STORY CONSULTANT

Kathleen (Kat) Dougherty

From the first breath of a story idea to a finished novel in need of direction, pacing or technique, Kat is ready to help you bring your story dreams to fruition. As past president of the Santa Cruz, California chapter of the Romance Writers of America, Kat has worked with both beginning and successfully-published writers on storycrafting, technique, and voice.

A veteran of many workshops, including Donald Maass’ renowned “Writing the Breakout Novel,” Kat has presented fiction sessions at the Pacific Coast Children’s Writers Workshop and led other writing-craft workshops.

Her critiques consistently garner praise:

Susan Brocker, New Zealand author of Brave Bess and the ANZAC Horses (true story), and six other middle-grade novels (HarperCollins NZ) says:

“Kat’s extremely insightful comments on my new outline will help me on my journey.” 

Jackie Pascoe, in full-novel-revision mode, shares:

“One year after the workshop, I’m still incorporating and leveraging all the excellent feedback and direction Kat gave me in her critique on my complete middle-grade novel. I’d been so focused on the logic of my mystery plot, I’d forgotten to focus on the emotional arc of the story—which Kat noted was kind of all over the place.

“Kat’s pointers and ideas sparked a torrent of creative energy in the weeks and months following, and now, as a result, my story is becoming—like a good cake—richer and lighter! And much more powerful. I can honestly say that Kat’s critique has really taken me deep into my story.”

Christy Lynn Fuller, high school teacher, says:

“When I first considered writing a novel, I had only a few ideas on a spreadsheet. I knew what I appreciated as a reader, but I didn’t have the tool set to implement those strategies. Kat helped me formulate the beginning of my novel and identify questions that the story would need to answer. She made me feel that my own questions were those that all beginning novelists ask.

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