writing

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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.

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Failure Alert: You {Can’t} Write a Book In a Few Days (It really does take longer!)

I’m getting on my personal soap box here…

You CANNOT write a message-driven book in just a few days.

There. I said it. Whew.

You see, I believe that you need time to percolate on your Message. It’s okay to need the time to LEARN how to tell stories. And that nothing is wrong with you if you need more thinking time, write slowly, or can’t get your thoughts out under an insane deadline.

Like writing a book in two days…
Or a few weeks!

I ALSO know that odds are good you’ve TRIED those “write super-fast” courses and programs. The 10 Chapter Book Template.

And they MAY work for writing an opt-in gift or white paper.

But they DON’T work for writing a message-driven book. One that shares your heart and soul with the reader.

A book that tells YOUR story – and lets your precious reader know that they aren’t alone.

You’re not a failure if those other programs didn’t work for you.

You need a different way. A way that WORKS for authors who don’t want to spend years – but do want to spend months.

Keep Reading!

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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

 

 

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Myth: I Can’t Write a Book Because I Have ADHD/Dyslexia

Truth: While putting words on paper IS part of writing a book (duh) it actually isn’t THE most important part.

You want to write a book to help people and to share your message.

THAT has nothing to do with any “limitation” you might have, including ADHD, Dyslexia, if English is your second language, or anything ELSE you can throw at why you “can’t” write a book.

The very first step is to uncover your message – and it’s where we start in my proven course, Finally Write Your Book.

Message is the heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul connection to your reader. It’s your reader’s way of knowing that you’ve been where they are – and that you can help them.

Using my Slide Up Sideways Method, you’ll uncover your message (the one that you’re sharing in your book and that is the foundation of your purpose on the planet) so you can ditch the marketing jargon and deeply connect with your reader.

Keep Reading!

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