writing

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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.

Ooh La La: The Pleasurable Guide to Picking a Writing Notebook

When someone hears you’re a writer, the next thing you know, you’re being gifted notebooks and pens and office supplies for every birthday, anniversary, and special occasion.

And while you DO love office supplies and the feel of a new notebook (who doesn’t?!) that doesn’t mean that the well-meaning gift giver gave you the RIGHT notebook.

Here’s how to pick the perfect notebook for you!

Binding Matters

If you’re right-handed, this might matter less. But any leftie will tell you that it’s horrible to be laying your wrist on a spiral! Handle the notebook. Lay it flat (or on your knee) and FEEL what it will be like to write in it. If you prefer a spiral so it’ll lay flat and you can easily flip pages, then a perfect bound will never suit you.

If you’re a leftie, think about a notebook with binding at the TOP. (And you can find ones that are more luxurious than just a Steno pad.

The Ink You’ll Use

Before we talk about the feel of the paper, you need to think about the pen that you most often reach for. If you love a wetter ink, then it’ll bleed through some papers and smear. A ballpoint is easy to use but can leave divots and channels in the paper.

Thinking of your favorite writing tool allows you to choose the perfect paper.

Perfect Paper for Next Ideas

It matters (a lot) if your notebook will be lined, graph, dotted, or blank. The weight of the paper matters – and so does how glossy or matte it is. There’s a real seduction in the beautiful cover of a journal; but if the paper inside isn’t right, you’ll never use it.

This is the place to honor your preferences and pick the interior paper that is the most soothing to you.

Seductive Beauty Over Perfect Function

That leather-covered thong journal IS beautiful. But if the pills of leather and the extra effort to loosen the thong is too much, then leave THAT journal on the shelf and find on that is as beautiful as it is functional.

No matter what type of journal is perfect for you, choose the notebook that you’ll use – again and again. And when you find one you love – buy two!

I talk a lot about picking the perfect writing tools (without overthinking it) in my course, Finally Write Your Book. In fact, this course is exactly what my VIP Clients use to learn exactly how to write their books.

To get a sneak peek of my teaching style, register for my free class, “How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!” here.

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My Secret to Writing Your Book Like a Boss

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You’re used to knuckling down and Getting Things Done. You love a challenge and you ALWAYS rise to the occasion.

So when you set the goal to write a book, you thought:

No problem! I’ve got this in the bag!

And then…

  • It isn’t such a straight path.
  • The lists and checklists and templates feel restrictive.
  • You want to be creative, but you’re worrying about “doing it wrong.”
  • Days are ticking by on the calendar and you don’t feel any closer to writing the book.

What’s wrong with you?!

Deep breath, friend. Writing a book is NOT like clearing out the garage! They are both a project, yes, but the steps to clean your garage are more of a “rinse and repeat” process to figure out what you’re gonna toss and what you’ll keep (and how to store it!) Writing a book needs a better plan.

You’ve got mad skills for figuring things out – and you’re really self-sufficient. You’ve probably had great success in the past with getting a tiny bit of knowledge, applying it, tweaking it, and you’re off to the races – successes raining down!

And it’s frustrating that you can FEEL the book trying to come together – but it isn’t.

Here’s my secret to writing like a boss:

Get Better Help.

It’s not about delegating the writing (ghostwriter) but it IS about tapping into the right system that will allow you to write the book that is on your heart, use your gifts, and do it in your own time frame.

No restrictive templates – but a SYSTEM that has worked for authors just.like.you.

It starts with my free training, “How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!”

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • All you need for your book is to write down your signature talk, right? WRONG! I’ll explain how your book needs to be so much more.
  • If you do this one thing you’ll be GUARANTEED to get MORE writing done… without giving up Netflix, your kids’ soccer games, or locking yourself in your office. (Hint: I’m a busy mom of three!)
  • My PROVEN system to write a message-driven book… so that you can reach the people you’re meant to reach! This is the system I use myself AND it has helped authors around the world to FINALLY start – and finish – their books!
  • AND debunking the Mental Monsters™ that keep you from even getting started… including my brand of Monster Spray that is sure to work. Get this wrong and you’ll NEVER finish your book.

Save your seat and watch the free class today!

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Borrowed Courage for Dealing with Impostor Syndrome

It happens to everybody: you, me, the guy down the street…

Impostor Syndrome.

Suddenly, you’re overcome with the feelings of just faking it. (And “it” changes – today it’s parenting, tomorrow it’s writing your book.)

And while bouts of impostor syndrome happen to everyone, you can’t LIVE in that space. Especially when you’re trying to write your book and share your message with the world. After all, you can’t help the people you are meant to help if you’re stuck hiding.

The best way to get over impostor syndrome is to provide your brain (and heart) actual PROOF that you are not faking it. Here are two things you can do to create courage when you’re faced with impostor syndrome.

1. Grab one of your (unused) pretty notebooks and your favorite pen

That notebook you’ve been saving? This is a great use for it. As you go through your days take a moment to jot down PROOF that you’re a successful writer.

Wrote on your book today? Put that in the notebook.
Got positive comments on a social media post? Put that in the notebook.
Had a press release published? Put that in the notebook.

What you’re creating is a PROOF file of all the ways you succeed as a writer – big and small. Then, when you’re wrestling with impostor syndrome as a writer, you’ve got proof, ready to go, that you’re not.

Start today!

But what if you’re currently in the midst of impostor syndrome and don’t have a proof file ready to go?

2. Grab a blank piece of paper and a big, fat marker

On that (big) piece of paper write in marker (bold!)

I am an author.

Put your hand over your heart and read that aloud to yourself. Again. Again. And each time you look at the words, say them aloud, and feel your hand on your chest.

You may start in a whisper. But I want you to – intentionally – say the words “I am an author” with more volume and belief.

Why are they written, spoken aloud, and you’ve got a hand on your chest?

To hit your brain visually, auditorily, and kinetically. (Yes, it matters.)

Impostor syndrome can also be the Mental Monster™ called “Who am I?” All Mental Monsters™ are insidious. And they often show up in pairs. You can learn about them all in my free class, How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!

Register Here

Learn from a best-selling author exactly how I help message-driven authors JUST LIKE YOU to write their non-fiction books in 15 minutes a day – even if you’ve struggled for years. (Yes, this works for how to books, process-based books, and memoir!)

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • All you need for your book is to write down your signature talk, right? WRONG! I’ll explain how your book needs to be so much more.
  • If you do this one thing you’ll be GUARANTEED to get MORE writing done… without giving up Netflix, your kids’ soccer games, or locking yourself in your office. (Hint: I’m a busy mom of three!)
  • My PROVEN system to write a message-driven book… so that you can reach the people you’re meant to reach! This is the system I use myself AND it has helped authors around the world to FINALLY start – and finish – their books!
  • AND debunking the Mental Monsters™ that keep you from even getting started… including my brand of Monster Spray that is sure to work. Get this wrong and you’ll NEVER finish your book.

Save your seat and watch the free class today!

 

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5 Essential Ideas for Writing a Message-Driven Book

You, my friend, are full of ideas. And while you may not realize it, you’re also very skilled at taking things that don’t seem like they go together and finding the golden thread that connects them – then creating something brand-new in the world.

That is so amazing!

You can do the same thing for writing your book. But NOT if you’re getting stuck in stodgy templates or formulas that don’t allow the alchemy of your ideas to come through.

Because let me guess…

In your search to write a book, you’ve tried out a few of those “Ten Must-Have Chapters for Your Book” or “Proven Book-Writing Formula”… and they’ve fallen flat.

They don’t take into account your message, your ideas, and your drive to change the world.

Never fear!

Here are 5 essential ideas to harness while writing your message-driven book.

1. Your message matters

This isn’t jargon or marketing speak! You have a message to share with the world, and tapping into it allows you to bring forth all of your passion, warmth, and creativity to the world. And a world governed by “rules” has done its best to keep you playing small.

The first idea I want you to breathe into is…

Your Message Matters.

This is exactly where you start when writing your book – Revealing Your Message. Doing so will set your ideas and your book free.

5 Essential Ideas for Writing a Message-Driven Book Click To Tweet

2. You don’t have to write the book “in order”

Let me guess:

You’ve tried to write your book starting at the Introduction, then Chapter 1, and so on. And you quickly lost interest.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t (or shouldn’t) write a book! It simply means that you’re going about it in a way that doesn’t allow your brilliance and dynamic thinking to shine through. Once you’ve created your outline (Step 2: OUTLINING Your Message-Driven Book) then you are free to jump around in the book – and you know it’ll all get written because you have a plan.

3. Magic happens when you are… you

You are the sum total of your thoughts, experiences, training, upbringing, beliefs, and adventures. Good and bad – they all come together to make you… you.

So let that shine through! All your brilliance – and all your idiosyncrasies. Writing a book IS putting words on a page. But the way you express your ideas, stories, and thoughts doesn’t have to and SHOULDN’T conform to any set of “rules.”

Take all the exciting, magical, unusual ways you get results – and let that shine.

4. Flexibility in how you write lights you up

You wither under too much rigidity. So embrace that you need flexibility in how you write. That might look like a variety of writing locations (cafes, parks, the living room chair) or it might be the excitement of a fresh notebook and a fancy pen.

The bottom line is that the novelty of how you write keeps the ideas flowing. Don’t stifle that!

There are easy systems in Step 5: WRITING Your Message-Driven Book (part of the Finally Write Your Book Course) that will teach you how to embrace all the novelty and flexibility in writing and STILL be able to bring it all together into the structure and format of a book.

Don’t fight who you are! Embrace it!

5. You need a system, not a formula

You know that you don’t know it all! Your ideas sparkle – and you might also struggle with the follow-through. (That’s why a “template” sounds so appealing – structure!)

Here’s some truth for you:

A rigid formula or template will never work – for you. It’s too constricting and doesn’t allow you to access your Big Ideas.

A system, on the other hand, allows you to learn the process of writing a book and then make it your own. I go over my complete (proven) book writing system in my free class…

Once you see the system – which takes into account exactly how your brand of idea alchemy works – you’ll be able to imagine how it can work for your book, your ideas, your message.

See My FULL System for Writing a Book >>> Register here

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Embrace the Ease: Writing in Micro Moments

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the WORK of writing a book.

You’re imagining endless days of being stuck at your computer, fingers frantically typing between bouts of staring out the window at life passing you by. Maybe even imagining carpal tunnel, hunched back, or endless papercuts.

My friend!

Snap out of it!

Nothing about THAT reality sounds fun. It doesn’t sound like it’s full of ease. And it sounds like it will take for-ev-er.

Thankfully, it’s also 100% completely made up. Sure, you CAN write your book that way. But you don’t have to.

You can embrace the ease. It happens when you write in micro moments.

You can embrace the ease of writing your book. It happens when you write in micro moments. Click To Tweet

The best part about writing is that you don’t need fancy tools, a fancy setup, or a large chunk of time. Not to mention, you don’t get dirty, can do it anywhere, and there is zero clean up!

  • Pen and paper
  • Laptop
  • Even the notes app on your phone

What you do need is time.

While you’re out there searching for hours and hours to add into your day or making plans to sacrifice your Saturday afternoon, I’m here to tell you there is another way:

Micro moments.

You can easily and joyfully grab your writing tools and use those tiny moments in your day to work on your book.

  • Parked in the school pick up line.
  • Waiting at a doctor’s office.
  • While nursing the baby.
  • When the pot is coming to a boil for pasta.

Micro moments add up. And when you use just ONE of them in your day, they add up in your week to so many pages written.

And it can be easy!

To learn more about how to get the most out of your micro moments – and write your book without giving up Netflix, your kids soccer games, or locking yourself away – register for my free training “How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!”

In the class, you’ll learn:

  • All you need for your book is to write down your signature talk, right? WRONG! I’ll explain how your book needs to be so much more.
  • If you do this one thing you’ll be GUARANTEED to get MORE writing done… without giving up Netflix, your kids’ soccer games, or locking yourself in your office. (Hint: I’m a busy mom of three!)
  • My PROVEN system to write a message-driven book… so that you can reach the people you’re meant to reach! This is the system I use myself AND it has helped authors around the world to FINALLY start – and finish – their books!
  • AND debunking the Mental Monsters™ that keep you from even getting started… including my brand of Monster Spray that is sure to work. Get this wrong and you’ll NEVER finish your book.

Register Here!

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My Gentlest Tips for Writing More Without Fear

Writing doesn’t SEEM like it should be scary… but it can be!

You’re not composing an email – you’re putting your innermost thoughts on the page FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO READ.

You’re not sending a text – you’re sharing parts of your life’s story in print FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO READ.

You’re not doing a quick Instagram post about your hike – you’re sharing what you KNOW will help someone else and putting it out there FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO READ.

You probably love journaling. You enjoy quiet time in nature. You’re the BEST listening ear to any friend (or stranger) in need.

It isn’t actually the ACT of writing…

It’s the fact that you’re writing FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO READ.

Here are my GENTLEST tips to help you overcome that (very real) fear:

1. Remember that you are loved.

Hold onto that feeling of love. You love your reader (deeply) which is why you’re called to share your message. And they love you just as much.

Your reader ALREADY loves you.

Sink into that feeling of love and let it come out in every word.

 

2. Go gentle with yourself.

This is Big Work that you’re doing. Give yourself extra time and space to process. Take that time in nature. Have a shower by candlelight. Slowly sip the tea before you begin to write.

Writing your book shouldn’t take years – but it will take energy. Be gracious with yourself and meet those needs.

3. Ask for support.

You do not have to do this alone. Getting the right support and mentorship can make all the difference. Through my course, Finally Write Your Book, you’ll have a proven process to lean in to (not figuring it out on your own) PLUS support from your fellow authors so that you never feel alone.

Enrollment for Finally Write Your Book opens soon. But you can get started, today, with an easy action by joining my free training, “How to Finally Write Your Book (5 Steps) in 2023 – Without Sacrificing Your Life!”

Register Here.

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