Writer’s Block? Maybe You’re Not Stuck at All
“I was really stuck last week, but now I’m not as much.” I probed Strategic Planning Consultant Karen Barth a bit about the word “stuck” because I had a hunch she’d find herself in a similar state again, and maybe it wasn’t exactly stuck but in need of something. As Karen put it, “If I don’t know what I’m writing. I can’t write it.” Karen needed to do some research, get clear on the points she wanted to make and add more stories. Then she could develop a detailed outline. And, then, she could write the next chapter in her… Read more
After a First Draft: Developmental Editing, Digging Deeper and Interviewing
After Your Finish Your First Draft, Consider Developmental Editing What comes next after writing a first draft? One thing you probably need is developmental editing: Read through the first draft. Consider whether the overall structure works or whether it may need to be structured differently (Note: here’s where an experienced, objective editor can help) Move around sections or chapters to create a better flow Cut material that feels extraneous, breaks the flow or belongs in a different book Identify where you need to develop more (adding details or new information) Identify any additional research that needs to be done and… Read more
Writer Derailed! Curing Writer’s Block
Got writer’s block? Were you on a roll only to crash and burn? How do you get back on track when you’ve stopped writing? Writer Derailed! When Board Advisory and Executive Coach Marina Cvetkovic joined my Bring Your Book to Life® Program to write her book, she dove into the Quick Start exercises and sent me a writing sample almost immediately. She continued to write in the flow. And then… A 10 day vacation derailed her. The dreaded “Writer’s Block” set in. “I just haven’t opened that word document since.” I asked Marina to open the document while we were… Read more
Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course: Making Writers and Authors of Healthcare Professionals
As Harvard Medical School’s CME writing and publishing course, Writing, Publishing, and Social Media for Healthcare Professionals, draws closer (it’s in June this year), I look forward to seeing my colleagues, the other faculty members, many of whom I have known for over a decade—literary agents, acquisitions editors at publishing houses, publicists, editors and others. Especially exciting, is the time spent reconnecting with writers I have worked with and hearing about their latest accomplishments. Some sign a copy for me of their now-published book. Others share their latest platform building wins—from speaking at international conferences to becoming a podcaster or… Read more
Your Book is a Business Booster: 7 Steps to Use Your Book to Attract Major Business Contracts
Months ago I wrote to Huibert Evekink, co-author of the Stevie Award winning book Feedback First to catch up after our editing work together and to find out how his book was doing. In particular, I asked him how the book served as a business booster to impact the start up he had launched with his book. He was excited to report that the book he wrote with his business partner, Steven Becker, helped bring in clients from 5 major multinational corporations plus the Dutch Security Forces. His new company, FutureTeaming, now had a staff of four—two founders and two… Read more
Its National Grammar Day: Spot the Error(s) Contest
Happy National Grammar Day Why should grammar be important to you and I as writers? Let me count the ways. But really. My dad, Martin J Tener was a english teacher. He emphasized the importance of it while we grew up. He might of easily made a list like this: Good grammar help make your writing clear, so that you’re readers do not misunderstand your meaning. Good grammar makes it easier to read your writing so that the words flow and it’s more enjoyable to read and less hard on your readers so that they don’t have to spend lots… Read more
How to Write a Book for the Wrong Book Market
Earlier this week, on a call to explore writing coaching, Kaya picked my brain about writing a book for a trade audience, whether she’d be seen as an expert if she self published, how to evaluate the success of other books similar to hers, how to best build her platform, whether she should hire a publicist and much more. After about thirty minutes of questions, she mentioned in passing her desire to change careers and coach professionals in her field. Could she use her book to facilitate that career shift? My bad for not asking about her vision for what… Read more
Light a Candle for Your Inner Critic
Knock, knock; it’s your inner critic paying you a visit… Yesterday, I had two phone calls from writers a bit panicked about the quality of their writing. Jo was relieved when I told her that I enjoyed reading her rough draft and that it pulled me in and I wanted more. Apparently, the previous editor she showed it to had told her something a lot less helpful. The thing is, a first draft is not a polished piece. It’s our job as editors and writers to see the potential in a piece of writing, to sense what’s not there and… Read more
40 Reasons to Write a Book
What an exciting week! In between book concept consultations with people who recently joined my Bring Your Book to Life® Program, I’ve helped a few authors get unstuck, edited a couple chapters from clients who are finishing up their book proposals and worked on the training I’m offering today: Bring Your Book to Life® in 2019. Geri and I brainstormed about how I could continue to add value to subscribers while preparing for the training and we remembered an ebook I wrote last year: 40 Reasons to Write a Book. When I re-read it, I found myself re-inspired by the brief stories… Read more
Should I Self-Publish or Traditionally Publish? A Look at the Advantages of Both
Self publish? Traditionally publish? Don’t expect a black and white answer. I often help emerging authors grapple with the answer to this question near the beginning of the book-writing process. Why so early? The choice you make will affect whether you write a book proposal (traditionally publish) or the whole book (self-publish). And the decision is never “cookie cutter.” There are nuances to consider. Memoirist Seamus Kirst contacted me while writing his excellent article that appeared today in VICE about why he chose to self-publish his memoir, Shitfaced: Musings of a Former Drunk, and why he’s happy with that decision…. Read more
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