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The Best Stories Start Messy
(And So Did Mine)

I created Second Draft Self for people like us—the ones whose stories don’t fit neatly into a narrative arc. The ones still figuring it out. The ones who want to write something honest, even if it’s raw, unfinished, or hard to look at.

This is a space for writing through trauma, grief, shame, rage—whatever’s been sitting on your shoulders without a name. I’m not here to rush your healing or tidy up your truth. But I am here to help you shape it. To meet you in the mess and then work with you—line by line, layer by layer—to turn your story into something that feels like yours.

Through one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and guided prompts, I’ll help you find your voice, write your truth, and polish your narrative on your own terms. No writing experience required. No perfect ending expected.

You bring the truth.
I’ll help you shape the story.

1:1 Coaching: Write Your Way Through

These private sessions are for when you want undivided attention, tailored prompts, and deep narrative exploration. We’ll work through what’s on the page and what’s just beneath it—together. Whether you’re stuck, starting over, or ready to refine your voice, I’ll meet you where you are and help you shape the next sentence forward.

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Single Session — $85

A 60-minute video call to explore where you are and where your story wants to go. Includes:

  • 1:1 coaching and reflection

  • 1 custom writing prompt

  • Optional follow-up notes and next steps

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Second Draft Starter (3 Sessions) — $240

Ideal for folks who need more structure and momentum. Includes:

  • Three 60-minute sessions over 4–6 weeks

  • Personalized prompts and reflection

  • Optional review of up to 2,000 words

  • Email check-ins between sessions

Intricate wedding cake

Story-in-Progress (6 Sessions) — $460

For longer-term projects or deeper transformation. Includes:

  • Six 60-minute sessions over 2–3 months

  • Narrative mapping and structure guidance

  • Feedback on up to 5,000 words

  • Priority scheduling and personalized resources

Sessions

About Me

I'm not here to fix your story. I'm here to help you write it.

My name is David Saltos Lee, and like a lot of people, I’ve lived through some chapters I didn’t get to write. Stories that were handed to me. Stories I stayed quiet about. Stories I only started to understand once I put them on the page.

Second Draft Self began as a question:
What if we could take the mess, the memory, the unfinished story—and write it again? Not to erase what happened but to reclaim how it’s told. Think back to all those times you thought of something you should have said.

I’m a writer and editor, but more than that, I’m someone who knows the difference between silence and voice. Between performance and presence. This space isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up with what’s real and starting to shape it into something that’s yours.

I bring years of editorial experience, a trauma-aware lens, and a deep belief in writing as a survival tool. I’m not a therapist, and I won’t pretend to be. But I will hold space. I’ll ask good questions. And I’ll help you turn your words into something that feels like truth.

This platform provides a safe space for exploration, offering resources like newsletters and writing prompts. I believe in the healing power of storytelling and aim to empower individuals to express themselves authentically and fearlessly.

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