Introducing: Writing Coach Britt Smith
Since coaching is all about relationships, I’ve written this bio as letters to you. Enjoy!
~ Chris
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Hello you,
Here you are reading Britt’s bio and here I am wondering where to begin. Britt arrived on my landscape a couple years ago like a flickering Firefly, leaving little notes here and there on our Facebook wall. I noticed her right away, this girl in the red beret who said the nicest, smartest things.
Time passed and then I ran a contest for a free spot in the retreat, Summer Sanctuary. I asked people what they would write if they had a weekend with no distractions. I got a lot of wonderful replies but Britt’s wiped the horizon clear. She wrote an incredibly touching page about her struggle in writing about the death of her father. It took my breath away—her raw honesty spoke exactly to what Firefly was about. She wrote, “what I need is a little bit of quiet time and a good dose of courage.” She even included a tiny story called, “His bellybutton was a bottomless pit”. The contest was over.
Britt was amazing at the workshop; dedicated, enthusiastic, and uncommonly transparent about her process. And her writing—goodness—it lodged into my chest and stayed there. After the workshop, she did more Firefly programs and soon her hum of presence—authentic, honest, ready, supportive, deep—became something I never wanted to run a group without.
When it came time to think about who would excel as a Firefly Writing Coach, Britt was at the top of my list. She clearly understood and lived the philosophy of Firefly already and she had an intense dedication to the written word. Britt writes every day, even when it means throwing her coat on over her PJ’s to get to a coffee shop and knuckle down. She actively works on sending work to contests and publications and she has participated in writing programs all over the globe. She has written 185 short stories about objects she has found for her blog Tire Swing Stories and she survived Broken Pencil Magazine’s Indie Writers Deathmatch where the public is invited to “mudsling” at writers of short stories.
Perhaps even more importantly, Britt has a brilliant gift for making warm and meaningful personal connections—a skill at the core of a great coach.
From the very beginning of our conversations about joining the team at Firefly, I knew I’d struck gold. We sat near the front window of a coffee shop on the Danforth and she told me about her work as a bereavement counselor, about how she walks people through the process of creating a new life after the loss of their loved one. We talked about all the ways our lives can call on us to be creative, and how important it is to listen to that calling.
In other parts of her life, Britt sells organic cheese and makes gourmet popcorn. She has a degree in film production from York University and she’s studying to become a Celebrant, which will let her officiate weddings, funerals, and other life transitions. Throughout, you’ll often find her writing—on the subway, in check-out lines, before bed, and as soon as she wakes up.
Britt is a wonderful addition to the Firefly team. I’m thrilled to have her on board, shining her light for all of you.
Still curious?
You can learn lots more about Britt on her website.
What clients are saying:
 | Britt has a remarkable talent. She helped me identify what kind of writer I am, and where I would like to make changes in my creative life. She helped me make a very clear, very fun, and very accessible list of goals. And I now know how to take my next steps to continuing with my writing project. Sigh… She’s truly wonderful. Thank you! ~ Erika Bailey Transitions Adviser, University of Toronto |
 | What a treat to have a conversation about my creativity, process and projects with someone who “gets” it and is motivated to help me come to an understanding with myself about how I can move forward! Britt is a coach who really listens to an artist’s needs and offers keen reflections that help put challenges in perspective. I felt inspired and excited to get back to work! ~ Heather Hudson Freelance Writer |
Credit where it’s due:
The three photos of Britt on this page were taken by Jeremiah Hill