Getting More Writing Done

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My Art Teacher’s Tips to Writing Your Book

All through high school, I was a regular fixture in Mr. Ward’s advanced art classes. Fifty minutes every day of just… drawing. Since I was in the advanced classes, there was limited instruction and lots of time to create. I’d spend an entire semester working on ONE large drawing or painting.

It was a project.

That meant that there was ZERO room to get it done in the days before the deadline. I had to work on it Every.Single.Day. And not just in class; my dad built me a beautiful art table at home and I would work on my drawing for an hour or more every night too.

When I got to college, I was surprised to discover that it was Mr. Ward’s art classes that had best set me up for academic success. That daily habit of working on my project.

As adults, I doubt we can find TWO 1-hour chunks in our day to write our books. I know I can’t! But I can take the daily lessons from Mr. Ward and translate them to writing your book.

1. Daily efforts add up

Did I work on my drawing (on my own time) seven days a week? Probably not. But I do know that MOST evenings and at least one weekend afternoon would find me drawing.

When you strive to write every single day to write your book, you’ll probably get 4/7. And that adds up!

2. Practice makes improvement

You’re not coming to your book not knowing how to write AT ALL. You’re actually a pretty skilled written communicator – emails, social media posts, blog articles, etc.

By practicing your writing skills, you will improve. And you’ll add new skills that are unique to writing a book, like storytelling.

3. Teachers matter

While much of Mr. Ward’s classes were self-directed, he was a brilliant art teacher as well. I learned more about perspective in his class than in any of my art classes since. And while I “knew” my color wheel, it was his lessons on mixing paint that really allowed me to see how to create rich depths of color.

Your teacher matters. You want a teacher who is passionate about their subject, currently working in the field, and has successes of their own AND clients.

(Yes, that’s 100% me when it comes to writing. I have studied writing my whole life, have a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, written over 20 books of my own, and have dozens of students who have bestselling books!)

A great place for you to START is with my brand-new mini-course, “Outline Oyster.”

This is a quick course to help you write an outline for your non-fiction book – one that keeps you on track, motivated to write, and is ANYTHING but boring or stodgy.

(After all, with a name like OUTLINE OYSTER you know this is going to be fun, right?!)

In under two hours, you’ll learn:

  • How you want your reader to change from reading your book – and know how to WRITE that so it happens
  • Which stories need to go in your book – and where
  • How to take your reader from Hot Mess to Clarity – so their life can change for the better
  • Quick and practical steps to organize your ideas – this ALONE has been responsible for countless authors getting unstuck
  • How to write from your outline so you keep your creativity and motivation high
  • What goes in the book (and what doesn’t!) so your reader gets the maximum transformation without being overwhelmed
  • How to think about your book in terms of larger offerings you may have – like courses or coaching

Use the coupon code OUTLINE1023 for $50 off the course!

Enroll Here.

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My Super-Secret Ritual to Write Faster

You want your book to change lives. You want to Help People. (Yes, with a capital H.)

So it’s only natural to agonize over every single word.

The challenge is that then writing takes forever. And you’ve probably already spent weeks, months, YEARS “writing” your book.

#truthbomb

It’s far easier to edit your writing into brilliance than it is to write every single word brilliantly the first time.

#moretruth

It’s impossible to edit what isn’t on the page!

That means that part of writing your book is getting your ideas out of your head (and heart!) and onto the page. As quickly as possible.

Here’s my super secret Ritual to write faster:

Say this mantra three times:

I have everything I need, in this moment, to write.

These ten POWERFUL words have unlocked authors just like you. And the best part about this ritual is that when you’re reciting this mantra, you can change the emphasis to give you power and motivation for where you’re stuck.

Writing in a waiting room, without your preferred tools, (instead of in your writing space)?

I have EVERYTHING I need, in this moment, to write.

Writing when you’re feeling unsettled and like all your ideas are lacking?

I have everything I need, IN THIS MOMENT, to write.

Writing when you’d rather be scrubbing the toilet – so it feels a touch forced?

I have everything I need, in this moment, TO WRITE.

What I love best about this ritual is that it is ten words that I can do anywhere, any time. I don’t need a candle or silence or a meditation cushion or a singing bowl or any THING fancy.

Me.
Pen and paper.
10 words.

GO.

Need a little extra help to get writing? I recommend The Book Idea Workbook. This mini-course allows you to QUICKLY get the ideas out of your head and onto paper. Then to figure out where you want to start – which is the difference between a “Yes! I want to WRITE THAT BOOK” and a “well I guess I should write that book, since I guess it’s time and I kinda have to.” (Aka a “should” book.)

Get The Book Idea Workbook Here

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The Procrastinator’s Guide to Writing Your Book

You want to write a book.

It’s been on your heart for a while.

And yet, when you sit down to write you feel the sudden need to:

  • Scrub a toilet.
  • Purge the pantry.
  • Call your third cousin, twice removed and see how her ex-mother-in-law’s toe surgery went.

You want to do ANYTHING but write your book!

  • It’s not about willpower.
  • It’s not about reward and punishment.
  • It’s not about procrastination.

It’s 100% about starting in the wrong place!

Because if your “To Do” list says:

Write Book

I can GUARANTEE you’ll struggle.

That to do list item just isn’t clear enough to get you into motion – and keep you there.

And it’s exactly why I have packed “Step 5: WRITING Your Book” in my proven course, “Finally Write Your Book” FILLED with all the ways that you can get OFF the procrastination train, create a consistent (and painless) writing habit, and ACTUALLY GET YOUR BOOK WRITTEN.

Lessons include:

  • The “Done” Line
  • Kim’s 10-Word Writing Mantra
  • Honoring Your Preferences
  • Writing Time vs Thinking Time
  • The Power of Mini-Goals
  • Fitting In Your Writing Time
  • Overcoming Procrastination
  • What to Do If You’re Stuck
  • And so much more! (24 lessons in total!)

 

Doors open soon for Finally Write Your Book. 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!

 

NOW actually IS a great time to write your book. You’re already busy – might as well stop waiting and start writing.

The good news is that enrollment opens soon for my proven course, “Finally Write Your Book.”

The BEST news is that everything IN the course – from your learning to your writing time – is designed to be done in about 15 minutes a day. Which is something you CAN fit into your day, even as busy as you are.

And as soon as you enroll, you have instant access to the entire course AND you’ll have lifetime access so you can do it at your own pace! No need to KEEP waiting on that “As soon as…” to happen in your life.

RIGHT NOW – get my TOP tips for getting more writing done (WITHOUT having to give up your life) in my free class, “How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!” Register Here.