BEST Notebook for Writing Your Book

When I do my 5-Day Writing Challenge, one of the FIRST things we cover are supplies. Especially your pen and notebook.

Why?

Because as authors (and entrepreneurs) we have a DEEP love of office supplies.

But BUYING them and USING them are two different things!

I’ve fielded DOZENS of queries over the years about what is the best notebook to use to write your book – either the whole thing or notes.

Guys! This can SERIOUSLY trip you up…

Some people adore the expensive, leather-bound journals. The ones you need to mortgage your house to afford.

Some people grab the notes app on their phone; no tree-killing writers here!

Some people start and stop DOZENS of notebooks – and end up scattered.

Some people need lines. Or dots. Or blank pages. Or a steno-pad, with the spiral at the TOP. (Looking at you, lefties!)

Deep breath, my friend.

Because there IS a best notebook out there:

The notebook you will USE.

Let me say that again:

The BEST notebook for writing your book is the one that you will actually pick up, open, and write in.

Keep Reading!

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The Frugalista’s Guide to Writing a Book

When it comes to writing, it seems so easy to go the frugal route, right:

Just sit down and WRITE.

Except no matter how much you love saving money, sitting down to write is NOT the first step in successfully writing a book.

It IS, however, the first step to making yourself crazy when your progress stalls out!

Do you need fancy or expensive supplies and software?

Nope!

Microsoft Word – which is probably already installed on your computer – is just fine.

Or even a $0.79 one-subject spiral bound notebook and the pen you stole from the dentist’s office!

But where you DO need to budget is around writing training. All the free templates and checklists or free trainings and webinars that you can get from writing coaches and experts (ahem – like the one from me that got you on my list) are designed to do one thing:

To help you pick which writing coach you want to HIRE.

When it comes to writing, it seems so easy to go the frugal route, right: Just sit down and WRITE. Except no matter how much you love saving money, sitting down to write is NOT the first step in successfully writing a book. THIS is. Click To Tweet

Because you do need to invest in yourself, your writing, and your message and HIRE a coach! Trying to do it yourself…

Keep Reading!

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The #1 Certification You Need to Write Your Book

It’s really easy to think:

  • I need to take THIS class before I write my book.
  • I need THAT certification before I write my book.
  • I need MORE clients before I write my book.
  • I need THAT client result or testimonial before I write my book.

So here’s the #1 certification you DO need before you write your book:

Download it and fill out this permission slip and have it say:

[YOUR NAME] can write a book.

  • Frame it.
  • Make it beautiful.
  • Hang it on your wall.

And then look at it any time you forget – and think you need more training, certifications, or knowledge before you get started.

Now if you’re less worried about your knowledge for the CONTENT to write a book and more worried that you don’t know HOW 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.

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!

Certifications and trainings 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

What Is the Best Time of Year to Write a Book?

I get asked this all the time:

Kim, when is the BEST time of year to write a book?

And my answer is always the same:

NOW.

(After all, “now” is all we have!)

There’s no magic in waiting until January 1, summer vacation, an anniversary or birthday, after the holidays, etc.

NOW.

(If you’re really asking when is the best time to LAUNCH a book, THAT has a different answer!)

Because we’re always busy.
We live full, complicated, vibrant lives.

There is no “best time of year” to write a book.

There is no “best time of year” to write a book. There's no magic on January 1. NOW is the best time to start. Here's how! Click To Tweet

There IS however, a best WAY to write a book! And that’s using my proven system, “Finally Write Your Book” – the same system that clients around the world have used to successfully go from idea to finished book. (Some in a matter of MONTHS!)

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!

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

But since it IS in the window between Christmas and New Year’s, that liminal space of eating leftovers, dreaming about goals, and spending Christmas money, I wanted to make you a special, limited-time offer.

YOU can get my pre-recorded workshop, “Writing Through the Holidays” RIGHT now, for only $17.

In this 60-minute workshop, you get MY best tools for writing during the holidays AND you can take this information to any time your life/time balance is different than normal. Like when you’re on vacation!

Limited Time Offer >>> Get The Workshop

Essential Oils for Enhancing Your Writing Space

We’re always looking for the “best of …”

That one magic bullet that unlocks All.The.Things.

So, the search for how to enhance your writing space, of course, makes sense! And I’m right there with you!

When I started my business, I was on the search for the exact blend of oils that would be energizing without cloying, fill my space without being overpowering, and of course, STILL let me sleep later!

Because home office!

Here’s my go-to blend of essential oils for enhancing my writing space:

  • Lemon
  • Lavender
  • Mint

I don’t use a fancy diffuser; just a little clay disk that I made from air-dry modeling clay.

I use more lavender than lemon (lemon is STRONG) and I limit the mint to one or two drops.

What if you don’t LIKE these scents?

Then you do you!

Here’s the real magic bullet for enhancing your writing space:

It’s what works FOR YOU.

If that’s cracking open the window…
If that’s lighting incense…
If that’s your favorite candle…
If that’s a pot of soup on the stove…
If it’s the dog farting under your desk…

If it works for YOUR space then it’s a win-win for your writing!

Above all, don’t be afraid to mix it up and try things out. What might work in the dead of winter (essential oils) is too heavy in summer (open window and the smell of rain.)

Essential Oils for Enhancing Your Writing Space: If it works for YOUR space then it’s a win-win for your writing! Click To Tweet

Maybe the dog farts equal creativity or maybe you lock ALL pets (and kids and lunch) out of your writing area.

There’s no one-size fits all – and it’s fully okay to experiment!

The Difference Between WHAT to Write and HOW to Write It

Truthbomb:

You do NOT sit down to write a book and just… write.

 

While it’s NICE when the words pour out of you (and they might) – waiting for that level of flow isn’t sustainable.

Because it’s not HOW to write it (put words on paper.)

It’s WHAT to write:

  • Engaging stories that move the heart of your reader (so they remember)
  • Clear teaching that is talking to the reader, not at them
  • Showing your reader why and how you care
  • Moving from one story or teaching point to the next – in a way that makes sense for the reader

Which means you need a PLAN to write your message-driven book. Or… wait for it… a PROVEN SYSTEM.

That’s what you get in Finally Write Your Book. My proven system that has helped authors JUST LIKE YOU write their books and share their message.

In Finally Write Your Book we take a deep dive look at how to target your reader’s experiences so that you know everything you have in your book SERVES the reader. This means they:

  • Get the biggest transformation possible
  • Know how much you care
  • Are more likely to recommend the book to a friend
  • Can’t WAIT to become your client

And above all, you learn how to write your book in a way that is sustainable (no matter how busy you are) so that you can share your message with the world!

Join the Waitlist for Finally Write Your Book​

Why You Shouldn’t Use Your ‘Signature Talk’ as Your Book (and what to do instead)

There’s a myth out in “write your book” land – often perpetuated by other book writing gurus that says:

Take a transcription of your signature talk and use THAT as your book.

(After all, your talk is effective, your book would be too!)

No!

A talk does three things:

1. Positions the speaker as an expert
2. Gives the listeners a taste of the bigger transformation offered by working with the speaker
3. Makes an offer

From a talk, a listener DOES walk away with value – a tiny nugget of WHY they need to do something. (Often missing the HOW to do it; you get THAT when the speaker makes her offer into her course, program, coaching, etc.)

A 90-minute signature talk (or a speak to sell talk) IS highly effective at exposing the gap between where the listener is now and where they could be, then making an offer to teach the listener HOW to fill in that gap.

But 90-minutes of a powerful talk is way too short for a book!

  • There isn’t enough value.
  • It will come off as “preachy” since all the warmth, tone of voice, and changes in voice pitch and pacing are lost from a talk to a book.
  • When giving a talk, the speaker IS a Sage on the Stage.

But reading a talk, even an edited transcription, will leave the reader feeling sold to.

Factoid:

Talks ARE designed to give a bit of education and do a LOT of selling.

Talks ARE designed to give a bit of education and do a LOT of selling. Books aren't! (click to find out what a book DOES do.) Click To Tweet

Keep Reading!

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