Tag: Book Writing Tips

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Autumn Lesson for Writers: Let Go and Keep What Matters Most

Autumn is a beautiful season of trees shedding leaves. Some of those leaves are so pretty, it’s amazing the trees have dropped them. You’d think they would want to keep them on display till the end of the season. The red leaves are my favorites. I don’t see them often, and I think they’re remarkable.

Just as trees let go of beautiful leaves, writers can let go of beautifully written sections of their book if those sections don’t serve the overall story. It’s part of the self-editing process that comes after writing your first draft. This process may include the difficult decision to remove some of your carefully crafted paragraphs if they no longer serve the focus of your book. And possibly replace them with something new.

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Like Autumn Leaves, Your Writing Can Change Too

One of the beautiful things about fall is how the leaves change colors in such unique ways. No two leaves are the same, but they all reflect the beauty of fall. 

Just like fall leaves, writing can take on different hues. Your first draft can look one way. As you begin to shape your story, your writing style might change. And that’s good. It means you’re growing, your story is taking shape, and transformation is happening. 

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From Notes to Book: Collecting Treasures One Idea at a Time

Folks often ask how to turn their stacks of notes into a book. I compare the process to rock collecting: seeking and gathering treasures, discovering and appreciating what’s there, and arranging them into mini collections. 

This process isn’t about turning notes into a book overnight. It’s about the joy of discovering the treasures already in your notes and finding wonderful ways to arrange them into a book outline. The more fun you have in the process, the more engaging your book will be for your readers. 

Let’s look at how to turn notes into a book—rock-collecting style. 

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Do You Need a Ghostwriter, Writing Coach, or Editor?

You’ve been dreaming about writing a book for a while. You’re ready to make that dream a reality. Like many first-time book authors, you might not be sure how to get started on a book project. You’re in good company — we’ve all been there — and it’s wise to reach out for help.

As you think about the ideas you want to share, you may be wondering which path you should take. Should you get help from a writing coach as you develop your book? Should you bring a ghostwriter into the project? Or should you go ahead and write the book and then hire an editor? I’ll explain the differences, so you can make an informed decision.

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Writing a Book this Fall? End of Summer is the Perfect Prep Time

It’s summer: time for rest, play, enjoying longer days. And you’re torn. You know you want to write a book this fall, and you wonder if you should start preparing now. But you don’t want to miss one relaxing ounce of summer. 

Not to worry. You can take a few steps to prepare for fall book writing that fit easily into your summer pace. Let’s take a look. 

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