Last week, my inbox was filled with exciting news from former clients and Bring Your Book to Life® Graduates. Whether you’re just beginning to write a book or meeting some challenges on the path, it’s always helpful to find others who have trod the way before you for both inspiration and mentoring.
Here are their recent successes and a dozen author tips to write a book:
FEATURED ON KATIE COURIC!
Susan Rizzo Vincent, Bring Your Book to Life® Program graduate and author of Dreas’ Dream: An Unfinished Dance shared her surprise when actress Jane Seymour spoke about Dreas’ Dream and Susan’s–and Dreas’ –profound vision on Katie Couric. Jane even showed a photo of herself with Susan on the show.
Susan also just attended the Open Hearts Gala May 10 as a previous award winner and honoree AND appeared on Dancing with the Stars Monday, May 5, escorting a pediatric cancer patient and her mom to the show (because of her work at the Andrea Rizzo Vincent Foundation).
Susan’s author tips? She invites readers of this blog to:
1. “Talk to others who have published a book – all the time! They will give you valuable advice and recommend editors, copy editors and tidbits that helped them.”
2. “Find a few quiet places that have comfortable work-spaces and calming/inspiring environment and go to them for your self-assigned writing times. You can go stir crazy in your own home. The creative juices seemed to flow better for me in these places – a library with nice natural lighting and pretty view, a coffee shop with a quiet atmosphere, comfortable couches and delicious hot drinks, a church that offered me a quiet space that had a living room atmosphere, big windows and a large table to spread out on.
3. “Find a coach or seminar that can guide you when you get stuck, listen to pieces that you are undecided about and encourage you to keep going – and keep you to a timeline. My book never would have been finished and it wouldn’t have had the appeal that it does had I not been part of Bring Your Book to Life®.”
Aw, shucks, Susan. I didn’t expect her to say that, but I am grateful to hear it!
INTERVIEWED BY PBN
Gail Alofsin
, Author of Your Someday is Now was just interviewed in the Providence Business News. When I asked Gail to share a tip to write a book, she shared 5 great author tips:
4. “Create a mindset where writing is a pleasure versus a chore.” ‘Nuff said.
5. “Add writing into your calendar as if it were a meeting.”
I know, you’ve heard that from me before and it’s the first thing you do on Day 1 of my free book writing e-course. And look what happens when you follow through–day by day, “meeting” by “meeting,” you show up and your book gets written, published and you can be in Gail’s shoes–a published author.
6. “Find the time when your energy is best – early morning? Late night?”
7. “Decide what inspires you to write – music, sunlight, exercise?”
8. “View writing as a gift versus a mandate – it will become something you look forward to. I carved out mornings to write – 5:00 a.m. – 6:30/7:00 a.m. and could not wait to get out of bed to work on the book!”
FEATURED ARTIST
Author George Popovici, author of Angels Walking With Us was the Featured Artist at Literary Arts Open Mic Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough MA, May 8
George’s tip:
9. “Before getting started, visualize yourself speaking on a radio or television program” sharing the information in your book. “Think about the questions you will be asked and how you will describe who, what, when, where and how. Doing this may enable you to have a clearer picture about your goal. It clearly helped me shape my final product.”
A BOOK DEAL WITH JOSSEY BASS
Bonnie Marcus just signed a book deal with Jossey Bass for her book, The Politics of Promotion: How High Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead.
Bonnie’s tip:
10. “I think it’s important to write about subjects with which you are very familiar. It helps you establish yourself as a subject matter expert. Be very clear on why you’re writing the book and what you want your readers to learn, feel, or think about when they read your book.”
BOOK SIGNINGS AND PRESENTATIONS THROUGHOUT RI
Nora Hall, author of Survive Your Husband’s Retirement, and another Bring Your Book to Life® Program graduate, is touring RI with her book. She just presented on a panel at the Newport Public Library and upcoming events include Warren Public Library 6/5 5:30 PM, The “Hive” 7/6, Curiosity and Mischief, 10/5 Cranston Public Library.
Nora offers this advice:
11. “Keep believing in yourself. Now is your time to share your creative talents with others. Don’t let nay-sayers get you down! The most important aspect I found in the writing process was to get support–for me that meant participating in Lisa’s writing program. Find the avenue for support that works for you but don’t short yourself by skipping this step! It makes a world of difference.”
Okay, I would feel totally shameless ending on that note, so I think I’ll add a tip of my own:
12. Figure out what you need and be creative about getting it. These authors shared what worked for them, but you don’t necessarily need a specific program to get your book written. You do need to figure out what it is you need. Your needs may include greater confidence, support, sleep, meditation or down time, time in nature (which supports creativity), expert guidance, writing tools, an editor, accountability, support, a cheerleader, research, a co-author with expertise, feedback from a trusted reader (in your target market), time (everyone needs that one, but how will you get it?). You can get creative about how you meet these needs–a “book writing buddy” to meet at the library or on skype, a barter with an editor friend, a new meditation practice. The important thing is to identify your needs at each phase and brainstorm ways you can meet them.
Feel free to comment below to share what you’re doing to support your book writing journey (or ask a question if you have one). Good Luck!
Just read an article that all your students might want to read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/technology/amazon-a-friendly-giant-as-long-as-its-fed.html?_r=0