Coaching for young writers.
→ The college essay
→ High school/college writing assignments
→ Personal creative projects
I guide students toward a state of freedom and openness, making writing a joyful process of harnessing what’s inside.
→ In person in Central Los Angeles
→ On Zoom everywhere
I work with
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Applicants
I have advised on dozens of successful applications to college, graduate school, Fulbright & Marshall fellowships, and arts grants.
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Students
My high school aged students attend private, charter, and public schools in Los Angeles, including:
Harvard-Westlake • LACHSA • Crossroads • Brentwood
Palisades Charter • Marlborough • Campbell Hall
Buckley • LACES • Loyola • San Marino High
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Artists
Writers, filmmakers, playwrights, poets - these are my clients & my people. Beyond giving criticism, I seek to create a dialog. I want them to understand their own work. I want their inspiration to never run dry.
What I do
Whether I’m working with a high school freshman or a professional screenwriter, I push for clarity in their work. On an essay, this means organization and sharpening of ideas. In artistic pursuits, it may mean zeroing in on the source of inspiration and establishing rules for the chaos. Depending on the task, I draw from both classical formal exercises and conversation-based reflections and brainstorms.
I am a trainer and coach - not an “influencer”. Directing a student to recreate my style would be fruitless and no fun. My goal is for the student/client to sound more clearly and vividly like themself. I want to help them build skills they can carry forward without me, and processes that instill total confidence.
The individual voice
I have yet to encounter a student who doesn’t carry an inspired point of view waiting to be unleashed. Sometimes the inspiration is right on the surface; other times it’s buried deep. In the effort to access their voice, I keep judgment entirely out of my practice. The authentic individual is the point from which our work must begin.
Former students now attend
Client testimonials
“Paul and I constantly reevaluated my goals as a writer and analyzed the steps I needed to take to improve. My own personality and everyday experiences played a part in the essays I produced, and they felt more like personal reflections than assignments. Frankly, I loved my essays by the time I was finished with them all, and I was armed with the tools to be able to apply to competitive colleges while also staying true to myself.”
— Aaron, Harvard-Westlake class of 2022, Michigan 2026
“Before working with Paul, it was hard to stay interested in my ideas, primarily because I didn’t have the skill set to articulate them. The most important thing that I’ve gained while working with him is an appreciation for the process. He challenges me to dig deep into my ideas, making essay writing a more personal and stimulating experience. It’s become something I really enjoy.”
— Oona, Marlborough School class of 2024
“Paul is a wizard, and did an amazing job getting our son prepared. We are extremely thankful.”
— Matt, father of Village School student
“Paul is thoughtful and critical about what is in front of him, while also being a passionate advocate for you and your work. I am always eager to get his eyes on whatever I'm working on because he understands, intuitively, how to make a piece of writing sharper, more focused, and more honest. I leave our sessions energized and ready to dive back into my work.”
— Neal Kelley, writer and filmmaker, Twnshp Productions
“Paul teaches and explains, rather than simply correcting the work. He takes the time to help organize students’ writing, so they are confident in assignments and during tests. Both of my daughters love working with him. I can't say enough!”
— Malisa, mother of USC & Buckley students
“Paul was a primary editor on my successful application to the Fulbright Spain program. His rigorous and thorough critique helped transform my stuffy, treatise-like drafts into powerful narratives that reflected the fullness of my experience and aspirations. He made himself available at every stage of the application and was present through several iterations of edits, challenging me each time to broaden my scope while writing more specifically, directly, and from my personal voice. It was a great boon to receive his support, and I recommend his services with enthusiasm!”
— Kelsey, 2018 Fulbright recipient
“During my time with Paul, writing evolved from a daunting and unfortunate task that I dreaded to a puzzle that I was excited to dissect. He makes his goals unique to the student. He understood what I needed help with, and we would spend time diving into that area of weakness in order to make me feel as confident as possible.”
— Thea, Washington University class of 2026
“Over the years, I've been lucky to be on the receiving end of Paul's feedback, which has always been incalculably beneficial. Where some may give notes on the surface-level elements of the piece, Paul digs in. And beyond voicing a critique, he creates a dialogue around said critique, challenging writers to ask the questions necessary to make the work better. In short, he not only elevates the work, but the person doing the work. And through it all, he exemplifies humility, thoughtfulness and empathy. If you have the chance to work with him, jump at the opportunity!”
— Daniel Weingarten, TV writer, Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion (Disney+)
“When our son started with Paul several years ago, he had a disorganized way of approaching work. He felt overwhelmed and out of control, and this was reflected in grades that zigzagged all over the place. Over the past couple of years with Paul’s support he is so much more confident and focused, and his grades reflect that.”
— Fanae, mother of Palisades Charter student
Approach/ Questions
For every task, I insist on starting with the small.
In order for the student to analyze a text, they must start with a single quote - or even word - not a novel. In order to write something about him/herself, they must focus on an object, not a lifetime. Essential truths exist in the tiniest cells of a story. This is why we start each paper or project with specific questions, and why the basic unit of my teaching is the index card - not the textbook.
Here are a few of the questions we use to generate ideas. They’ve never failed!
For the College Essay
What are 12 objects that represent you? That reflect some essential part of you, or a place, or a loved one? Write them down in a list.
For an essay about a book, poem, etc.
Find 1 electrifying quote within the piece. Write it in the middle of a white piece of paper. Mark any words, repetition, metaphors/literary devices that impact you.
For a writing about a film
In a single word, tell me what this film is about. We’ll discuss, then repeat the exercise with another word.
For writing an original story, film, novel, etc.
What are the first instinctive images that appear in your mind when you think about this project? Think of at least 5, and write each on its own index card.
About me
I am a writer and teacher based in West Hollywood. I have worked as a writing coach and tutor to students at every private high school and many public high schools in LA. As a test prep tutor I have coached students to perfect scores on the ACT, and helped bring others significantly up to meet their potential.
I studied philosophy at the University of Michigan, where I obsessively wrote original theater pieces. I then earned a Fulbright research scholarship and spent a year in Switzerland, before completing my training at École LASSAAD in Brussels. My experience at LASSAAD changed the way I work with others and instilled a love of teaching.
I am also a filmmaker. I write and direct projects as founder of the production company EITHER/OR.
