progress on your manuscript—you promised yourself you’d write every day, but now it’s been six weeks since you touched your works? Were you in the writing flow but then you hit a major block that neither strong coffee nor drugs will fix?

Have you been wanting to write a book, but don’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve started, but don’t know how to keep momentum? Or perhaps, you have momentum, but don’t know how to finish your book?

Do you suffer from “imposter syndrome?” Ever feel like a fake writer, like “Who would want to read this stuff”? Would you like to banish white supremacy from your head and heart space?

Did you receive the award or prize of your dreams, get a cherished piece published in a fancy journal, or win a spot in a coveted residency—and feel like you don’t deserve it?

Would you like to restore or introduce sensuality and eroticism into your writing?

Want some support?

What is sanctuary coaching?

Sanctuary coaching focuses on you—the person—and your environment. We will spend time on topics such as:

preparing your writing/dreaming/work space
celebrating your successes and your “failures”
combatting imposter syndrome by gathering your receipts
bringing all five senses into your writing practice

Sanctuary coaching gets at the root of why, for example, you may avoid writing certain parts of your book, why you’re procrastinating, or how you got stuck in that satisfying research rabbit hole and can’t get out. We will not focus on the writing itself—on the story, skills, or craft. Instead, we will talk about what’s holding you back from launching, gathering momentum, and embodying your calling as a writer. We will discover together what you can do to move forward. This is not just about hitting your daily word. It’s about making your writer self whole and unstoppable.

I have coached

writers who are formerly incarcerated, jailed, or detained by ICE or other immigration facilities.
writers in recovery from addiction.
writers who love kink, BDSM, polyamory, Black Joy, and/or Black Excellence.
survivors of MFA programs.

Who am I and why should you come to me for coaching?

Hi, I am Tijanna O. Eaton (Tə-zha-na; she/her), an over-60, Black queer masculine-of-center leatherdyke with a high school diploma and a rap sheet. I was born and raised in Detroit, moved around as a teenager, and went to Oregon State University. As per the warnings from the old ABC Afterschool Specials, I got pregnant and dropped out of college at 20, landed in the Bay Area in 1985, and spent 30 years living in San Francisco.

I spent three years living literally on the streets of San Francisco as a homeless drug addict.

I was deeply addicted to heroin, crack, cocaine, and alcohol. I went through five or six detox programs, acquired a grocery list of STIs, OD’d twice, and bypassed the waiting room at San Francisco General Hospital three times.

I was arrested 12 times between 1991 and 1994 for the usual offenses—possession of drugs and paraphernalia, prostitution, weapons, theft, and trespassing. One time I returned to jail so fast, I got my same bunk. You can find my mug shot on my home page.

I finally got clean in residential treatment in 1994. I found kink in 1997, which for me is a spiritual as well as a visceral practice. I worked for a Fortune 100 biotech for over 25 years and was instrumental in helping the company move from paper to electronic submissions as well as keeping up with the requirements of health authorities around the world. Ten years ago I moved to Oakland where I live with my large driveway, unruly backyard, and playspace equipment.

I said all that to say, I’ve had a lot of different kinds of experiences in life and bring my full background into my coaching practice. Additionally, I am trained in the Unicorn Authors Sanctuary Coaching Model. I’ve coached dozens of people about their sanctuary. I have over 25 years of experience as a mentor and Twelve Step sponsor. And I’m an excellent pep talker.

Check out my About page for more receipts.

I don’t offer “tough love” coaching but I will meet you where you’re at, and I will use my training and intuition to ask you questions about things you may not have considered before. Well, maybe just a little tough love. Okay, I will be your Writing Dom if that's what you need.

How to Proceed

Book time with me on Calendly.
I will confirm by email.
Fill out the coaching questionnaire least 48 hours in advance.
Send your payment by Venmo (@Tijanna-Eaton); sessions are $100 to $150 sliding scale.
We will talk about what you put on the questionnaire or anything else you’d like.

I look forward to working with you!