First, I urge you to set realistic writing goals. I am usually quite vocal about the vile taste that rises in my mouth when I hear about “write your book in a weekend” type programs. They make me want to pull my hair out! You might be able to write the first draft of a lead magnet to sell for …
There seems to be a new decision to be made in today’s book market besides writing in first or third person and that is writing in past tense or present tense. You can pick up various books in most genres and see that all possible combinations are being used from first person present tense to the tried and true third …
Also known as the sophomore slump in other industries, it’s equally a phenomenon in the writing industry where authors feel less than enthusiastic or motivated or confident about writing their second book. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Maureen Fisher, an author friend of mine, for lunch last week when she was in town visiting her new grandson. We’ve …
You do not have to adore writing as much as I do to write a book. All you need is help from the team, a great idea, and a story to go with it. The story is the backbone of everything we write. It draws the reader in, it elicits emotion, it convinces us to come along for the ride, …
You know how some kids need to have their tongue freeze on a lamp post to learn the lesson? And some people need to touch the stove to believe it’s hot? That’s experiential learning. Many of us are gaining our confidence through experience and no matter how much others may say we rock, we need to experience it for ourselves. …
…and how to write again It has happened to all of us at some point. Your life just blew up and you’re lucky if you can fit in three square meals and other life-sustaining essentials. You’re exhausted, and yet you can’t sleep. Your new normal is now an adrenaline filled fight or flight fiesta. Suddenly, your inner critic wants to …
It was the best email I had ever received. “Thank you for sending your proposal my way. I’ll read this over the weekend and respond to you on Monday. Have a great weekend.” A weekend! I only had to wait a weekend to find out if my book proposal has legs and if this top New York Literary Agent thought the …
One of the most frequent requirements of my job as a writing coach is going to battle with my client’s inner critic and champion their authentic self to dare to speak (and write) their truth in service of others. It is not an easy task. Fear and self-doubt can creep into a writer and paralyze their creativity at any moment, …
I sat across from my client in a busy coffee shop. The table was littered with papers and notebooks, laptops and coffee cups. An ordinary meeting on an ordinary day until I decided to put my stake in the ground and my contract with my client on the line. The reader comes first. Always. She argued her point well, that her …
I hate to burst your bubble but… Book sales are NOT your end goal. The reality is that it takes a while before writing, publishing, and book sales accumulate enough traction to be as profitable as the Brené Browns and Glennon Doyles of the world. In the meantime, being a published author is an admission ticket and a statement of …
