Lisa Tener

Book Writing Coach

Book Writing Class

18 Benefits of a Writing Retreat

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I love writing retreats for the many benefits they offer. Taking a day or more away from work and other responsibilities to focus solely on creative renewal can do wonders for your writing. Here’s a quick list of what a writing retreat can do for you:

A Writing Retreat RENEWS

  1. Lisa TenerReplenish Your Creative Energy: Everyday life takes energy. So does creativity. By setting aside a day or more for writing and renewal, you restore the essential energy needed to create new work.
  2. Nourish the Muse: Spending time in a beautiful retreat location, such as by the ocean, can also help feed your relationship to the creative muse and give energy to your writing and other creative projects.
  3. New Energy: If you’re feeling stuck or stagnant, a retreat can infuse new energy into your writing by incorporating new practices, trying new ways of engaging with your creativity or allowing the environment (nature, group energy, etc.) to nourish your creativity and your writing in novel ways.
  4. Confidence and Commitment: Investing time and resources in your writing reinforces your belief in yourself and your commitment to your creative work.

A Writing Retreat INSPIRES

  1. Openness: A retreat can open you up to new ways of seeing your writing project and your writing practice, or it can even give birth to an entirely new project.
  2. New Possibilities: Group energy, the environment, the leadership and the exercises incorporated into a retreat can all inspire new directions for your writing.
  3. Focus: The singular focus of a retreat allows you to go deep and focus thoroughly on your writing, which can lead to breakthroughs, insights and a deeper connection to the work
  4. Voice: That deeper connection and focus can, in turn, strengthen your voice as a writer.
  5. Flow: In my retreats and writing workshops, I share powerful practices that quickly induce a flow state, making it easy to write.
  6. Community: A group retreat also supports you through connecting with others on the path.

A Writing Retreat Helps You PRODUCE

  1. Lisa Tener author and book coachWrite More: Luxurious time for retreat results in greater output.
  2. Write Better: Taking the time to focus on writing away from other projects provides the space, time and focus to produce quality work.
  3. Complete Something: Retreats can help you complete something. I’ve used retreats to finish a first draft, for example.
  4. Learn Stuff! You can learn new practices, exercises and tips to improve your creative process and flow.

A Writing Retreat Sets You Up for SUCCESS

  1. Lisa Tener, Book CoachLeave with Tools: Anything you learn on retreat can be incorporated into your regular writing routines and practices.
  2. Evaluate: A retreat gives you time away to assess what’s working and what isn’t, what you need to succeed and find fulfillment.
  3. Plan: Before you leave the retreat, figure out what you need to bring back with you for the future: what gets in the way of your writing and what plans can you put into place for consistency, accountability, making time, generating a flow state, making continued progress, etc.?
  4. Commit: Commit to one new element or a whole new plan upon your return.

Join Me and Robin Kall on August 23 for the Writing Retreat of Your Dreams!

Lisa Tener Robin Kall
Join Robin Kall and me on an unforgettable day!

You may have heard: Robin Kall and I happen to be cooking up a fabulous one-day seaside writing retreat in a sacred spot that is especially conducive to creative flow. We’ll be on a promontory that juts out into the sea in two rock formations, creating private beach coves on two sides and a riverside beach along the third.

Experience the support of exquisite nature, powerful creative practices and an inspiring group of women.

In addition to writing, there will be time to walk along the shore, in the woods or climb the rocks; share your favorite summer read during a delicious lunch; tour the art studio on the premises (optional); meet and enjoy great people; laugh; get your writing and creativity questions answered; renew your commitment to self-care and writing, and revel in your imagination.

Join us and nourish your mind, body, soul and creative muse! Here are all the details and registration.

Why Do You Want to Write a Book?

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Lisa Tener book coach
Why do you want to write a book?

I recently gave a talk to a group of coaches who’d invited me to speak to their creativity discussion group on how to “Bring Your Book to Life(R): 5 Steps to Get Started.”

Early on in my presentation, I asked participants, “Why do you want to write a book?” One participant shared, “I have a great idea.” Which is a good start, but when I dug deeper with him he said, “I want to revolutionize how coaching is done.” Wow. That’s a big idea! And a powerful motivator. What an impact that book might make! And how clarifying to dig to the deeper reasons for writing.

Questions to Ask Yourself for Clarity on “Why Write a Book?”

Rhonda Spencer and book
Helps parents raise resilient kids .

Another participant shared that she wanted her readers to understand her particular perspective and teachings. Okay, but why? What will they get out of it? How might it change their habits, beliefs, trajectories? How might it create transformations in their lives?

She’d shared earlier that she was in a state of transition in her career. Might the book be a bridge to this new work? Might it help guide her way? Might it help her establish herself and create opportunities in this new arena? What did she envision as the impact of her new work on the people she wanted to work with?

Ask yourself, “Why do I want to write a book?” Answer. And then go deeper. What about that _____? Why does that matter? What does it mean to me? Keep asking yourself questions that dig deeper and you’ll get to a more potent “Why?” that will help motivate you.

What to Do When You Feel Stuck

feedback first miracle of writing a book
Helped launch a new consulting biz

Your deeper why will motivate you when the going gets tough. When the passion gets diluted, or you hate what you’ve written, or you question whether anyone will buy this book. Because, no matter how excited you are at the beginning of the writing process, there will be times where your enthusiasm flags.

You might get busy. Tired. Hungry. Distracted. Doubtful. Distraught. Overwhelmed. Confused. Stuck.

Go back to your question: Why do I want to write this book? And continue to dig. Maybe some of your answers have changed. Maybe you’ll discover new reasons or insights. Maybe those reasons why might even suggest changes to the book–a new direction, a different structure, or more subtle shifts.

If you need help getting your book written, consider a book concept consultation (for clarity, direction, structure and for out-of-the-box ideas for an outstanding book. You can also check out my self-study programs and, if you need accountability and inspiration, join me for Get Your Writing Done!

Please share your reasons for writing a book below as a comment, so you can clarify your deeper why and we can cheer you on!

Bring Your Book to Life® in 2022 * Jumpstart Session

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On this call we taught:

author Victoria Dunckley MD with book
Bring Your Book to Life® graduate Victoria Dunckley MD, finds her published book in a local bookstore. Since publishing Reset Your Child’s Brain, Dr. Dunckley has been on Good Morning America TWICE and in multiple summits, documentaries and national media.
  • Get started, stay motivated and finish your exceptional book in record time.
  • Break through any self doubt that’s getting in the way.
  • Unlock your unique voice as a writer.
  • Have fun and stay connected to your inspiration throughout your book-writing journey.

and I share secrets that have helped my clients secure 5- and 6-figure book deals!

If you are interested in exploring my Bring Your Book to Life 10 week program to get your first draft completed in just 10-12 weeks (and an exception book you can be proud of!), find out more here.

Book Title, Audience and How Niche is Nice

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Michael Larsen book proposal coachDo you have questions about your book title, the audience for your book, and how niche or broad to go?

Last December, in the bonus call for my Fast Track Your Book Proposal course,  participants got to ask their questions of Michael Larsen, co-author of How to Write a Book Proposal (now in its 5th edition).

The highlight of the call was when Mike gave specific advice to each person on the call. He had some great ideas for book titles and gave a good reminder that, when coming up with a title, “Don’t sell the problem. Sell the solution.”

Mike reminded us all that every talk, blog post and podcast is “an opportunity to test your book title with your market.”

One conversation centered on the question of how niche or broad to go with the book’s concept, audience and, therefore, title. If you go too broad, you risk the potential of losing your core audience. Yet, a bigger market can mean more sales—IF you are able to reach the larger market and not dilute the message or confuse readers about who and what the book is for.

It reminds me of a client who wrote a terrific book about a system that worked for depression, anxiety and addiction. When we approached his dream publisher, a mid-sized and somewhat niche house for psychology books, the acquisitions editor who bought the book said, “Pick one. In our experience we have trouble selling a book that has too many problems it solves. We do best with books that solve one problem.” He pointed out that a big five publishing house might be able to swing the more diverse audience but their audience would do best with the more niche book.

The author picked the problem the acquisitions editor was most excited about and the book was published successfully. Of course, it’s always important to listen to your intuition. At the same time, do be open to expert advice. I find, in general, that the authors who are flexible and listen to their book coach, literary agent and acquisitions editor, then check in with their gut, are the most successful and fulfilled in their book writing and publishing journeys.

Are you struggling with audience, title or both? Ask questions or share insights below!

 

 

8 More Reasons to Write a Book This Year

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If you’ve follow my blog, you may have read my post or free ebook, 40 Reasons to Write a Book.

8 More!

For the new year, and in preparation for next week’s “Bring Your Book to Life in 2020” free training call, I came up with a few new reasons to write a book. I hope they inspire you.

You can find the obvious reasons (and some nifty, out-of-the-box reasons as well)  in my free downloadable ebook, 40 Reasons to Write a Book.

Here’s some new inspiration:

  1. To get in touch with the essence of your mission and message. There’s nothing like writing a book to help you get clear about your mission and calling. Writing a book informs how to share your wisdom in your truest voice. I’m living that lesson right now as I work on my favorite book yet. Wish me luck. I discuss my latest draft with my book coach on Wednesday!
  2. thriving through uncertaintyTo help people navigate uncertain or scary times: As a career/success coach, Tama Kieves noted the theme of fear coming up more regularly as clients grappled with greater uncertainty in our culture, environment, politics, work and social milieu, and, of course, their personal lives. Her antidote? Thriving Through Uncertainty, an invitation for readers to “walk through this doorway” into “the life you didn’t plan.” Her goal was to give her readers “the right support” for stepping out into uncertainty, to help people realize that what’s in their way, is their way, and to help them discover their most extraordinary answers, even in times of stress.
  3. become your child's sleep coachTo support an under-served group of people: Unlike sleep books for parents of babies and toddlers, Lynelle Schneeberg’s Become Your Child’s Sleep Coach offers a solution to parents of school-aged children. (I can attest to its effectiveness — it empowered my youngest to become a great sleeper!
  4. dads journalTo get people out in nature: Craig Seyfried wrote Dad’s Journal: a Naturalist’s Guide to a Wonderful Life to honor his father and help others discover the adventures awaiting in deep connection with nature. Craig reports how moving it’s been to hear from people who knew and loved his dad. They share how reading about his dad’s journey inspired them.
  5. widows guide to healingTo “change the trajectory of someone’s life”: Kristin Meekof, Author of A Widow’s Guide to Healing spent three years traveling the world (Kenya, United Kingdom, USA) interviewing over 100 widows for her book. “My hope is that someone who reads it will be able to connect with another widow’s story and feel less alone. Also, I included practical advice from experts who work with widows because loss has some very real challenges. I wanted to be able to guide widows through them.”
  6. happy activist bookTo Empower Readers: Leena St. Michael saw how burned out many of her fellow activists were becoming. She wrote The Happy Activist to give them tools to nurture and recharge in order to be effective and sustain their work long term.
  7. To bring in new income streams: I recently heard from someone who just signed a book contract. Among several reasons, she envisions her book as a way to boost a new program she’s developing.
  8. How to Stop Losing YourTo give parents a breather: Dr. Carla Naumburg’s How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids offers parents practical tools and humor to deal with the inevitable challenges of parenting in today’s world.

Inspired to Get Going?

Need motivation to get started and impassioned? Download the free, inspiring ebook, 40 Reasons to Write a Book.

The Power of Community in Writing, Publishing and Promoting a Book

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happy activist bookThis week, I’ve seen the power of community in action as Leena St. Michael reached out to her community and over 200 Activists and people-who-love-Leena signed up to be part of her launch team. The result is that Leena’s book, The Happy Activist, has hit several bestseller lists on Amazon.

It reminded me how powerful it is to do things in community. While writing itself can be a solitary sport (and maybe even not that when we consider the divine guidance that often comes through to help us), so much of the act of creating and sharing a book comes from community.

I see time and again in my book writing programs how people who’ve struggled to write a book for years finally get it done when they commit to it and get the support of a community and a loving, firm guide (yes, that would be me in this instance).

3 Ways to Get Community Support in Writing, Publishing and Promoting a Book

  1. Ask for support from a current community—your women’s or men’s group, a mastermind group or a group of friends.
  2. Join a new group that’s specifically for whatever aspect of book-writing you are entering—writing, publishing or launching.
  3. Create a new group—perhaps at your local library—to support your book writing and publishing journey.

7 Questions to Ask Yourself:

  1. How often do I want to meet? Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?
  2. How far am I willing to travel (or do I prefer a virtual group—no travel necessary)?
  3. Do I want an expert to guide the process or do I prefer to set up my own process and organize a group? (and do I have time for that?)
  4. What kind of focus am I looking for in the group meetings? Do I want the group to focus on feedback on writing? Do I want to use group time to learn more? Do I want to use group time to brainstorm big picture questions?
  5. Do I have time to read other people’s work between meetings and have them read my work, or would I prefer a class or group where we do not read each other’s work between meetings?
  6. What type of writers do I want to connect with? Similar genres? A variety?
  7. What am I looking to find and create in this community? (encouragement, networking, creative brainstorming, sharing of contacts and connections, a launch team?)

5 Things to Look for (or Set Up) in Your Group

book writing program
Participants in My Bring Your Book to Life Program in Narragansett

Whether you search for a writing group to join or set up your own. Here are important things to look for:

  1. Look for alignment of commitment: Make sure you all agree on what you’re willing to put in (reading/not reading, etc.). Don’t agree to a group where you know you can’t meet the commitment.
  2. Look for—or create—a group with clear rules and structure. Without that, you may find that one person can hijack a whole meeting, or you just won’t accomplish what you set out to do.
  3. If you are joining a class or mastermind, make sure the group is structured to focus on the challenges you are facing and wish to address.
  4. If you are starting your own group, consider a guest meeting where you can get a sense of the group members and make sure you are all a good fit for each other. I once was part of a writing group where one member spent a good 15 minutes discussing her health issues each time. A one-time guest visit can help you determine whether someone is  a match before they join. Be kind and compassionate if they are not, and say it gently.
  5. Consider a group that is writing in the same genre. As you all grow in your writing, you’ll have the most to offer each other. Plus, are more likely able to support each other through platform building, launching and other phases!

Looking for a group? Check out my Fall/Winter Book Writing Mastermind!

Do you have any tips or insights to share about creating community to support your writing? Share your comments below.

The Power of Sharing Writing, Even in Draft Form

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Author Helen Deines reading from her book
Helen Deines, sharing writing: reading a passage from her book A Dance with Hummingbirds at Willett Free Library

Are you reluctant when it comes to sharing your writing?

Sharing Writing to Get Feedback

We have a ritual in book writing class. At the end of the call, people are free to leave or to stay on the line to listen to one classmate read a page or so from their rough draft and offer feedback to the writer—sharing what drew them in, phrases that moved them, writing techniques, observations about what works well in the piece, etc.

I often use the opportunity to point out how the author employed certain techniques we learned about in class. Sometimes I share a tip or two for improvements, but, by and large, we focus on what’s already working. Participants love the opportunity to hear each other’s work and to reinforce the writing concepts we discuss in class.

The bigger transformation, though, is what sharing writing does for the emerging author reading his or her piece.

Sharing Writing Can Reinvigorate You

One week that really stuck out for me was when the writer/reader had been struggling with writing about a painful topic. “Why am I putting myself through all this pain again? Am I just increasing the pain in the world to revisit this?” She seriously considered quitting.

She got her answer after sharing her writing on the call. While all our readings were inspirational, after this one you could hear the emotion in each speaker’s voice as classmates shared the impact the piece had on them. Some shared how personal the writing was for them (having been through a related experience). Others shared how they could see how impactful this writing and information would be to readers who found themselves in need of the advice in the book.

Each share affirmed this writer’s calling to write her book. Classmates confirmed that this book was sorely needed. Although the writer expected the material to feel heavy, it became clear that people actually felt lighter. It was as if, in sharing her burden, she’d enabled others to share theirs and not carry their related burdens all alone. It reminds me of that trick where everyone puts a pinky under a heavy dinner table and—lo and behold—when we all raise our pinkies at the same time, our pinkies lift the table into the air.

sharing writing can feel painful
Photo by Yuvraj Singh on Unsplash

Yes, her book had to revisit the painful points in her journey, but it also offered wisdom, experience, support, nourishment, important information along the way. The stories, though covering difficult emotional territory, also spoke to readers’ situations and helped them know they are not alone. That is one of the most basic human needs—to know we are not alone in our suffering. Even more helpful, her book offered hope that, no matter the outcome, one can survive loss and find new meaning in life.

Yes, there can be challenging points along your book writing journey. Sharing writing, reading aloud to supportive others—in a class, on the phone, to a friend—can give you that boost you need to know how important it is for you to get over the challenges and write your book in spite of—no because of—these challenges. The world needs your voice, your wisdom, your words. Share them.

You don’t have to share a super-polished draft of your writing either. Just trust, in that moment, your words, rough as they may be, can move your listener.

sharing writing
sharing writing can shift your perspective Photo by W A T A R I on Unsplash

Don’t wait. Someone is there who can be touched today, who can remind you why you’re writing this book. They can help you move from stuck or even discouraged to hopeful, heartened, healing and reinvigorated, once you realize the effect of your writing on that person.

Sharing Your Writing is a Shift and a Gift!

One classmate said that he saw how the author’s writing would free her readers. This opened up a whole new way of seeing things.

Where she had worried about burdening her readers, after sharing her writing, her classmate saw freedom for her readers. And she realized he was right.

Looking for more inspiration? You may enjoy this post about tapping into creativity and flow.

Writing a Book Proposal: The Long Game

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writing a book proposal helped Karin get her book deal
Karin Esterhammer signing copies of her Nautilus Award winning book So Happiness to Meet You

Yes, writing a book proposal takes fortitude.

I’ve been eating, breathing and dreaming book proposals lately.

Do You Have the Perseverence for Writing a Book Proposal?

In the thick of it, this week, it kept my spirits up to hear from one client who just signed with Hachette (congratulations Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg!) and one who won the Silver Nautilus Award in the Multicultural category (Yay to Karin Esterhammer, author of So Happiness to Meet You: Foolishly, Blissfully Stranded in Vietnam).

The publishing process takes time and patience. We started on Karin’s proposal in October of 2014. We worked on her proposal through several rounds of editing. I encouraged her to do some platform building activities to grow her list to make the book proposal as compelling—and attractive to publishers—as possible.

nautilus award winning book from writing a book proposal
Taking time in writing a book proposal was key to this book’s award-winning succes

Karin signed a book deal with Prospect Park Books in the summer of 2016. Her book was published in July 2017. It won the Nautilus Award May 1, just a few days ago. So, just under 2 years of writing a book proposal and submitting it to get to a book deal and another year (almost) for the award. It’s a long game but well worth it.

Writing a Book Proposal is Not for the Faint of Heart

Sometimes, aspiring authors want to rush the process of writing a book proposal. They do a bit of work on platform and get tired. Or they revise the proposal a couple of times and feel they should be done. This is a competitive field and you don’t want “good enough.” You want chapters that sing—award-worthy chapters. You want to write a book proposal that stands out for how compelling it is. You want publishers to see how well you’ve developed your connections and community when it comes to your intended audience. Yes, the sometimes dreaded “platform” (but platform is your friend; I promise).

my first book
My first book (co-authored) was first published as Good and Mad

When you feel frustrated, tempted to rush the writing of a book proposal, remember the long game. Write yourself a vision statement or create a vision board. That can help you keep the big picture in mind. With The Ultimate Guide to Transforming Anger, it took me and my co-authors seven years to go from having the  idea, and writing a book proposal, to holding a published book in our hands.

Our vison boards not only reminded us of the big picture but helped us see each challenge—in writing the book proposal and pitching it—as a gift. Each setback helped us examine where we were holding ourselves back. Each rejection helped us ask the tough questions and get answers from the generous agents who took the time to answer. When our book first came out we hit a huge setback

my first book second time around
The 2nd version with the Chicago Tribune blurb

when bookstores weren’t willing to stock more than one copy of the book due to its odd dimensions.

We could have thrown in the towel once again. Instead, we pushed our publisher (HCI) to re-publish under a new title and with the right dimensions for  a self-help book. It worked. And we got to use a blurb from our earlier review from the Chicago Tribune on the cover of our new version. Our lemon did end up as lemonade but not overnight!

Though Quicker, This Book Proposal Took Time as Well

after writing a book proposal, Lynelle signed with Hachette
After writing a book proposal that rocked, Lynelle signed with Hachette!

Dr. Schneeberg’s book proposal and consequent book deal also took time (though, thank goodness, not the seven years ours took!). She had already written a version of it in April 2017 when we began working together. I encouraged her to work on her platform, as did the literary agent she sent it to, Linda Konner. A year after we started, when I saw her at the Harvard Medical School CME publishing course, she announced that, with Linda’s excellent representation, she’d just signed a book deal with Hachette Publishing Group.

So, what’s your best bet? Listen to your book coach. Don’t rush it. Be patient and persistent. Work your sample chapters till they sing. Get creative with your platform and promotion plan. Brainstorm with brilliant marketing minds. Network for commitments of blurbs and promotion support. Put everything you can into writing a book proposal before you send it out. Obtain the edge that positions you for success.

[bctt tweet=”Get Your Book Proposal Questions Answered Thursday” username=”LisaTener”]

I’m holding a free Q&A call to answer your book proposal questions this Thursday, May 10 at 1 pm ET, 10 am PT. Sign up here.

And feel free to read more about my upcoming program, Fast Track Your Book Proposal, here. (there’s still one day to get the early bird savings!).

And here is an index to my free articles and posts on how to write a book proposal.

 

Get Moving On Your Book: Free Book Writing Training October 24

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book writing coach lisa tener
Let me help you get moving on your book!

Join me for Free Book Writing Training

Do you find yourself daydreaming about a time when your book is published, out there, making a difference in the world?

Maybe in that daydream you’re speaking to—and inspiring—vast audiences. Or teaching small groups of people to make big shifts.

Perhaps a reader comes up to you after a talk to tell you how the book changed her life for the better.

Ah, such a wonderful fantasy…

You know, it could be your reality. But you need to get moving on your book.

Are You Stuck? Or Up and Running?

Teri Scheinzeit demonstrates the flavor of her book Success without Stress as she kicks back with a glass of merlot. For Teri, Succcess Without Stress means spending a full week of every month doing something fun like traveling or attending folk music camps.

Maybe you’re stuck—unsure where to begin. Maybe it’s been challenging to make the time.

Or perhaps you’ve been waiting for just this moment and you are raring to go (or you’ve started)—you just need a bit of support and guidance.

I have exciting news. On Tuesday, October 24, I’m offering free book writing training called

GET MOVING ON YOUR BOOK

Sign up here

book cover karin esterhammer
Karin Esterhammer was named Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month by University of Dayton for her book which came out in July!

And it’s designed to empower you wherever you are in the process.

I’ll cover:

  • My favorite ways to make time—even if you have none!
  • How to bust through periods of self-doubt, busyness or flagging hopes—and stay inspired and in action.
  • Where to start so that you write the right book—one that matches your vision and goals.

Plus, bring your questions about writing a nonfiction book—how-to, business, self-help, memoir or creative nonfiction—and I’ll do my best to answer.

I want this call to be super valuable to you!

At the end of the free book writing training and Q&A, I’ll share how you can get support to make your book happen, and how you can get the accountability and guidance you need. Yes, I have a program and special offer, for those who are ready to take that step AND if it’s not for you, no worries, you’ll still find the book writing training call valuable for offering clear, practical steps you can take today to get moving on your book—plus inspiration, motivation, guidance and fun!

So, please join me on October 24 at 1:30 pm ET, 10:30 am PT.

Sign up here to Get Moving On Your Book today!

[bctt tweet=”Free Book Writing Training” username=”LisaTener”]

Book Writing Tips: 9 Keys to Clarifying Target Market

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book proposal coach lisa tener
Here to answer your questions about tarket market, clarifying your book concept and how to write a winning book proposal!

Clarifying target market will help you write a book that resonates for your readers—from the title and subtitle to the tone, content, features and structure. With this clarity, your readers can realize, “This book is for me! It’s just what I’m looking for.”

Without such clarity, your book is more likely to get lost in the general noise of publishing, or just not resonate for book buyers (think, too general and not targeted).

Clarifying a target market also makes it much easier to market your book. Without a clear market (or markets) it’s hard to know where to reach your readers—what social media platforms, what radio or TV shows to target, what blogs, etc.

5 Questions to Help You in Clarifying Target Market

questions about target marketTo clarify target market, ask yourself:

1) Who am I most drawn to help or work with?

2) Who is most drawn to me (if you have a business) or who would most likely benefit from what I want to write about?

3) What are my goals and vision for this project?

4) Is there a niche group that is under-served by the books currently out on my topic?

5) Is there a demographic or sub-group that is particularly in need—or desperate—for the information I have to offer?

These questions will start to help you determine target market.

4 Additional Tips for Clarifying a Book’s Tarket Market

6) Blogging can help you get clearer on target market, especially if you invite comments from readers and get to know more about them.

7) Researching market size will help you determine the potential for book sales—numbers that are especially important to agents and publishers. Try census data, professional associations and internet searches as a starting point.

8) Solid demographic and psychographic research will also help you better clarify and understand your market(s).

9) Send out a survey to the people on your mailing list or blog. Ask them more about themselves and what they are looking for in a book on your topic. I use Survey Monkey (it’s free!) but there are lots of good options out there.

Get More Info and Support to Write a Stand Out Book or Book Proposal

For additional information on clarifying target market, read this post where I share whether to target a niche market or a broad market for a book.

clarify book target market and book conceptGet Clear On Your Book Concept: If you are looking for guidance on clarifying your book concept—vision, goals, markets, features, tone and structure for your book—I highly recommend my $97 self-study program, Quick Start to Kick Start Your Book, as an excellent starting place. I continue to hear from authors who felt they ended up with a much better book—and easier, quicker process, because of this course.

Write a Winning Book Proposal: If you’re working on a book proposal, email me for access to the course materials and recordings from Fast Track Your Book Proposal at a substantially reduced rate from the once-a-year course. My insider tips can make your book proposal stand out and much more convincing to busy—and picky—agents and publishers.

questions about target marketGet Answers to Your Questions! Have a question on target markets, book proposals, book concepts or anything publishing and writing related? Ask below and I’ll answer!

Ask Your Book Writing and Publishing Questions—And Get an Answer!

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book writing coach lisa tenerLast week I had planned a teleseminar to answer your book writing and publishing questions, but got hit by a nasty flu.

While recovering, I didn’t want to make you wait any longer for answers to your questions, so we’re turning the call into a blog post!

Many readers already sent in excellent questions during my free book writing teleseminar and I will start by answering those. If you don’t see your question here, please ask as a comment at the bottom of this post and I promise to answer.

Writing a Non-Fiction Book: Self-help and How-to

Rose asked, “What is the first step?”

Rose, I always have my authors start by clarifying their vision and goals for the book, particularly with how-to and self-help books.

Another recent product of my Bring Your Book to Life®Program

Shari asked, “How to stay focused, streamlining the information with examples?”

Shari, I suggest you work from a detailed outline. That will help you stay focused. Perhaps try adding the examples later so that first you get the flow of the book and then you can decide where examples would fit well and help you illustrate your points.

Barbara asked, “How to create content that is informative but also entertaining so you can attract and maintain readers’ interest?”

Knowing that Barbara’s book is about health, I would suggest a few things:

  1. Make it conversational. Pretend you are writing a letter to one specific person. Imagine that person and write to him/her. Your writing will naturally be more conversational.
  2. Put the super-technical stuff in sidebars. Some readers get overwhelmed or lost with the nitty-gritty. By putting it in sidebars, you give them permission to skip parts that certain other readers will require.
  3. Add stories: If appropriate to your book, add some anecdotes with quirky details and “color.” We learn from stories.
  4. Add other features such as cartoons, charts, graphs, images/icons, etc. that help break things up visually and intellectually.
  5. Use playful section headlines, chapter titles and feature names. Alliteration or a play on words can work well.
  6. Ask your inner muse! This is one of my favorite exercises for being creative or getting clarity about direction.

Leslie asked, “How should I best include my personal stories in my nonfiction book?”

Carol Lambert’s stories about women in her groups helps readers experience insights through others who have been through similar experiences.

Leslie, it sounds like you are talking about a self-help or how-to book and stories will make it come alive. As I mentioned to Shari, start with a detailed outline and go from there. You may want to first write the informational parts and then decide which stories will illustrate those best. I often have clients work with color coded index cards in a systematized way to come up with structure and organize anecdotes.

Revision, Editing, Accountability and Getting an Agent

Dawn says that she has been working with an editor and now needs to make revisions but that now the loose ends are swimming in her head. She wonders if she should look for an agent to help her get clarity, accountability, a plan of action and ongoing support. And, “Is this even realistic? How can I get one while still working on the manuscript?”

Wow, great questions, Dawn. First, I wonder if you need an editor who is more of a writing coach, so that you can get the planning support and accountability you need. Some editors offer more support while others will merely send you their revisions and feedback.

Knowing you need more than that, I would suggest you find that in an editor/writing coach or look for a supportive program.

Many people like my Bring Your Book to Life® Program for the structure, plan, accountability, support, community and one on one feedback from me. If that’s not workable for you however, see if you can find a more modest course or program that would fill your needs.

Will an agent offer the kind of accountability and support you are looking for? There are all kinds of agents and some are certainly more hands on than others. Most agents are not going to be looking for an author who needs lots of handholding to get revisions done, though.

books for gifts
The book proposal for The Creativity Cure resulted in a 6-figure book deal!

In addition, you ask whether finding an agent is realistic if you have not completed the book/revisions. YES! It certainly can be. You need a book proposal. Is that the right step for you? In this post, I answer the question, “Should I write a book proposal?”

In this post, I cover the steps for How to Write a Book Proposal.

First, you would complete and polish the proposal and have it all ready to go. Then you’d send a query letter to the agent to ask if they want to see the proposal. An unsolicited proposal ends up in the slush pile, so do not send without asking.

In terms of how realistic is it, though, agents are looking for fresh ideas for a large and hungry audience and an author with a significant platform (following, online reach, etc.). See the above mentioned article on whether to write a book proposal for more details.

Rita asked, “How do I decide on a title when there are so many topics covered in the book?”

Rita, it sounds like you may have more than one book there! You should be able to describe your book in one phrase or theme. Answer the question: What is my book about? and answer it as briefly as possible. If you can’t, it will be hard to attract readers.

As to title, if you are in the midst of writing, look at your chapters and find a coherent theme. Your title or subtitle should capture that theme and the reason readers would want to read this book. If you are just starting, I would suggest with clarifying your vision and goals and creating a vision statement. Without that, you’re more likely to meander.

My self-study program, Quick Start to Kick Start Your Book can help you get started writing a self-help or how-to book step-by-step. It includes exercises for determining your vision and goals, writing a vision statement, clarifying who your readers are and much more.

Parris asked, “How do I know when my editor thinks of me as her cash cow?”

Yikes. There are two possibilities here. 1. Your editor has not been communicating as well as he or she should about the level of developmental editing and copy editing needed. or 2. You already know the answer or you wouldn’t be asking. This editor is taking advantage of you.

So, which is it? Sometimes editors assume you understand that it takes more than one edit to make a book strong. Most of the best books have probably gone through many revisions. Now that you know this, ask your editor to clearly communicate to you how many more edits he or she thinks it needs and what that cost will be.

If you feel a strong knot in your stomach, however, or just a sense you are being taken advantage of, trust your gut.

Questions About Writing a Memoir

Elaine said, “I need a dramatic opening and cannot come up with it yet.”

A dramatic opening is a good instinct. Make a list of all the high-tension points in your story. What might draw people in? Or perhaps the perfect opening hasn’t happened yet.

Don’t wait. Start writing in the middle and come back to the beginning to see what clarity comes when you near the end of the book. You can also try my free “Meet Your Muse” exercise and ask your muse.

[bctt tweet=”Self-Publishing Pros and Cons ” username=”LisaTener”]

a plant based life book cover
Cookboooks can be especially expensive to self publish, so I would recommend going for a traditional book deal if you can.

Carol asked, “Would you self publish or look for a publisher, and why for each?” Ann Patty also asked how to decide whether to self publish or “try to get a book contract.”

My recent article, “Should I Write a Book Proposal? 7 Questions to Ask for Clarity” can take you through the questions to ask. It also walks you through pros and cons through these questions.

Bridget asked for the pros and cons of self-publishing with a larger company. Here are the things to be careful of with any self-publishing company, no matter the size:

a) No matter what they say, the majority compete on price, not quality. And they usually contract out for editing, proofreading and design. If you get a quality editor or proofreader you are extremely lucky. It’s uncommon. Usually, there are many errors.

b) Don’t expect to get much PR. Most self-publishing companies make it sound like they will do a great deal to publicize your book, such as sending out a press release. That press release is usually guaranteed to do nothing. Nada. You’re likely best off hiring your own quality editor, designer, publicist, book launch manager, etc.

Are there exceptions to the rule? Yes. I recently met a new author, Sandra Coletta, author of The Owl Approach to Storytelling. The book cover was gorgeous and she gushed about her publisher, Motivational Press. I peeked inside and again was impressed by the professionalism of the inner design. I do know Sandy hired her own independent editor, a move I recommend.

I also know that Inspired Living Publishing offers publishing packages to authors and Linda Joy does an impressive job of getting her authors on Amazon bestseller lists.

So, can you find self-publishing companies that do an excellent job. How? First, I suggest you Google “Reviews [Company Name] ” and see if you can find independent reviews for the company. Also, find some authors who used that company and ask them what they liked and what they wished they could change, or any advice they have in working with that publisher. Would they hire them again?

Permissions

Amber asked, “Are there certain permissions that need to be obtained to discuss specific people, names, places and things. For instance, if I am referring to social media, can I say “Facebook”?

Yes, you can refer to Facebook or the name of a company. However, sometimes a brand requires a trademark sign next to it, which can look pretty goofy in a novel, but fine in a nonfiction book.

If you are referring to people, you may want to give them a heads up, as a relationship builder. Can you be sued for saying something about a person? There are instances where, say, an ex-spouse sues for defamation of character. When in doubt, consult an attorney.

Note, the term “permissions” tends to be used for permission to reprint lyrics or a longer excerpt. Often, a payment is made to get the permission.

Book Sales

Readers of Fashion Feng Shui often read the book in one sitting and immediately signed up for a $3,500 training!

Hugh asked, “Do wannabe authors often have an inflated concept of how much money a published author might receive? What is the realistic way to think about the cost of producing one’s book versus the return it is likely to bring back?”

Hugh, these are excellent questions and ones I try to address with all my clients. If you are investing in your book for editing, publishing, marketing, etc. you may not actually get all that money back in book sales. Books are not an expensive, high margin item.

That’s why I encourage authors to have a business plan for their books.

Consider what activities you can do that will bring in money. For example, teaching online courses related to your book’s subject can help sell more books while bringing in income, rather than costing money, AND book sales can also support course enrollment, further increasing income and the impact of your message.

Pen Name

Golde asked, “What is involved with using a pen name and does a publisher help with that decision?”

Golde, you can just use a pen name. However, nowadays that is less common because it can hinder reaching readers. Social media is one of the best ways to reach readers, but if you are using a pen name, you can’t really be on Facebook or LinkedIn anonymously. And you’ll need a whole new and separate Twitter identity.

Okay, there were more questions, but I’m going to need to sign off for now. Just add your question as a comment below and I promise to answer!

And, if you have questions about my upcoming Bring Your Book to Life® Program, there are a handful of seats left, feel free to ask about that as well.

How to Write, Despite: What My Thai/Indian/Nepalese/Chinese/Canadian/British/Australian Students Taught Me About Writing in Thailand

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Mosquito arsenal
My mosquito arsenal

I made it to Thailand to teach book writing—despite my fears of traveling as a woman alone in a foreign city where I do not even speak the language. Several times, I wondered if I should really go:

  • It’s rainy season; I might catch some exotic illness from a mosquito bite!
  • I might get lost and wander down the wrong–dangerous–road.
  • It could be terribly lonely to spend so much time on my own.
  • How will I ever overcome the jet lag to teach?
  • Can I even survive 22 or more hours of flying?

Don’t get me wrong. I felt excited, grateful, awed that I had the opportunity to visit the exotic land I had first seen—and dreamed of—on the posters of a Thai restaurant near Manhattan’s Bowery district in my pre-teen years.

But fear could have stopped me.

I’m glad it didn’t. Here are just a few snippets of the gifts that came when I transcended my fears:

Reclining Buddha
Reclining Buddha

  • The opportunity to view—and be awed and inspired by—the grand, elaborate and exquisite Buddhist temples, along with the sublime Buddha sculptures, exotic architecture and beautiful paintings adorning the many buildings and courtyards of each temple.
  • The most delicious food I’ve eaten in my life: I especially loved the coconut soups with their curries, basil, lemongrass, mushrooms and slices of sweet, crunchy lotus root.

    Well fed writers
    Well fed writers
  • My own writing breakthroughs, as I rose each morning at 4 or 5 a.m. to fulfill my writing commitments I made in the workshop!
  • Shopper heaven—exquisitely woven Thai silks, exotic gifts for my family and friends, lovely postcards and notecards—all at bargain prices with my strong US dollars. I know, it’s a bit materialistic, but, as someone who loves a beautiful bargain, Bangkok met my desire for quality and price. I can’t wait to see each person’s face when as they receive their special gifts.
  • And, most importantly, the opportunity to teach—and learn from—an incredibly diverse group of international business executives, executive coaches, personal development trainers and even a bestselling author from Vietnam—all brought together by the awesome team at NLP Top Coach, who had invited me!

Bring Your Book to Life® participants
Bring Your Book to Life® participants

People had flown in from Shanghai, Myanmar, Vietnam for this workshop, and their nationalities of origin brought an additional five or six cultural contexts to the class. I learned how we are way more similar than different from each other; how easy it is to find common ground, even when language seems a barrier; how easily a tribe, a community, can form and contribute to each other’s growth and creativity. The international aspect seemed to make that connection easier, not harder!

  • From Howard, a corporate crisis-buster/commercial consultant originally from London but now based in Bangkok, I learned that acronyms can offer an amusing and curiosity-inspiring set up that draws your reader in.
  • From Danuvasin, Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the prestigious NIDA Business School in Bangkok, I learned that a Thai foot massage—WHILE YOU WRITE!—can relax your mind and stimulate your thinking!
  • From Sateesh, what a difference one word can make: “Lovingly” transformed his vision statement from an 8.5 to a 9.7. One more small change and he had a 10 (on the inspiration scale) before he left on Sunday.
  • And from Sebastien, I was reminded of the importance of generosity—in our lives, our words and our writing.

We all supported each other in our writing commitments and many of us got up at 4 or 5 in the morning to write. HEAVEN!group

Oh, there were so many lessons, big and small, and I promise I will soon have a new vehicle to truly share this Bangkok adventure with you. But in the meantime, as long as we are on the theme of transcending fear, here are a few thoughts about fear and writing:

As writers, we often face—or try to run from—our fears:

  • Fear of the blank page
  • Fear of revealing too much of yourself
  • Fear of not revealing enough
  • Fear of ridicule
  • Fear of success

When we face our fears—or “feel the fear and do it anyway”—we are rewarded for our efforts. No writing gets done if we allow fear to rule us.

[bctt tweet=”Here are 4 ways to skirt past fear:” username=”LisaTener”]

  • Do something you love first. Doing something you enjoy can put you in a heightened state where there is less space for fear to control you. In Bangkok, I did my Qigong meditation to put me in a calm and happy state. What do you love to do? What makes you happy?
  • Get support. Meet a friend at a café or library for writing time. The presence of another person can often help you get past your fear. In class, several people commented how helpful—and easy— it was to be writing with others. Who can be your “buddy”? Can you meet by email, phone or Skype, or is face-to-face more powerful for you?
  • Make a commitment. Your commitment to another person can lessen the fear. In my mind, I had been “too busy to write” for several weeks before traveling to Thailand. Of course, for a writer whose lifeblood is writing, “no time” is just Fear in one of its many disguises. By making a commitment to the class participants, I had to write. I couldn’t be in integrity and not write. Believe me, fear showed up in the morning, but I wrote anyway. And, gosh, am I grateful!
  • Get in a Habit. In Bangkok, my groove means going to bed by 9 or 10 and wake up around 5 to write. In Rhode Island, I may need a new plan. I do know that writing by habit makes it so much easier to write in the face of fear. So, feel free to call me on it when I get home and ask me what new habit I’ve come up with (there’s commitment, again!).

Here’s the thing:

Fear is small-minded and weak. It’s not even a worthy opponent for your fabulous Self. Once you’re writing, fear is powerless to stop you. The 700 pound gorilla is smaller than an ant. So, find your way to write “despite.” Please comment on what works for you.

………….

rehydrating-with-coconut-waterWhile writing this post, I received an email from Luke Salway, General Manager of NLP Top Coach, the company that invited me to teach book writing in Thailand. Apparently, we’re traveling to lunch tomorrow near the trendy EmQuartier.

On the back of his motorcycle.

If you’ve experienced the Bangkok traffic and noticed the huge dents in practically every taxicab around, if you’ve almost been run over by a car more than once, you’d know that it’s a bit fear-inducing to ponder this next adventure.

Now, Luke offered me an out. But he also promised to drive carefully.

How can I write about fear and do otherwise? Especially my last day on this exotic adventure.

“Do you have an extra helmet?”
“Yes.”
“You’re on.”

Yes, one more adventure to write about.

Write a Self-Help or How-To Book this Summer

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writing a how to book by the seaI’m guessing you want to write a self-help book or how-to book that transforms people’s lives.

Your Book Writing Dream

Maybe you’ve been picturing yourself out on your deck, in a hammock, on the beach or in your yard with a lemonade or iced tea or—my favorite—gingerberry kombucha.

You can see yourself writing away in your spiral notebook. It’s almost like taking dictation, the way those words just flow from your favorite pen. Or maybe you’re on an ipad or laptop. That works, too.

It’s your fantasy, after all. And I’ll let you fill in the blanks—where you are, how it feels, what inspires you. In fact, you may want to take a little time for that fantasy when you finish reading this post.

However, before we go into dreamland, I’d also like to give you some solid advice to help you get that self-help or how-to book written this summer.

This summer! Imagine that.

[bctt tweet=”5 Tips to Write a Self-Help or How-To Book this Summer” username=”LisaTener”]

Here are 5 steps I know will help you turn that fantasy into reality:

  1. Schedule the time: That’s right. Put it in your calendar and treat it like a sacred meeting or a hot date. You don’t want to end up like the lovely woman who left her job to write her book, procrastinated for 7 weeks and then got another job in the same industry she had sworn to leave forever! Just put it in your calendar and write when you say you will. Take it a day at a time and you can be the one who didn’t need to leave her day job. Write a little each day (or even a few days a week) and you can have a first draft by the end of summer (especially if you do number 5).

  2. inspired author vision
    Create Your Vision Statement!

    Get in touch with your vision: If you downloaded my free Inspired Author Support Kit, you have some guidance on creating a vision statement. Read your vision statement at least once a day. And if you don’t have one yet, you can get the Inspired Author Support Kit here.

  3. journal for writing a self help book
    A fun journal I found on Etsy

    Make it fun: Think about how you can luxuriate in your book writing endeavor. Can you write out in nature? In a favorite spot? Can you create a little ritual around writing? Buy a new journal? Wear special clothing? By making it fun and playful, you’ll want to keep coming back to it. Plus you’ll start off in a great mood.

  4. Make a commitment: When we commit in some way, we are more likely to follow through. You can commit by taking a course designed to help you write a self-help or how-to book (more about that in a minute), hiring a coach or even finding an accountability partner.
  5. Get expert guidance: Guidance will not only help you get started, it will help you write the right book (the one that matches up with your vision and goals and has a wonderful impact on your readers). Getting guidance from someone who’s been there will also save you lots of time that you might otherwise spend futzing around trying to figure things out on your own. And you’ll likely write a better book when you get a bit of up front guidance.

[bctt tweet=”Summer School for the Independent, Yet Savvy, Writer” username=”LisaTener”]

Is this you?

  • You don’t necessarily need a ton of guidance. You just want to write.
  • Yet, you don’t want to waste your time, either. You want to make sure you’re writing the right book from the get-go.

If so, I have a special opportunity to offer you this summer that will hit your sweet spot. It’s a self-paced program to write your self-help or how-to book. And I’m adding a few extras—at no extra cost—to sweeten the pot and help ensure that you get valuable individual, professional input from the beginning.

Ready? It’s time for Steps 4 and 5: Commitment and Guidance!

I’m offering a special version of my Inspiration to Author in 8 Weeks Program (and, yes, you can speed that up to 4 weeks or relax the schedule to make it 10 or 12 or even more—whatever works best for you. It truly is self-paced).

This offer is only available to my blog readers and newsletter subscribers (that’s you!).

You can read all about it in a minute, but I want to be sure I tell you what special bonuses I’m providing this summer when you sign up July 18.

When you buy Inspiration to Author in 8 Weeks by midnight on July 18, you will also receive:

  • One hour-long consultation with me to clarify your book concept.
  • A detailed questionnaire to help both of us prepare for the consultation ahead of time.
  • Feedback on 15 pages of writing, along with a customized editing plan based on your writing sample.
  • Feedback on an abbreviated (1-2 page) outline.
  • Feedback on your working title, market and book concept.

This is the first time I am offering all these extras together with Inspiration to Author in 8 Weeks, but I wanted to make sure I give you the guidance and support to make your book writing adventure a success this summer.

I want you to end the summer having written a first draft of a truly wonderful self-help or how-to book.

So,

  1. Read all about Inspiration to Author in 8 Weeks here.
  2. Feel free to return to this post as a reminder of the wonderful add-ons you will receive by signing up before midnight on July 18.
  3. Feel free to email me to get your questions answered.
  4. If it’s a fit, commit! Register! Get the guidance you need to complete your amazing book this summer.

Feel free to ask questions as a comment below as well. I look forward to helping you become a successful author.

 

 

Why Taking a Summer School Class… to Write a Book…Is All About…FREEDOM

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gingerheadshot
Book Writing Coach Extraordinaire Ginger Moran

Guest Post by Ginger Moran

At this time of year it is good to enjoy friends, family, and food. And, if you don’t have dogs who are afraid of them, the fireworks are a lot of fun.

I like to reflect, too, on what those fireworks are about–a festive echo of the first shots fired in the Revolutionary War, a war that costs many thousands of British and American lives and changed the world forever.

It wasn’t easy.

Was it worth it?

You’d be hard pressed to find an American today who says no.

Writing a book is about freedom.

Freedom of expression, freedom of having a vision finally in the real world, freedom to increase your outreach and boost your business, freedom to share your wisdom with the world.

Freedom isn’t easy—but it is LIBERATING!

And for many of us, that is worth every bit of the effort. Having your own book in your hands, I have witnessed many times, is very much like having your baby in your hands—a sense of life beginning, possibilities finally realized, a whole lifetime of joy, challenges, learning, and celebration ahead of you.

So if you’re up for the challenge–ready to become free—join us this summer to write your  book and find out how easy the process becomes with the guidance of an experience writing teacher (who has life coaching tools to get you past any internal obstacles), the structure of a proven program, and the camaraderie of your fellow writers.

The fireworks of freedom await!

PS I’ve written a blog on my site today answering the top three questions people ask about writing: please stop by, read and comment!

Note from Lisa Tener: Ginger is teaching the Bring Your Book to Life Program this Summer. It’s interesting that Ginger described your book as a baby, because I feel that way about my Bring Your Book to Life Program, too–I would not have imagined handing it over to someone else to teach–that is, until Ginger came along.

Ginger is an inspiring and passionate teacher, more learned than I am in the craft of writing and a talented coach who can help people with the inevitable breakthroughs needed to reach that freedom she talks about in this post. So, if you’re taking her words seriously and thinking about a book, I do encourage you to check out our Summer School for Book Writers 2013 featuring the award winning Bring Your Book to Life Program, as taught by the fabulous Ginger Moran. This week only, you can save 24% with semi-early bird pricing.

Finding Yoga in Writing and Writing in Yoga

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Guest Post by Stephanie Hrehirchuk

Stephanie Hrehirchuk
Stephanie Hrehirchuk

I was struggling to write the story of my year in yoga and how it transformed me, when Lisa crossed my path. Her Bring Your Book to Life program offered me the structure and guidance to finally pull my manuscript together. Thinking I had a good handle on yoga and my daily practice, I had no idea how much Lisa’s program would challenge me to employ all that I’d learned.

Completing the 1st draft of my manuscript was like completing a challenge pose in yoga, a particularly daunting, advanced, intimidating, uncomfortable pose. Like a challenge pose, it’s completion gave me a new perspective, a honed practice, a great sense of accomplishment and the courage, confidence and poise to expand my practice further.
 
I challenge you to tackle your challenge pose, and offer 5 common insights I found from yoga and Bring Your Book to Life:
 
1. Set an intention. What do you wish to accomplish? Your intention sets the tone for your practice. Just like stepping on my mat, if my intention is unclear, my practice may follow suit. Lisa helped me get crystal clear on my intention for my book, it’s message, audience and form and encouraged me to commit it to paper and revisit it daily. Once you set a clear intention, hold it, for the duration of the practice.
 
2. Commit. Back yourself and the Universe backs you as well. Waffle on a commitment and finding support and success can prove challenging. I don’t sort of, kind of go into a head stand, thinking maybe it’ll happen on it’s own. I commit to headstand, to learn the foundation of the pose, the structure and progress, facilitated by a knowledgable teacher. Of course spontaneous successes arise, most stem from a committed practice. I committed to Lisa’s program, financially, physically – through my time commitment, emotionally by letting those close to me know what I planned to accomplish, and whole-heartedly as a gift to myself.
 
3. Show up. Practice is called practice for a reason and a daily practice yields deeper results than an occasional one. Every day I step on my mat my body is different. Some days I am sore and stiff in places, my thoughts may be busy, scattered or day-dreamy, my mood may be frustrated, happy or impatient. One thing is certain; if I step on my mat and show up for myself and my practice, I will feel better when I step off my mat. Lisa’s program encouraged me to show up every day, moving one step closer to my goal no matter how much resistance or how many excuses surfaced. 
yoga2
 
4. Breathe. Intention set, commitment made, showing up daily; everything is in place to support you, all you can do is breathe. This is key. If I hold my breath as I try to force myself into the posture, I’m met with substantially more resistance than if I place my attention on my breath and relax into the practice. I step on my mat, not looking at the end game, not intimidated by how far I need to progress in a relatively short period of time, but by taking a long, slow, deep breath and seeing where the day’s practice takes me. Each time resistance came during Lisa’s program, it met with another deep breath and another. I’d like to say resistance disappeared but it did not. What disappeared were my excuses to not step onto my mat and continue my practice each day.
 
5. Trust. It’s a biggie. If trusting the Universe is too woo-woo for you than trust yourself, trust your determination and tenacity, trust you have value to add to the world and trust in your ability to choose the right coach for the job. The Universe may have handed me Lisa but I researched her well and ensured I was choosing the best teacher for this particular practice. I trusted myself to show up every day and I trusted Lisa’s program to help me learn the proper form as she nudged me into position. I paid less and less attention to the inner critic who often rants as I write and chose instead to trust my practice.
 

Stephanie performing yoga in hawaii
Stephanie performing yoga in hawaii

Like stepping onto my mat, every day I write I learn something about myself. I may fall out of some poses and soar into others. Some days may feel like I’ve never set foot on a mat while others feel as if I was born to be there. Tears may fall, laughter may explode, poetry may happen but one thing is certain, I am always grateful I showed up for myself. With Lisa’s help I completed a particularly intimidating challenge pose and built a strong foundation in the process. May you rise to your own challenge pose, meet and complete it with guts and grace.

Namasté,
Stephanie
Stephanie Hrehirchuk is a life-long wellness enthusiast with 15 years of experience in personal training, nutrition and wellness. She currently owns atONE Holistic Living, in Alberta, Canada, and provides group and private yoga, meditation, alternative healing and holistic coaching. Her background includes fitness, nutrition, yoga, meditation, herbology, ayurveda and flower essences. Stephanie is a writer, master level reiki practitioner, wife and mother of two young children.
It’s not too late to register for Lisa’s Bring Your Book to Life Program.  E-mail Lisa today if you’d like to explore whether this award winning program is for you.

Publishing Beyond Your Wildest Dreams: An Interview with Carrie Barron

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carrie barron writing coach lisa tener
Carrie Barron and me at the fabulous book launch party for The Creativity Cure.

As we near the date of Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course (March 14 – 16), I’m excited about seeing colleagues again and even meeting some of my current clients whom I have not yet met in person. I recommend the course to almost anyone writing a book about health or well being—it’s a fabulous place to meet agents and publishers—and to learn so much about the publishing industry in a short period of time.

Authors get feedback about their book ideas—and often end up with a much better sense of both what their  book is (what I call the book concept) and what they need to do to become successfully published.

creativity cure cover
Author Carrie Barron and I met at the Harvard Medical School Publishing Course when this book was the germ of an idea.

Today, I’ve interviewed Dr. Carrie Barron—co-author with her husband Alton of The Creativity Cure, which was published by Scribner and came out in hardcover last Spring. I met Carrie at the Harvard course a couple years ago and began working with her on her book concept and book proposal. Her story may sound like a bit of a fairy tale—so put on your glass slippers…

Lisa: Why did you want to write a book?

Carrie: I spent many years scribbling thoughts and ideas on pads and blank documents and wanted to organize them into something. I was fascinated by creativity all my life–read about it, researched it, lived it as a former singer. In my private practice as a psychiatrist I was struck by how people’s moods and feeling about living could dramatically improve if they were involved in a creative process.

Lisa: Were there specific goals that motivated you? Opportunities you hoped the book would open up?

Carrie: I wanted the opportunity to write because I enjoy it so much.   Writing is a way to explore, to understand, to gain perspective and even to heal. Also, I felt that this information could be helpful to people who were trying to find ways to feel better–less depressed, less anxious–and not having any luck. Creativity has been called “the original anti-depressant.”

Lisa: When we met at Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course you’d mentioned that you’d been playing with the ideas for a book you were calling, “I’m Creative But I Can’t Create.” Can you say more about where you were with the book when we met?

Carrie: Before Harvard Medical School’s publishing course I had many, many pages but no organization.  I had titles, essays, ideas, inspiration but not a coherent package. I didn’t know how to write a proposal. I didn’t have an outline.

Lisa: What did you want to accomplish by attending the Harvard course?

Carrie: I wanted to turn an idea into a product, to have an effective method of writing- meaning a free, letting go part and a structured, crafting part and to learn how to balance them.  I wanted to have a writing life and to be able to maintain it. I also wanted to learn about the whole world of writing and publishing because while writing it self is joyful, getting it out there is a completely different thing.

Lisa: What did you get out of the course at Harvard?

al carrie jeanne, harvard
Authors Alton and Carrie Barron with their agent Jeanne Fredericks. You can meet Jeanne at the course this March.

Carrie: I learned an enormous amount about writing from the editors and writers themselves.  I realized the importance of promotion and social media and how to integrate this into the process in a way that feels organic. I met editors and agents with a wealth of useful information. I met many people with interesting ideas. The most surprising things I learned were that I could handle “pitching,” that the idea does not have to be perfect and that collaboration with the right person can make all the difference. I met you, Lisa, and Jeanne Fredericks, who became my literary agent. You helped me clarify my book concept and craft my book proposal and Jeanne became our agent—and negotiated a six figure book contract with Scribner. It has been thrilling to work with the Scribner team.

Lisa: Any exciting opportunities that have come out of being a published author?

Carrie: So many things!  We signed with Scribner.  We have had about thirty- five appearances including talk radio, panels, lectures and presentations. We’ve have contributed to articles published in The Atlantic Monthly, Parade Magazine and others, have a regular blog on Psychology Today, spoke at The Maker Faire, the Zoomer Conference in Toronto, on the Dr. Alvin Jones radio show and recently participated on a panel on Creativity and Mental Health at the Cactus Café at UT Austin. The talks are exciting—people ask  fascinating questions that really make us think.  Other writing opportunities have arisen.

Lisa: Like?

Carrie: We’ll be collaborating on some interesting projects that will focus on using Your Own Two Hands and the value of True Connections to other people. The paperback is coming out in the summer. Frankly, I realized all my goals and beyond.

Carrie and Alton
The authors of The Creativity Cure taking their own advice and spending time outdoors.

Lisa: Anything you’d like to say to someone who’s considering attending Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course March 14-16 in Cambridge, MA?

Carrie: This course changed the entire course of my career. It was fun, informative and stimulating from start to finish. If any doctor has dreamed of writing, the HMS course is the place to go.  And don’t forget to sign up for the pitch fest because it is the best preparation for what’s to come!

Tap into Creativity: An Interview with Dylan Klempner

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book writing coach lisa tenerI love my work as a book writing and publishing coach. Inevitably I meet people who are up to such interesting things–so I’m always learning from them. Sometimes, what they have to teach is particularly relevant to someone writing a book, as is the case with Dylan Klempner who is an artist in residence at Shands Hospital’s Arts in Medicine Program and has just launched the program 31 Days to a More Creative You.

Here I interview Dylan more about the benefits of creativity–for anyone and for writers, in particular. Dylan shares his expertise, insights and tips.

Lisa: Let’s start with health, since that’s such a big part of what you do, Dylan. What are some of the health benefits of creativity? 

Dylan: Studies show that being creative helps us relax.  Writing, painting, dancing and singing are excellent stress busters.  But the health benefits of creativity and art making go well beyond dealing with the effects of stress.  I work at a university affiliated hospital where the arts are used as a companion therapy in just about any illness you can think of.
klemper_dylan-17-smallLisa:  What are some specific benefits?

Dylan: The arts reduce pain levels.  Playing and listening to music, for example, is a powerful way to control pain.  Dance is used successfully in our hospital to help Parkinson’s patients maintain mobility.  Writing and painting can help you make meaning out of crisis.  Viewing visual art is also a powerful tool for disease prevention.  It can also soothe and restore us. 
 

Lisa: What are some of your creative practices? 

Dylan: Art is a primary way I connect with other people, so I practice a variety of art forms that help me do that.  I’m mainly a writer, but I also paint, take photographs, and play drums. 

 
Lisa: How have your other creative practices affected or enhanced your writing? 

Dylan: Creativity is a like a muscle that grows with exercise.  I try to follow the invitation I give others, which is to make art for 15 minutes per day.  If you can’t do 15 minutes, do 5.  If you can’t do 5, do 1.  The process of making art every day has had a powerful impact on my ability to bring creativity into other areas of my life–like writing–when I need it most. 
 
Lisa: That’s a wonderful way to put it and I couldn’t agree more about creativity being a muscle. Can you share a creativity enhancing exercise that works especially well for writers? 
 
Dylan:  I always recommend journaling. Maintain a steady flow of words.  Keep your hand moving across the page, your fingers across the keyboard.  I often use journaling to warm-up or cool-down during prolonged writing sessions.
 
Lisa: Can you give us one more creativity tip for writers?
 
Dylan:  When you think you’ve run out of ideas, describe images that relate to the project you’re working on.  This process works whether you’re writing a how-to book, a novel or an office memo.  For a piece of fiction, describe the scene or your character’s physical appearance in great detail.  For nonfiction, recall what’s most important about the message you’re trying to deliver.  You’ll have to edit out what’s not relevant later, of course.  The goal is to become as intimate with your topics as you can.  That’s how you learn how to say what you want to say.

Lisa: Tell us a little about 31 Days to a More Creative You  as well as the free e-31DaysImageFinalcourse you just launched.

Dylan: The e-course is designed to help you access your expressive voice and overcome creative blocks.  In 31 Days to a More Creative You, you receive a month-long program of creativity-building activities. You will paint, write poetry, dance, sing, and more.  I also show you how to enjoy the creative work of others. I help you find new music tailored to your individual tastes and offer tips to make your next visit to an art gallery or museum more enjoyable. The free course is a mini-version of it.

Lisa: I can see how this could help writers just tap into their creativity more and free up their writing. Why did you create the program? Was it personal?

Dylan: Two reasons: First, I wanted to give people simple art making instructions because I know how essential the arts are to our well being.  I also wanted to honor the outstanding teachers I’ve had the privilege to work with over the past several years.  I wanted to “pay forward” their wisdom and advice.  In the process, I’m learning a tremendous amount from my students about art’s capacity to help us heal, cope with difficult circumstances, and express ourselves.  So the project has had this unintended reciprocal effect. 
 

Lisa: What benefits might writers expect to get from your course (both as writers and in general)? 

Dylan: If I’ve learned anything since I began taking myself seriously as a writer about twenty years ago, it’s that there’s more to writing than writing.  What I mean is, you can write all day without saying anything important to you or anyone else.  But that’s unfulfilling.  I’m not talking about inspiration–which I actually think is a by-product of simply showing up again and again to do the work and asking big questions.  Writers need to figure out what they want to say, then find the means to say it. 

Lisa: How do you feel writers can “figure out what they want to say”?

Dylan: We do that by developing skills that nourish our writing lives.  We need to learn to see, to be present and in our bodies, and to use language.  Making art with media besides pen, paper, and word processor, helps us exercise our creative muscles–like cross-training for an athlete.

Lisa: Readers, I encourage you to sign up for Dylan’s FREE e-course–the first three days of  31 Days to a More Creative You.

Dylan Klempner is the author of 31 Days to a More Creative You. He believes that creative play is an essential part of our well-being. His work provides quick, simple, and fun activities that add joy and significance to your days. Dylan’s creativity advice and artist profiles have appeared in publications across the country. He is an artist-in-residence in the Arts In Medicine program at the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital, and co-edits the non-fiction literary e-zine, BraidedBrook.com. Dylan enjoys oil painting, drums, and discovering new art forms as much as he enjoys working with others to maximize their creative potential.

Please share any questions for Dylan or your own insights about creativity as a comment below!

How to Write a First Sentence that Draws Readers In

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life coach bonnie leonard
Life Coach Bonnie Leonard, Creator of The Reinvent Your Life – Write Now journaling program

Here’s a great short book writing tip I had to share.

After a bit of a false start with her first chapter, Bonnie Leonard returned to book writing class the next week having begun again. She shared a brilliant strategy I plan to try myself:  she asked herself how she could start her book–and each chapter–with a line that immediately drew in her readers.

Bonnie’s solution was to write down the first line of 15  books she had around the house and see which ones worked and why.

The result? When she shared her first sentences in class, we all agreed they were winners. Here are a few:

  • travel photos
    David Donohue’s travel photos just lend themselves to Bonnie’s travel stories. More of David’s photos at http://fotosbydavid.com/

    • “I headed for my destination with a quickened pace and single-minded focus…”
  • “After the dinner of a lifetime, I wandered slowly back to my current residence – a family guest house in Bangalore.”
  • “The taxi driver dropped off the two other passengers at Hong Kong’s luxurious hotel, The Peninsula, then turned to ask me for a third time, ‘What address, hotel?'”

I love the last one, as you just know you’re in for an off-the-beaten-track adventure when the taxi driver can’t place the hotel. The whole chapter is filled with humor.

Journal cover
Bonnie’s Course: Reinvent Your Life: Write Now

Try it yourself. Find ten books you enjoyed and books that have done well and write down the very first sentence.

Which ones grab you? See if you can figure out why they do. What did you learn?

What might you do to draw your readers in?

Note: Bonnie Leonard is a certified Life Coach and former Dean of Continuing Education at Wellesley College. You can find out more about Bonnie’s new nine-week journaling program, Reinvent Your Life ~ Write Now, which emerged from her years of experience empowering women to create new lives for themselves.

Please share your first sentences below (or any writing tips as well).

Writing Blocks: Do You Ever Get Overwhelmed?

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Book Writing Coach Lisa Tener
Your Book Writing Coach

This theme of overwhelm has come up in multiple book concept consultations in the past week as I’ve met with new participants in my Bring Your Book to Life Program.

As I take them through a visualization I call, “Meet Your Muse,” the messages from their muses have been consistent as well–versions of, “One page at a time.” The muses seem to concur that you don’t need to focus on the big picture the whole time.

Most of these book-writers have begun their outlines–using a process I suggest with color-coded index cards.  Once the outline is done, just pick a section and begin. You don’t have to start with the chapter that “scares you” as one writer put it. Choose a fun chapter, or one you feel excited to write. That’s the beauty of the outline. It provides a structure so you can be more free.

walk in nature as a writing break
Take a walk in nature as a writing break to refresh and clear your mind.

I once had a book writing course participant who took one day off a week and planned to write eight hours that day. She said she couldn’t manage writing any other day. She struggled until she could let go of the pressure of an eight hour writing day. Ideally, start with small blocks of time. Try a half hour. If you find yourself just getting into the rhythm of writing, increase  your writing blocks to an hour or two. After that, you’ll probably need a break. Take a walk outside. Then begin again.

What are your tricks for getting past overwhelm? Share them as a comment below. Or share your writing challenges and I’ll provide what experience and suggestions I can to help you.

Preparing for Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course

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harvard medical school publishing course
Sitting around the table at lunch last year, a group of my clients and I refine their book pitches for the pitching panel that afternoon.

As I go over my notes for “Writing for Your Reader: How to Write a Smart, Compelling, Enlightening Page Turner,” a workshop I’ll be delivering Saturday, along with Martha Murphy, as part of Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course, I’m getting excited.

The 3-day course is always filled with exciting book ideas, brilliant physicians and medical professionals, talented agents, publishers and others in the publishing industry. The course Director, Julie Silver, MD, varies the presentations each year–there will certainly be some new perspectives and interesting discourse. I’m looking forward to connecting with colleagues, including Rusty Shelton, whose talented team at Shelton Interactive designed my book coaching website.

dr. victoria dunckley at harvard medical school publishing course
After helping Dr. Victoria Dunckley with her book and book proposal, I encouraged her to come to Harvard where she met her literary agent, Deirdre Mullane

I equally look forward to the book pitches. Serving on the panel that provides feedback to the brave and aspiring authors who pitch their books, I enjoy the challenge of jotting down as much feedback as I can in the 30 or so seconds we have, while also noting the projects that most excite me as a book writing coach and editor.

I often meet with my clients as a group ahead of time to help them hone their pitches–a great opportunity for them to meet each other–and the group as a whole often comes up with some fabulous ideas for each other.  Sometimes, it’s the first time I’ll be meeting a client in person, even if I’ve been working with them by e-mail and phone for many months.

In the evening, participants get detailed feedback on their writing and book ideas in intimate writing workshops. I received several manuscripts already for four very intriguing books.

Most often, the biggest shock for course participants occurs when they find out how important it is to develop their author platform or following. These folks have the best credentials one could ask for. Many of their books apply the latest research to topics of great interest to readers. Why do they have to market themselves?

Digital Media Strategist Rusty Shelton and Book writing coach Lisa Tener
I always look forward to catching up with my colleague Rusty Shelton who has helped many of my clients develop a top notch website and successfully navigate the world of digital media.

The interesting thing is that once they do start to develop their platform, they often enjoy it–blogging, connecting with colleagues on twitter, being interviewed on TV–they realize how satisfying it can be to come out of their smaller world and reach a huge number of people nationally. One book proposal client I first met at the conference a few years ago, has been working on his platform religiously. And it’s paid off. A major publisher approached him before his agent even sent out his book proposal–they just liked what they saw in his blog (and they probably also noticed he’d gained quite a following).

When I think about what people take home from the publishing course at Harvard, it’s this: an understanding of the publishing industry, knowledge about what it takes to write a compelling (and successful) book, feedback on their ideas–so they’re not starting from scratch and they write the “right” book, a sense of community, support, mentors, colleagues.

It’s quite amazing to me really, in these three short days, the kind of powerful connections that take place. Authors find their editors, agents, mentors or even publishers. They meet fellow pilgrims on the path to publishing–and these friendships provide a great deal of support throughout the year as they write books, book proposals and grow their platforms.

And so it is with anticipation that I print out my revised notes, pack my bags and prepare to head to Boston. Perhaps I’ll see you there!

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