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Your Must-Have Writing Playlist

If you ever read the author acknowledgements page in a book, you’ll often find a shoutout to a band where the author says,

“I want to thank Air Pistolas for their heavy-metal album “Shredded Tacos” – I played it on repeat while I was writing.”

Music touches our souls – and the RIGHT music can make the writing process easier.

And when the wrong music is playing in the background… heaven help us all because the writing process fully stalls out.

So what IS the best playlist?

This is one of those answers that is true and frustrating…

Whatever works for YOUR process!

(Sorry-not-sorry!)

What do *I* have in the background when I write?

Are you ready…

My washing machine and dryer.

Yep, for ME, the best writing music isn’t music at all. It’s the “pink” noise of my washing machine and dryer. (White noise is an even, constant sound with little variation. MY dryer is a constant noise (white) whereas my washer changes throughout the cycles (pink.))

So…

The best writing playlist is the one that works for YOU. Something that fades into the background enough that you can think but fills up the background noise spaces enough you aren’t “listening for something” and driving your nervous system crazy.

How do you find YOUR must-have writing playlist?

By enrolling in “Finally Write Your Book!”

In fact, I cover all this and MORE in my proven course, “Finally Write Your Book.” It guides you through my 5-step process to go from idea to finished book – easily and without getting derailed or lost.

Inside the course, you’ll get:

  • Kim’s full “Story Path” System ($5000 value) this is the exact same PROVEN system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books
  • Students-Only Facebook Community ($3750 value) where you can find your accountability buddy, access the group Q&A call, and have ongoing support
  • Monthly Group Q&A Call ($2000 value) so you have MY brain on your book — and hear from your fellow message-driven authors.
  • How to Take Author Headshots ($400 value) so that your readers can instantly connect with you.
  • About the Author Action Sheet ($500 value) so you can easily write your author bio for the book, your marketing, and speaking gigs!
  • Software Recommendations ($1000 value) so you know exactly what you need to write your book and don’t waste time “shopping” for programs.
  • CTA worksheet ($500 value) — so you can have your readers take actions (buying a course or getting on your list) without having your book read like a long-form sales letter OR leaving the “work with me” to be an afterthought.
  • And more!

Writing a book has never been about the PERFECT playlist – but knowing what location, noise, tools, and time of day fuel YOUR writing is part of the process. So in Step 5: WRITING Your Message-Driven Book, you’ll get over 15 lessons on finding the writing process that works for YOU – and then following it.

You can find out how to get MORE writing done… without giving up Netflix, your kids soccer games, or locking yourself in your office (including a few must-know tips for writing productivity) in my free virtual training, “5 Proven Steps to FINALLY Write Your Book.”

Register Here.

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Repeat After Me: I’m Worthy of Writing My Book

Read that again and then say it aloud:

I’m worthy of writing my book.

Because, my darling author, you ARE. You are exactly who you need to be, right now, to write the book.

And any place where you feel… less than…

Is lying to you. You’re ready RIGHT NOW, just as you are.

And even better than that:

IF there are any pieces of you that need to grow (that’s a big IF, my darling author) you will grow, expand, and BECOME as you write the book. The process of writing your book will allow you to step INTO your bigger self and become even more worthy.

Don’t let anyone (including yourself) KEEP you from who you’re meant to be.

And YOU are meant to write a book. You don’t have to do it alone. A great way to get support – on your own terms – is through the Finally Write Your Book Course.

In the course, you receive:

  • Kim’s full “Story Path” System ($5000 value) this is the exact same PROVEN system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books
  • Students-Only Facebook Community ($3750 value) where you can find your accountability buddy, access the group Q&A call, and have ongoing support
  • Monthly Group Q&A Call ($2000 value) so you have MY brain on your book — and hear from your fellow message-driven authors.
  • How to Take Author Headshots ($400 value) so that your readers can instantly connect with you.
  • About the Author Action Sheet ($500 value) so you can easily write your author bio for the book, your marketing, and speaking gigs!
  • Software Recommendations ($1000 value) so you know exactly what you need to write your book and don’t waste time “shopping” for programs.
  • CTA worksheet ($500 value) — so you can have your readers take actions (buying a course or getting on your list) without having your book read like a long-form sales letter OR leaving the “work with me” to be an afterthought.
  • And more!

In my free virtual training, “5 Proven Steps to Finally Write Your Book”, I go over how to get more writing done (without sacrifice), the #1 Mental Monster™ that keeps you stuck – THIS is the one that is currently tripping you up (and what to do about it), why you shouldn’t use your ‘signature talk’ as your book (and why not!), AND I walk you through my proven steps to writing your book.

Watch It Here

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Mistakes I’ve Made When Writing My Own Books

Quick Backstory:

I have written over 20 books with my name on the cover. (It’s not like I’ve written two books and now teach others how to write.)

I have a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. (I’ve studied the craft of writing my entire adult life.)

I have multiple books that have gone bestsellers in a variety of categories – including one that hit #4 out of ALL the books Amazon sells. (I’m not a one-hit wonder.)

I have coached my clients through writing and launching best-selling books. (Proven system to both write AND market books.)

Why This Matters:

Because if there’s a mistake out there… I’ve made it.

It also matters because I want you to know that I’m in this for the long haul. I didn’t write ONE book – and then teach others. I didn’t have ONE bestseller – and then teach others.

Here’s the BIGGEST mistake I’ve made when writing my books:

Not clearly identifying the next step for my readers.

It doesn’t mean that *I* have to take them on the next step – but I should have figured out what their next step WAS after reading my book (and assuming they got the transformation from the book I wanted them to have.)

Thankfully, YOU don’t have to make this mistake!

In my proven course, “Finally Write Your Book,” you’re going to do the lesson, “Hot Mess to Clarity Curve.”

In this lesson, you figure out exactly HOW your reader will transform over the course of your book. Yes, it matters if you’re writing a process book OR a memoir!

This is in Step 2: OUTLINING Your Message-Driven Book.

It also gets paired with my “Pizza Slices Process” that helps you figure out what goes in the book… and what doesn’t. The pizza slices that DON’T go in the book are hinted at – to create hunger and desire for your reader to take those next steps.

(If you’re a coach, this is where you can lead them to your program, system, or coaching!)

 

Then in Step 4: TARGETING Your Reader’s Experiences you pair these exercises with Reader’s Continuums to uncover how you need to reach your reader – what exact words and ideas will move her heart. And using the WIIFTR Decoder, you’ll know exactly how to put the reader first in your book. (Otherwise, your book is just about you!)

Plus, you’ll use the My Reader Worksheet you can print out and put next to your computer to ALWAYS know how to craft your words so the reader will feel seen, heard, and loved!

I created all these lessons because of the mistake I made:

  • Great book.
  • No follow-through.

That means not only will YOU know what next steps your reader should take after reading (and loving) your book, THEY will know as well.

PLUS, as a bonus to the course, you get my CTA Worksheet – so when you want your reader to take the action to get on your list, work with you further, or follow you on social media, you know how to weave that into your book so it’s neither an afterthought NOR makes your book feel like a long-form sales letter!

In fact, I’ve made sure that everything you need to successfully write your book is in this course (and delivered in a way that makes sense from one lesson to the next!)

Here’s what’s in the course:

  • Kim’s full “Story Path” System ($5000 value) this is the exact same PROVEN system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books
  • Students-Only Facebook Community ($3750 value) where you can find your accountability buddy, access the group Q&A call, and have ongoing support
  • Monthly Group Q&A Call ($2000 value) so you have MY brain on your book — and hear from your fellow message-driven authors.
  • How to Take Author Headshots ($400 value) so that your readers can instantly connect with you.
  • About the Author Action Sheet ($500 value) so you can easily write your author bio for the book, your marketing, and speaking gigs!
  • Software Recommendations ($1000 value) so you know exactly what you need to write your book and don’t waste time “shopping” for programs.
  • CTA worksheet ($500 value) — so you can have your readers take actions (buying a course or getting on your list) without having your book read like a long-form sales letter OR leaving the “work with me” to be an afterthought.
  • And more!

Doors open soon for Finally Write Your Book – watch for the email OR get on the waitlist here.

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When Affirmations Backfire…

One of my mentors, Holly Doherty, always says:

“You can’t put an affirmation on a bleeding, broken soul and expect it to heal.”

And she’s RIGHT!

This wisdom applies to writing:

You can’t put an affirmation “I can write!” on a no-plan writing session (or book) and expect to be able to sit down and WRITE.

One of my early coaching clients had carved out every Saturday afternoon to write. Her husband took the kids, she cleared her schedule, and she had THREE glorious alone-time hours to write.

So WHY did she ever only send me three pages to review?

And WHY were they written 24-hours before our meeting?

Because she filled her WRITING time with activities that backfired:

  • 25-minute guided meditation to “set the space” for writing
  • Lighting her “writing candle”
  • Doing a cleansing ritual for her space
  • Reciting 134 writing affirmations…

And suddenly… all her time was gone!

Affirmations backfire when you use the ACT of the affirmation in place of actually WRITING.

Affirmations backfire when you use the ACT of the affirmation in place of actually WRITING. Click To Tweet

Do I think affirmations are baloney and all washed up?

Nope.

In fact, as an extra bonus when you join “Finally Write Your Book” you actually GET a weekly writing affirmation sent to your inbox every Friday. (I want it to be there for any authors who write over the weekends!)

A little somethin’ somethin’ to guide you for the next week. A dose of positivity and possibility that you can cling to when the process of writing gets tough.

I don’t promote it as a bonus, because, well, it’s NOT. It’s more the bow on top of the package – pretty but not NEEDED.

What you need to write your book is what you GET in the course:

  • Kim’s full “Story Path” System ($5000 value) this is the exact same PROVEN system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books
  • Students-Only Facebook Community ($3750 value) where you can find your accountability buddy, access the group Q&A call, and have ongoing support
  • Monthly Group Q&A Call ($2000 value) so you have MY brain on your book — and hear from your fellow message-driven authors.
  • How to Take Author Headshots ($400 value) so that your readers can instantly connect with you.
  • About the Author Action Sheet ($500 value) so you can easily write your author bio for the book, your marketing, and speaking gigs!
  • Software Recommendations ($1000 value) so you know exactly what you need to write your book and don’t waste time “shopping” for programs.
  • CTA worksheet ($500 value) — so you can have your readers take actions (buying a course or getting on your list) without having your book read like a long-form sales letter OR leaving the “work with me” to be an afterthought.
  • And more!

Affirmations aren’t the make-or-break key to writing your book.

A proven system and guided support IS.

In my free virtual training, “5 Proven Steps to Finally Write Your Book”, I go over how to get more writing done (without sacrifice), the #1 Mental Monster™ that keeps you stuck (and what to do about it), why you shouldn’t use your ‘signature talk’ as your book (and why not!), AND I walk you through my proven steps to writing your book.

Watch It Here

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Best Snacks to Fuel Your Writing

Disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist, dietician, health coach, or doctor (and I don’t play them on TV.)

That being said…

A writer’s gotta EAT.

Writing needs major brain fuel – and without a snack PLAN I either much mindlessly on chips OR wait until my stomach is growling SO LOUD I can’t even think.

Writing needs major brain fuel – and without a snack PLAN is a dangerous option. Find the best snacks for authors here. Click To Tweet

Friend, NEITHER is a good option.

The best snacks have:

  1. Protein
  2. Carb
  3. Healthy fat

AND can be enjoyed at your desk – so you don’t have to STOP writing.

Just before my wedding I hired a GREAT health coach to help get me into shape – not drop pounds or fit into the dress – but because my mind and body were 100% out of sync. I felt sluggish in both mind AND body.

She helped me get back on track, figure out food pairings that worked for me, and exercises that weren’t crazy (but got great results.)

Unfortunately, Kristen is no longer working in the health-coach space (and I’ve yet to find a sane, fun coach to recommend.) BUT I do have a copy of her 31 High Energy Snacks list from 2015 that I STILL munch off of today!

Get The List

Please note that none of the links will work; that doesn’t mean the information isn’t a good starting point!

Snack on my writer friend!

P.S. It’s one thing to START writing your book, it’s another to CONTINUE when life gets busy. In my free virtual training, “5 Proven Steps to Finally Write Your Book”, I share how you can get more writing done – without sacrifice or giving up Netflix!

Watch It Here

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Oh no! A Book on My Topic Has Already Been Written!

Books are a GREAT way to be seen as the go-to expert for your topic. So it can feel like you’ve missed your opportunity if you do an Amazon search and discover that a similar book has already been written.

Time to give up, right?

Wrong!

Come on, you KNOW what I’m going to tell you:

Your Message is completely unique to you. It’s your story to tell – and nobody can share it like you can.

Your book's Message is completely unique to you. It’s your story to tell – and nobody can share it like you can. Click To Tweet

More than that, there is a person out there who doesn’t want A book about your topic… they are searching for YOUR book (and only you will do.)

Message is what you bring to the world – and only you can bring it.

Message is as indivisible from who you are as your skeleton is from your body; one cannot exist without the other.

Message is what sets your book apart from any others on the TOPIC – it’s something that can’t be duplicated, replicated, or copied.

Message can also be…

Elusive.

It’s one thing for me to assure you that your book WILL make a difference to your reader BECAUSE of your unique message.

It’s another thing entirely to FIND your message – and be able to articulate it in a way that allows your reader to feel your heart, know that they aren’t alone, and create the soul-to-soul connection that IS Message.

That’s why, in Finally Write Your Book, we START with Message:

  • What is it.
  • How to uncover yours (hint: the Slide Up Sideways Method is key to pinning down Message in all its elusiveness.)
  • How to craft it on the page.
  • Why it matters so much to your reader.

Starting writing your book FROM knowing your Message is also the difference between a book that matters… and just a book. It’s the key to keeping you in the writing flow, coming back to your daily writing habit, and a project you pick up occasionally in a flurry of activity and then pop back into the drawer.

And here’s the GREAT news for you:

“REVEALING Your Message” is Step 1 in my PROVEN course, Finally Write Your Book.

Instead of trying to figure it ALL out on your own — and getting derailed by an Amazon search on your book’s topic — you need to go check out my proven course, “Finally Write Your Book.” The great news:

You can get a free virtual training that will help you get started with your book, give you a taste of my teaching style, AND cut off the #1 Mental Monster (TM) that’s keeping you stuck. Go check it out here >>> http://finallywriteyourbook.com/5Steps

 

 

A Crazy Challenge for Connecting Deeply with Your Creativity

#myth – I need to be really creative to write a book.

#truth – creativity is fickle and comes and goes.

Creativity is a wonderful thing. And when you’re in the flow, there’s no better feeling.

AND waiting to feel creative (or inspired) and only writing from that space is a recipe for frustration.

If you’re not feeling creative… it’s time to go out and CREATE creativity. Creating creativity in one area of your life, especially in a low-risk way, breeds permission to be creative in your writing.

If you’re not feeling creative… it’s time to go out and CREATE creativity. Creating creativity in one area of your life breeds permission to be creative in your writing. Click To Tweet

Here’s your crazy challenge:

Purchase (from a real store) some of the following supplies (hint: you should be able to do with for UNDER $10)

  • Paint, paper, brushes
  • Modeling clay or PlayDoh
  • Beads, glue, ribbon
  • Seeds, beans, rice, lentils, and glue
  • Silk or fake flowers, a wreath form, glue
  • Small wooden shapes or objects, paint, glitter
  • Crayons, markers, paper

Now, MANY of us will have these items at home. But I want you to plan a trip to a real store.

Handle the objects. See how they FEEL in your hands, how they look in the light, the textures and smells of the shop. THIS is part of the challenge – finding inspiration before you even begin!

Again, you don’t need to break the bank! Keep that budget under $10.

When you come home, you’ll need to supplement your supplies with scissors, paper (or a file folder), and from whatever easy-to-grab supplies you have at home.

If it’s not EASY to grab in your house, if it’s complicated, buried, or frustration-making… DON’T DO IT.

Now, set a timer for 20 minutes.

CREATE.

No right or wrong way. PLAY with what you have. Lean into the feeling of creativity without expectation, rules, or negative consequences.

Experiment with doing it “wrong.”

  • Mix all the colors of clay together!
  • Paint the sky pink.
  • Use the beans, rice, lentils (and spices from your cabinet) to create a mosaic. Or just a bin to run your fingers through.
  • Be abstract! Throw “art skills” out the window.
  • Use your crayons or markers to color on wood, plastic, glass.
  • Paint with your fingers.
  • Make a wreath; hang it up.
  • Put glitter on EVERYTHING – without worrying about the mess.

At the end of your 20 minutes… you can continue, or you can STOP. If you choose to stop, you may NOT entertain any thoughts of waste, mess, or frustration. In fact, if you’re fighting those feelings then KEEP playing.

This crazy challenge is to tap into your childhood sense of creation, creativity, and play.

What you’ll find is the NEXT time you sit down to write, you’ll automatically be able to tap into your creativity more deeply and easily.

Speaking of creativity…

If you’re worried that your creativity is too small – or too fickle – to write a book, then you’re in luck! Because doors open soon for Finally Write Your Book.

This is my PROVEN course that guides you through my 5-step process to go from idea to finished book – easily and without getting derailed or lost. INCLUDING how to cultivate that fickle creativity AND how to write without it.

Inside the course, you’ll get:

  • Kim’s full “Story Path” System ($5000 value) this is the exact same PROVEN system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books
  • Students-Only Facebook Community ($3750 value) where you can find your accountability buddy, access the group Q&A call, and have ongoing support
  • Monthly Group Q&A Call ($2000 value) so you have MY brain on your book — and hear from your fellow message-driven authors.
  • How to Take Author Headshots ($400 value) so that your readers can instantly connect with you.
  • About the Author Action Sheet ($500 value) so you can easily write your author bio for the book, your marketing, and speaking gigs!
  • Software Recommendations ($1000 value) so you know exactly what you need to write your book and don’t waste time “shopping” for programs.
  • CTA worksheet ($500 value) — so you can have your readers take actions (buying a course or getting on your list) without having your book read like a long-form sales letter OR leaving the “work with me” to be an afterthought.
  • And more!

Harnessing your creativity IS important when it comes to writing your book – but it’s not the be-all, end-all need! You also need to know what and how to write so that you can reach your reader and share your message.

In my free virtual training, “5 Proven Steps to FINALLY Write Your Book” we also look at how you can get writing done – every day – without waiting for creativity or inspiration to strike. (AND without giving up your life!)

Register Here

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