You can work on ambitious creative nonfiction projects alone—I’ve done it too.
But having someone there to discuss and sharpen your ideas can vastly improve your creative journey and the success of your project—even if it’s just to get through those moments of doubt or apply the narrative techniques that make your story come alive.
After all, great stories are rarely created in a vacuum.
Each story is unique and each storyteller brings their own viewpoints and talents to telling it—I’d love to help you tap into the power of yours.
Choose from four story coaching & narrative support packages catered to your creative needs—whether you need to define what your story is, want to refine your storytelling, hope to secure funding to develop your story or want to deliver on an ambitious nonfiction project in an elegant and effective way with the dedicated support of an expert guide.
A support package for every story stage
DEFINE your story
Find clarity and focus for your next project
WHEN: You have a great idea for your next project, but…
…you’re not sure where to begin.
…you’re overwhelmed by too many options or too much material.
…you’re daunted by how complex or elusive it feels.
…you struggle to find the right angle.
…you’d like constructive advice on how to move forward.
DEFINE might be for you.
REFINE your story
Overcome narrative hurdles and elevate your drafts
WHEN: You’re already (well) under way with your story, but…
…you struggle to find the right voice or structure.
…it isn’t flowing or landing as you’d hoped.
….you want to take your draft to the next level.
REFINE might be for you.
DEVELOP your story
Turn your vision into a funding-ready proposal
WHEN: You’re preparing a grant or funding application and want to…
….convincingly highlight what makes your story unique and worth sharing.
… translate your creative vision to a grant or funding application format.
…structure your proposal or rework a turned-down application into a new version that changes minds.
DEVELOP might be for you.
DELIVER your story
Go the length of your creative journey with a trusted guide
WHEN: You’ve secured funding, a book deal or other support, but…
…you’re daunted by the scale or complexity of your project.
…you don’t want to navigate the entire process alone.
…you’d value consistent, expert feedback along the way.
…you want a trusted partner to help you stay motivated, focused, inspired and on track.
DELIVER might be for you.
WHY WORK WITH ME?
I love creative nonfiction, which is why I’ve spent the last decade immersed in it—promoting it, learning it, doing it, teaching it.
My interest in telling complex human stories has taken me all over the world—from Rohingya refugee camps in Nepal to paramilitary strongholds in Belfast to family picnics for adopted embryos in Texas—and has seen my work published with places like De Correspondent, BBC Radio, The New York Times and The Guardian US.
In 2021, I had the privilege of attending the MFA Literary Reportage program at New York University with a Fulbright grant to truly hone the craft.
I learned from the best—what works, what doesn’t, and what makes creative nonfiction so special.
A well-made nonfiction essay / article / documentary / podcast / multimedia production can truly move people. It transforms journalistic research into something that doesn’t just engage audiences intellectually, but emotionally as well. Applying techniques from fiction writing and cinematic storytelling brings true stories alive.
But creating vivid scenes and story arcs, fleshing out characters and tying together narrative threads, finding the details that set the stage or offer surprise, and bringing it all together in a way that makes sense, is always a challenge—a challenge I love, but a challenge nonetheless.
You don’t have to face that challenge alone.
If you’re daunted by the prospect of realizing your own creative nonfiction project or would simply like a committed mentor to guide you through part of or the entire process, I’m here to help.
I also successfully secured over a dozen funding and grant opportunities for my own and others’ creative projects—from turning a pile of loose notes and a random idea into a fully funded international documentary project to getting a yes on a previously turned-down proposal, I’ve done it all.
Feel free to reach out with any questions and make sure to read the experiences of others who have worked with me before!
REVIEWS
” Inge respected my voice and reporting style the entire time. Every edit suggestion not only made sense, but improved my writing and led me to reconsider some of the passages altogether. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.”
Cornelia Holzbauer, Freelance Journalist (The Guardian, Business Insider, Women’s Health)
“Inge helped me transform a complex investigation into a gripping story that people wanted to read until the end. With subtle adjustments, Inge elevated my story, bringing scenes to life, building suspense and pinpointing where the momentum slowed down. All the while, it continued to feel like my story.”
Noah Moeys, Investigative Journalist at Financieel Dagblad
“Many editors can tell you what’s wrong with your work. Inge also shows you what’s right, and then helps you build from there. When I sent her a 4,000-word draft, I knew the opening wasn’t working but couldn’t see the way forward. Inge helped me clarify the core of the piece and discover a stronger entry point that aligned with my idea. Thanks to Inge’s feedback, I was able to improve my article dramatically in just an hour or two.”
Julie Blussé, China Correspondent at De Volkskrant
“Thanks to Inge’s discerning questions and feedback, my story went from a random collection of historical puzzle pieces to a compelling reconstruction that draws readers into the past, as if they’re there to witness the story themselves. Inge taught me to look beyond the facts alone, to integrate sensory details and really do the experience of my historical characters justice.”
Peer van Tetterode, Reporter at Noordhollands Dagblad
“Inge is a dedicated story coach who is able to offer critical input from the very start of your project, helping to sharpen your ideas and create an action plan. Her extensive experience in narrative journalism shines through in her sessions. She is quick to offer practical examples from her own practice—lessons you can learn from and apply to your own story, which is both engaging and inspiring.”
Roos van Riel — Reporter at Het Parool
“With great examples and a thorough knowledge of literary techniques, Inge shows you how to elevate your own writing. What I especially appreciate is that Inge clearly explains how you can apply these techniques yourself. My conversations with her were inspiring and motivating. I highly recommend her coaching for any journalist who wants to deepen their writing skills and learn how to tell a story that captivates readers from beginning to end.“
Ingrid Cobben — Investigative Journalist at De Limburger
“Inge mastered the art of breathing life into texts, to engage the reader both consciously and instinctively—something we have experienced working with her time and again. As a story editor, she challenges you to broaden your horizons and reinvent yourself as a writer. She has an instinctive and keen sense for what you want to put into words and can help translate elusive ideas into solid proposals. Her expertise with stories about societal change and her commitment to human dignity adds a valuable layer to her work.”
Sherman de Jesus — Film director and Founder Memphis Film & Television
“Working with Inge was a real pleasure. She supported me in creating a narrative reconstruction about a violent incident at a queer club in Groningen. I really appreciated how open she was to discussing ideas at any moment. It made the process feel collaborative and safe.
Because my story involved sensitive material and sources who couldn’t be fully identifiable in the piece, it was a challenging balance to strike. Inge helped me find a way to build vivid, authentic character sketches without putting anyone at risk.
I would wholeheartedly recommend working with Inge to anyone looking for a thoughtful, dedicated editor and teacher.”
Nina Folkerts — Freelance Journalist
Inge Oosterhoff 