Cara Bradley

Author Cara Bradley on Speaking, Podcasting & the Doors that Open for a Published Author

December 23, 2019 by Lisa Tener

Browsing recent posts on LinkedIn, I came upon Cara Bradley’s podcast. It’s always exciting for me to see what happens after a client’s book gets published. It’s especially so when the author dives into book promotion and related activities with the kind of gusto Cara Bradley brings to it.

I asked Cara to share her experience both to inspire you, and also to help you think about the kinds of activities that might go into your promotion plan and the business plan for your book. Some of Cara’s advice plays well into some of the content of your book as well.

Lisa: What were some of the early responses to On the Verge that stick out to you?

Cara: The best response I hear is that my book sits on their nightstand.

Lisa: That’s wonderful, knowing it’s that powerful a resource for your readers. What’s been the most thrilling opportunity to date that’s come from writing On the Verge?

Cara: Sitting in Congressmen Tim Ryan’s office talking about how much he loved my book

Lisa: Can you share with us how some of your early opportunities have led to other opportunities?

Cara: I’ve learned to trust that no meeting or connection is wasted. In time, they will always lead to either new opportunities or learning. I also believe to live in a state of openness, it’s there that we make ourselves available to unexpected possibilities.

Lisa: Great takeaway! You’ve been doing a lot more speaking and media lately, can you share some of the highlights with us?

Cara: More and more I’m teaching and presenting both online and in the corporate setting. One of the highlights of 2019 was being asked to host an online summit called Embodiment At Work. I interviewed 36 experts in the field for over 18,000 attendees. Other highlights were working with women leaders of Goldman Sachs and Guardian Insurance.

Lisa: That’s exciting and impressive. How have the speaking opportunities come about? Did you sign on with a speakers bureau after becoming a published author?

Cara: My speaking opportunities come to me by word of mouth. While I do some sales prospecting, I find the best gigs come through referral. I’m not affiliated with a speaker’s bureau yet although I am in discussion with one—fingers crossed.

Lisa: Good luck. I’m sure you’ll find the right one. You’ve done keynotes for some major brands like Coca Cola, Virgin Pulse, SAP and the National Parks Service. How have those come about and what have these companies been looking for that the message in your book addresses?

Cara: Networking at conferences has been an incredibly effective way to build my speaking business. With that being said, having a traditionally published book is often the stamp of approval potential clients need to validate my expertise.

My book is chock full of pithy sayings such as, “drama drains and focus fuels” and “overwhelm is not an option.” People want me to expand on one or more of these sayings in a presentation.

Lisa: That’s great. It sounds like one valuable step for those of us writing a book would be to think about pithy sayings that can be teased out into a full presentation, workshop or seminar. I know some authors share these pitchy sayings on social media. Tama Kieves is a great example of that.

How does your book On the Verge play into the speaking and training engagements? Do you sometimes wrap book sales into your speaking fees? Have you done any bulk sales (over 100) or special sales? Or do you sell books back of the room?

Cara: I have bundled sale of books into a talk though, to date, none have been over 100 books. If asked to speak for free, I will bundle book sales into our agreement. Also, I do not like to sell books from the back of the room. Finally, I always bring a few books to talks carefully selecting potential clients to gift them to.

Lisa: When we first worked together, you started blogging, now you’re podcasting. Can you talk a bit about the shift to podcasting–why you did it and what you love about it? Did a particular podcaster or podcast inspire you?

Cara: I started my podcast shortly after my book was published. Being a lifelong teacher, I find that verbal communication comes much more naturally to me than written form. I transcribe my shows and will sometimes turn them into a blog or article.

I made the decision to do a solo podcast instead of interview style. While it’s been harder to grow the show that way, I’ve created a place for “super-fans” to find me every week. I’m always amazed how people find my podcast and then hopefully find my book and other work.

My next project is to create a new show offering short, five minute shows, Monday thru Friday. Stay tuned.

Lisa: Wow. This is exciting! Good luck with it. Can you share one or two of your favorite podcasts?

Cara: Favorites? I listen to so many podcasts. Most of them are interview style so I can’t say I got my inspiration from any particular show. I am bouncing around these days but tend to find my way back to Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick and Finding Mastery with Michael Gervais.

Cara Bradley is a leading authority of body-brain training having led Fortune 500 companies, CEOs and elite college sports teams through her signature strategies to feel and perform their best. She is the author of On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine, and founder of the award-winning Verge Yoga Center in Philadelphia.

Note from Lisa: In the spirit of Waking Up, Showing Up and Shining, I’d like to remind my readers (you) that on January 2, 2020, I am offering a special conference call where we will breathe, get into an inspired, creative inner space and then just write!

Bring a piece you’re working on, or you can work on your vision and intentions for the New Year and New Decade!

FREE TO WRITE

WHAT? A FREE online workshop via ZOOM conference call
WHEN? January 2, 2020 at 8:30 pm ET
HOW? Click the orange button and join us by computer or phone! (You’ll get instructions as soon as you register).

If you’ve been looking for the inspiration and a little push to get going on your book, or to reignite your writing, or want to set a vision for the new year and decade, this is your golden ticket.

Comment below if you plan to join me. Schedule it now in your 2020 calendar and I’ll see you on January 2!

Featured by Oprah Network: Author Spotlight on Cara Bradley—Again!

April 19, 2017 by Lisa Tener

author book signing — Cara Bradley at her first book signing for On The Verge (published by New World Library)

I had the pleasure of working with Cara Bradley on her book proposal for On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up and Shine and introducing her to her literary agent, Rita Rosenkranz, as well as her editor, Kelly Malone.

In the process, I witnessed how willing Cara was to take my coaching, as well as Rita’s, and keep improving the proposal, deepening the writing, working on platform. So, it’s no surprise to see how much attention the book is getting. Still, the specifics carry an element of suprise. It thrilled me to hear from Cara that four pages of her book would be featured on the Oprah Network.

Lisa: It’s every author’s dream to be discovered by Oprah. How did it feel when you first heard that four pages of your book On The Verge would be featured by the Oprah Network?

Cara: Time slowed down. Upon reading it a second, third, and fourth time, time stood still. At first I was confused. What does this mean? How did the folks at Oprah.com get my book? How is this possible? What’s going to happen next?

Amidst my questions, a light began to shine through. “Yes, Dear One,” my wiser self said to my confused mind, “It’s true.”

In realizing I’d been granted every author’s dream opportunity, the floodgate opened and the tears poured out.

Lisa: Tell us more about the experience. What did you learn from it and why do you call it “a pivotal moment,” beyond the idea that it is every author’s dream to be discovered and shared by Oprah?

Cara: There are pivotal moments in life when time stands still, the world seems to pause and everything goes quiet. These moments seem to last forever, for better or worse.

These moments grab your attention. They wake you up. Pivotal moments are often our gateways to directly experiencing the undeniable brilliance of being fully alive.

Minutes after realizing what I’d read in the email was true, there were tears of joy mixed with pent up exhaustion of months and months of book promotion. The emotional release was fueled by the vulnerability hangover of putting myself “out there” in countless interviews, blogs and podcasts, endless and oftentimes uncomfortable Facebook posts and Tweet after Tweet after Tweet.

I cried, shedding the small setbacks since my book launched, the minor disappointments, the unanswered pitches. I cried, laughing at the little victories, the emails from readers, the unknown awards, and the spike in book sales here and there. Lastly, I cried for whatever may come, for I have no idea.

Could the post on Oprah.com be the “big break?” Sure, it could. But I’m also savvy enough to not count on one post to do anything but give me the drive to keeping sharing my passion.

My pivotal “Oprah” moment shifted me. It’s given me confidence to trust that my hard work carried my book to the folks at Oprah.com (and maybe even Oprah herself).

Cara Bradley on break from recording the audio for On The Verge

Lisa: I’m so thrilled for you. Having worked with you on your proposal and seen all you were willing to do to make your proposal, sample chapters, platform, promotion plans—everything—be compelling to agents and publishers, I knew you had he persistence and resilience to make things happen. You’ve put in a ton of work to get the word out there about On The Verge. I’m sure that played a role in being discovered by Oprah. Do you know how they found you?

Cara: I have no idea.

Lisa: I guess that’s kind of fitting. When you put in the work and keep stepping out in faith, you don’t have to worry about how things happen. You trust. And you still don’t know the mechanics behind it. Your shining, miraculous moments happen. That’s what matters. You do work hard though. How many hours do you put in a week on average to get the word out about your book?

Cara: Since my work is intertwined with the message in my book it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when I’m in pure book promotion mode. I am, however, pushing content out daily in the form of blogs, Vlogs, podcasts, videos and social media posts.

Lisa: What activities have you participated in to promote On The Verge?

Cara: My biggest promotional expense (and time burner) was creating a free app to support my book. I find it easier to suggest someone download my free app instead of asking them to buy my book. The most satisfying (and free) activity I participate in is my weekly podcast called On The Verge. It’s been a great platform to share my message, it’s easy to promote, and I have a blast recording each episode.

Lisa: I always encourage authors to develop a sustainable model for their book promotion efforts—that there’s a business plan behind it. What activities are you doing that bring in income in addition to book sales?

Cara: In addition to running my business, Verge BodyMind, I earn additional income teaching sports teams, schools, corporations and speaking at conferences.

Lisa: What percentage of your time is spent on activities that bring in income like speaking, teaching or consulting and how do you see those activities also supporting book sales?

Cara: Everything I do supports book sales in some capacity. Last week I agreed to speak at a corporation for free which is something I don’t often agree to as I make my living through teaching and speaking. After the talk the group asked to buy 75 copies of my book.

Lisa: Wow, that’s terrific. What book promotion activities have seemed to have the biggest impact on book sales?

Cara: I saw a big jump in sales when the print versions of Mindful Magazine and Oxygen Magazine reviewed my book. While it’s challenging to get magazines to cover books, I’m creating monthly bodymind video column for Mindful’s digital version.

Lisa: What are some of your favorite ways to share the message of On The Verge?

Cara: I love the podcasts.

Lisa: What activities have not really paid off or have taken too much time and energy for the effect they had?

Cara: During the launch of my book I said yes to every interview request regardless of the scope and size of the show. While doing so gave me valuable interview experience I don’t think they provided much of a boost in book sales.

Lisa: What advice do you have for authors who are just putting together a book marketing plan? When do you suggest starting? What should they do and not do?

Cara: Know your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re a natural verbal communicator then look for ways to promote your book through live videos on social media or starting a podcast. If you’re a natural writer then a blog may be how you promote your book. Whatever you choose to do, however, be consistent. It’s the only way to build a platform that cares about your work.

Lisa: Excellent advice. What are some of the biggest surprises in launching and marketing On The Verge?

Cara: Those you think are going to be your greatest assets are not. Those you never considered would be able to support you will surprise you.

Lisa: What are some of the things you’ve heard from readers about your book and its impact?

Cara: I heard from at least a dozen people that On The Verge sits on their bedside table and provides support to them either upon waking or just before they fall asleep. This brings me incredible joy. I’ve also heard from more than a few CEO’s who have been inspired by my book.

Lisa: Wow, that’s exciting when you think of the difference it can make in a company to have that kind of mindfulness and consciousness come from the top. What an impact your book can make! What else would you like our readers to know?

Cara: While writing On The Verge was one of the most challenging periods of time in my life, I would do it again. I love what came through me during that time. I love the message of my book and if my words can help one person wake up, show up, and shine then it will have been worth the challenge.

Lisa: Beautifully put. Any parting advice?

Cara: If you feel the impulse to share your story, just do it. Get it documented any way possible. Write your insights on a napkin, record them into your phone, take a quick video. Share your wisdom. The world needs you to.

Cara Bradley, author of On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine is an innovative leader of bodymind training, founder of the award-winning Verge BodyMind Center and mental strength coach to CEOs, corporations, universities, and sports teams. You can find Cara’s bodymind practices on her weekly podcast and free app both called On The Verge. For more info visit www.carabradley.net. You can also follow and engage with Cara on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

How to Get Published by a Traditional Publisher: 7 Ways to Look Your Best

October 19, 2016 by Lisa Tener

How to Get Published: It’s Not Just Your Writing

book writing and publishing coach Lisa Tener — Your book writing coach Lisa Tener

Two journalists friends make a common error.

I get at least two emails a week asking advice on how to get published. Yesterday, I spoke to a colleague who is a journalist, former publicist and former marketing professional and she made a mistake that I see made by at least 80% of aspiring authors.

All she’d done the past year on her book was write the book and then her book proposal.

Platform building: zilcho.

That’s actually a wonderful thing, because I know it means she poured her heart and soul into writing a great book.

But it was funny speaking with her, because she hadn’t even thought about all the PR and marketing she may need to do beforehand.

“Ha. I was thinking I’d do all those things when the book comes out, but it makes sense that publishers would want to see something more solid than a promise.”

Exactly.

So, my friend promised me to take all the brilliant things in her book promotion plan (from her book proposal) and implement most of it now, before approaching publishers. Then, we’ll talk!

She’s asking her son for help with Twitter, journalist friends for blurbs and commitments to spread the word and she promised me to return to her long-neglected blog.

[bctt tweet=”How to Get Beyond a Polite ‘No’ with Publishers ” username=”LisaTener”]

Today, I got another email asking for help with how to get published, this time from a relative who’s an award-winning writer. She just wrote a narrative nonfiction book-length manuscript and had it professionally edited.

Knowing the topic and her writing chops, I’m sure it’s laugh-out-loud funny and brilliant.

So, why is it so hard to get it published? She’s had only one bite out of 20 queries, and so wrote me for advice. That’s when I decided it was time for a post—one for my cousin and anyone interested in how to get published by a traditional publisher—whether you are writing narrative nonfiction (memoir, creative nonfiction, biography, etc.) or a self-help or how-to book.

First, one bite out of 20 queries is not all bad. That tells me there’s interest. As they say in the industry, “The book has legs.” However, I’m fairly confident she can take several steps to improve her chances and they all have to do with platform-building.

Build Your Platform to Make Your Book Attractive to Publishers and Literary Agents

got a publisher — Micaela Karlsen developed a website, set up speaking gigs and built her grassroots network to attract a publishing deal.

If you read my posts regularly, I’m sure you know that platform means the ways you reach people—online and offline—with your message. And you may also know that building your platform is perhaps the most important ingredient in the “how to get published” formula.

Here are some quick and more long-term things you can do to develop the kind of following that publishers and agents are looking for, so your book can get picked up and published:

Update Your Website: Recently, a few of my clients had fairly outdated websites. Before sending out their book proposals I advised them to update their sites for a fresh, professional, branded look, but also for all the things a publisher looks for—the things that help publishers get a clear picture of your platform and online reach. If you’re thinking of a website reboot. Check out my post on What to Put on an Author Website.
Create and Grow a Mailing List: The people on your mailing list should be the people most likely to buy your book. The bigger this list, the more publishers and agents will think there are people ready to buy (not everyone, but certainly a percentage of those on your list). How do you grow your list? With people who are in your target market. Offer a “lead magnet” or “free offer” on your website that is so compelling that folks will be willing to share their first name and email with you.
Carol Lambert’s publisher required a commitment to grow her social media presence before offering a contract.

Connect on Social Media: You don’t have to be super-active on every platform. Pick one or two platforms where you’ll be most likely to find your target readers and get active there. Connect with readers but also those people who influence your readers—bloggers, other authors, tv and radio producers, journalists, etc. Share their great articles and shows, as well as your own.
BLOG: Yes, blogging takes some time and focus but it is one of the best ways to connect with your peeps and develop a relationship. And this relationship isn’t just a one way communication where you spew out information, hoping people like it. Nuh-uh. You get to hear back from them and learn what they’re interested in when you invite comments on your blog. In addition, your blog will help Google and other search engines love you (and send visitors) as well.
Speak: Publishers love to see a significant speaking schedule. It means that you regularly reach your target audience in an intimate way and a setting where they are likely to buy books.
Cara Bradley grew her mailing list by 50%, hired a publicist and began blogging on the Huffington Post in order to make her platform appealing to publishers.

Teach: Seminars, especially through organizations and companies offer a similar excellent opportunity for book sales. In fact, many author/trainers factor book sales into all their corporate trainings. This helps boost book sales and also make sure that participants have a nice takeaway they can use to remember what they learned, dive deeper and share with others. You can teach in person or remotely.
Network: One of my most successful sales strategies has been to identify people who offer excellent programs that my people (authors and aspiring authors) need and which I do not offer. In my case, these are services like book marketing, business marketing and business building. Many times, these people offer affiliate programs and I get a percentage of sales I have generated (of course, it’s important to be up front with your community when you are receiving commissions). Most often, your affiliate partners or JV partners will be happy to promote your services and book in return.

I will say, strategy 7 is one to be careful about. You want to do your due diligence, research all programs the best you can, speak to people who’ve participated or become a participant yourself. Monitor how your folks benefited from or liked the program afterwards. If they had a less than stellar experience, you can give the provider feedback, but err on the side of dropping a program rather than hoping the presenter will change. If an affiliate program could be considered a conflict of interest in certain cases, make sure you don’t receive a commission for those clients.

Use Sustainable Strategies to Grow Your Platform and Get Published

Rethinking Narcissism book cover — Dr. Craig Malkin grew his mailing list to over 60,000 people with his popular Narcissism Quiz, but what made his plan sustainable was when he began teaching CE (continuing education credit) courses (http://www.drcraigmalkin.com/the-book).

I use the word “Sustainability” often when speaking about platform building. There is nothing more frustrating than throwing money into social media, website, PR and hoping that a big advance or stellar book sales will pay back more than your investment.

The more you have income-producing opportunities already in place, the more any of your efforts can be sustainable from the outset. Your platform building contributes to the bottom line and, in turn, those income producing activities will naturally also result in book sales. This model will make book marketing more enjoyable, less stressful and sustainable.

When I see clients without a sustainability element, they often give up quickly because the activities that can generate book sales end up costing more money than they generate. Even clients who have stuck with it and gotten great PR end up with modest book sales (if they don’t have the sustainability element) compared to those who operate from a sustainable model from the outset.

Of course, these platform building strategies are meaningless without a solid book concept that speaks to a real need within a clear, significant target market and a well written book (or sample chapters). And you’ll want to go through the expected steps to write a book proposal as well. And be sure to download my free report: 10 Tips to a Book Proposal Publishers Will Love.

Be thorough and don’t rush these steps and you will increase your chance of getting your book published by a traditional publisher—and reaching lots of eager readers, as well.

Have any questions or a publishing story to share? Comment below.

10 Tips to a Book Proposal Publishers will Love PDF Cover — Get Your Free Copy

Recently Published Books

May 24, 2016 by Lisa Tener

I am so proud of these recently published books and their authors! Here’s a bit about each book.

Cough Cures

When Director of the Cleveland Clinic Cough Center, Dr. Gus Ferrer called me to share his book idea for Cough Cures and joined my Bring Your Book to Life Program, I knew he had a winner, because my family had gone through many chronic coughs and we had desperately needed his book many times!

Dr. Gus’s co-author, Burke Lennihan, RN, CCH, is a nurse, expert in homeopathy and author of the Benjamin Franklin and Nautilus Award-winning book Your Natural Medicine Cabinet. They both saw a need for a book on Cough Cures for several reasons:

1. 31 million people suffer from acute respiratory infections and 24 million suffer from chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Even their doctors often don’t know what to advise to help them.

2. Many cough medicines are dangerous, often containing an ingredient so toxic that it is the leading cause of acute liver failure requiring liver transplants. Dr. Gus himself has seen many people come to the emergency room after combining cough and cold meds or overdosing on an over the counter medication!

3. Most people feel overwhelmed when they go into the drug store looking for cough medicines, many of which are proven to be ineffective or even harmful. Dr. Gus saw the need to explain the ingredients to look for and avoid.

4. Dr. Gus’s research–as well as that of others–showed that, often, natural herbal remedies perform far better for many types of coughs than do over the counter meds. He wanted to make this information available to the public.

5. Homeopathic remedies are shown to often be quite effective for coughs. Dr. Gus teamed up with homeopathy expert Burke Lennihan, RN, CCH to provide homeopathic solutions for various types of coughs and symptoms. Order Cough Cures here.

On The Verge

After being what she called a “so-so athlete” Cara Bradley beat her personal best by six seconds–in the final race of her college career.

The sense of calm confidence she experienced and that sense of being in the zone led her on a lifelong quest to repeat this experience “on purpose, every day” in all areas of life.

As an athlete, yoga instructor, mindfulness expert and director of Verge Yoga Center, which offers 100 yoga classes every week in the Philly area, Cara has distilled the program into four practices, strategies and a series of gut-check reminders to move into a state of being fully awake and alive.

You can learn them in her book, On the Verge, just published by New World Library, and you can also order a free “On the Verge” app that supports using the strategies and daily reminders you will learn in the book.

You can also read an interview with Cara Bradley on Mindfulness and Writing a Book on How to Write a Book.

Moving Beyond Betrayal

My copy of Moving Beyond Betrayal just arrived in today’s mail! I think I may have received one of the first copies, since it’s publishing date is May 24. This book offers wise, proven and compassionate advice for partners of sex addicts. It’s always exciting to work with an author who has a powerful, proven solution for a devastating problem.

Vicki Tidwell Palmer‘s compassion and wisdom, as well as expertise, shine on every page. Vicki is my first client to work with Central Recovery Press and I have to say how impressed I’ve been with the team there. The woman who became her acquisitions editor reached out to me on LinkedIn, looking for appropriate submissions, just as Vicki and I were finishing the last round of edits on her book proposal.

Such synchronicities make the work feel magical and miraculous.

A Dance with Hummingbirds

I rarely work with fiction authors, but when Helen Deines first came to me, she felt moved to write a memoir about her romance with her late husband.

When Helen joined my Bring Your Book to Life Program, back when I taught in Narragansett RI, and tentatively read out loud from her first chapter, she had everyone laughing in hysterics.

A Dance with Hummingbirds was magical, and quickly it became clear that the characters and story had a life of their own–and that the book wanted to be novel. I encouraged Helen to work with a colleague of mine with vast experience in editing novels, Stuart Horwitz.

While the book was originally released last fall, it was re-released this March and is briefly available free on Kindle unlimited! I fell in love with these characters and highly recommend it for an absolutely delightful read. Helen has already sold over 1,000 copies!

Perfectly Negative

When Linda Carvelli came to me for help with her memoir, I introduced her to my favorite writing exercise (meet your muse) to help her get clarity and access wisdom and answers from deep within.

And then I introduced her to the brilliant Stuart Horwitz, who became her “book architect,” writing coach and editor.

What a team.

Perfectly Negative will have you crying and laughing and sharing Linda’s triumphs as she struggles with a decade of losses–her mother, her sister, her marriage–and finds strength, courage and love. This book makes a great gift for anyone struggling with loss or who wants to appreciate the preciousness of our lives.

Do you have a question for these authors? A recent read you’d like to share? Let’s hear from you!

How to Use Storytelling to Bring Your Writing to Life

February 16, 2016 by Lisa Tener

Sure, good storytelling is a must-have for memoir, novels or narrative nonfiction.

But have you thought about how storytelling can bring your self-help or how-to book to life? After all, it’s not terribly inspiring to be told what to do without any context. A story, however, engages your reader in a vicarious experience and, in the case of a self-help book, can motivate your readers to take action and embody the lessons, skills and wisdom your book has to offer.

So, how do you tell a good story?

[bctt tweet=”5 Tips for Powerful Storytelling in Nonfiction Writing”]

Set the Scene: A revealing detail or two will help readers understand exactly how your character feels and why the following events have such an impact. Perhaps your character just lost her job, or landed her first big account, for instance. In On the Verge, Cara Bradley brings the concept of “SoulForce” alive with a scene of her running track in college, drawing the reader into a vicarious experience.
Employ All Your Senses: We tend to stick with the visual and underplay the other senses. A striking sensual detail–smell, taste or touch–can have even more impact than a visual one especially for that reason: a hint of lavender, the taste of lemon rind, the feel of a poodle’s curly fur.
Use Examples: In Calming Your Anxious Child, Dr. Kathleen Trainor begins each chapter with an example of a child that illustrates a particular type of anxious child for a specific age group. By beginning the chapter with examples, she can refer back to the story for each step and teaching point in the chapter.
Develop Character: Even in a short anecdote, you can give the person a name, an unusual and fitting job or share quirky details about the person. If you are concerned about confidentiality, you can change details, such as name and occupation, and mention that the anecdotes are composites in your Introduction.
Show the Transformation: Tell a reader what to do and not much happens. Show how these steps have helped others–the wretched before and the “happily ever after”–and now your readers are motivated to make a change and take action.

And here are some of the wonderful side effects of storytelling:

[bctt tweet=”7 Benefits of Storytelling in a Self-help or How-to Book”]

Engages readers emotionally and helps them stick with it.
Entertains readers and makes the book the kind people want to share with others.
Brings the material to life so readers can apply the information more easily to their own lives.
Adds credibility.
Inspires you as you write.
The “P-Factor”: Makes you more prolific.

#6 may be a bit of a surprise. I was surprised myself. The idea came out of a recent conversation with author Chris Spurvey, whose book It’s Time to Sell sold 10,000 copies in its first month.

I was amazed when Chris shared that he owes his prolific blog and article writing (75 plus articles in a bit over a year) to a practice related to storytelling, called “conscious stream of thought.”

Chris lets his mind drift and allows the scenes and stories that unfold in his day to evolve into writing. Listening to his daughter play her flute in another room of the house and allowing his mind to “travel through the walls,” Chris pictured her playing her flute, allowed the picture to “evoke feelings and emotions,” and then wrote, “Without any bias as tot he correctness or incorrectness of the thoughts.” There’s a time for editing, but this exercise is one for just allowing flow. Chris said he averages 800 words over a thirty minute period. After the process, he briefly edits and sends the writing off to his copyeditor. “Within 24 hours,” he says, “I am ready to publish my article.

7. A final benefit: your readers will see themselves in the stories. It will help them acknowledge feelings that may not even have known they had. It will awaken something in them.

I think again of Dr. Kathleen Trainor, a Bring Your Book to Life Program graduate whose book, Calming Your Anxious Child, published by Johns Hopkins University Press comes out in June. Each chapter begins with a story that captures many aspects of a reader’s situation. While the steps in her method are crucial, it’s the stories I remember and that remind me how to help my child when he feels anxious about something.

Can you think of other benefits of storytelling? Any specific tips you use to tell a story and bring it to life?

“My Writing Process” Blog Tour

August 1, 2014 by Lisa Tener

My friend and colleague, novelist Betty J. Cotter invited me to be part of the My Writing Process Blog Tour this week. Betty is the author of the novels The Winters and Roberta’s Woods. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College and was named the 2006 fiction fellow by the R.I. State Council on the Arts. She teaches English at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, Conn., and creative writing and journalism at the University of Rhode Island. Her work has appeared in Bibliophilos, Grace magazine, the Ocean State Review, and the Connotation Press, and she writes book reviews for the Providence Journal. Betty is also the founder of Authors on Main, a series of free author talks in Wakefield RI. She blogs at swampyankeewoman.wordpress.com.

If you’re new to my blog, I blog on writing, publishing and promoting nonfiction books–primarily self-help, how-to and memoir. As part of the blog tour, I’ve been asked to answer the following questions:
1) What are you working on? At the moment, I am doing the opposite of what I recommend to participants in my Bring Your Book to Life® Program. I’m working on several projects–a couple of how-to books and even a novel. I think of the novel as a very long term project, since it’s a new genre for me.

2) How does your work differ from others of its genre? This is a great question and one I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. One thing that distinguishes good writing is a strong, and often fresh, voice. Voice needs to be authentic. Yet, I do think we can emphasize aspects of our personality for different audience or topics. So, one thing I’m working on is humor. I enjoy reading books that make me laugh and I want to entertain my readers. Humor is also a great learning tool. As an undergrad, the information I most retained and used in my first few jobs was from a class taught by Dr. Tom Allen. And the reason I retained it was that he made us laugh! So, I’m planning to take an improv class at the Contemporary Theater this fall to work on humor and spontaneity, as well.

3) Why do you write what you do? As a lifelong learner and teacher, it’s natural for me to share what I learn–from my own experiences and from my students. Teaching, coaching and writing are just part of who I am and why I’m here. I sort of stumbled into what I do after my first book, The Ultimate Guide to Transforming Anger was published, a book I co-authored with Peaco Todd and Jane Middelton-Moz. I soon realized I did not enjoy teaching anger workshops, but liked facilitating people’s connection to their creativity, their muse.

I began teaching the 5 steps I use in my own creative process and that I employed with my colleagues in writing our book and now my writing tends to be about writing, creative process and also the business of being an author.
I got my master’s from MIT’s Sloan School of Business and co-chaired the marketing club there–and I’ve won a national award in marketing. So business, and particularly marketing, is a strength of mine, something I’m writing about, and something many authors need help with. I love helping writers make more money doing what they love. Not only does it make their lives easier, but making more money often provides them more time for writing! And the money-making activities generally help them reach more readers. Plus, I see people truly step into their power when they focus on the business end of writing. So, there’s this personal growth that takes place, which is incredibly gratifying to witness.

4) How does your writing process work? I have these 5 steps I use for “Writing in the Zone.” I don’t always consciously employ 5 discrete steps but I may incorporate 2 or 3 of them in one action. The steps are:
1. Create Sacred Space: This is about stepping out of the everyday reality and into that sacred inner space that allows for creativity to flow. There are many aspects to it. Often, I create sacred space by meditating or walking in nature.
2. State Your Intention and Goals Aloud: I read my vision statement for my project aloud and then I will set a goal or intention for the period of writing–whether it be to write about a specific anecdote or write a portion of a chapter. And sometimes I just go with what’s coming.
3. Connect with Your Muse: I think of the muse as the creative part of all of us. We connect with our muse all the time. However, making a conscious connection to this aspect of yourself can facilitate flow. I also offer a free audio recording that guides you to making a connection with your muse and asking a question of your muse. (Click here to get the free meet your muse recording)
4. Enter the Flow: This step is about just writing and allowing the flow of ideas and words.
5. Give Thanks: This step is important because even if you didn’t accomplish exactly what you set out to, by focusing on the positive and what you did accomplish, you set yourself up for next time. Even if all you did was sit at your desk and not write, trust that the fallow period was needed to make space for what comes next.
Next up in the My Writing Process Blog Tour, let me introduce you to three great writers I am honored to know:
Ginger Moran: A teacher, published writer, and single mom of two boys, Ginger’s areas of expertise are in fiction and creative nonfiction writing, editing, and creative survival. She holds a Ph.D. in creative writing, teaches at the University of Virginia and James Madison University, and have published widely . Ginger’s first novel, The Algebra of Snow, was nominated for a Pushcart Editor’s Choice Award and was published in the spring of 2012. She writes novels and essays in the morning and teaches how to write them in the afternoon & evening. “It is a heavenly life! “ You will find Ginger’s post on the tour next week at: http://www.gingermoran.com

Cara Bradley: Cara Bradley is a passionate teacher of over 30 years. She founded Verge Yoga in suburban Philadelphia ten years ago that offers 100 yoga and meditation classes per week. She has been in the trenches of personal transformation as a teacher to CEOs, athletes, parents, and college students reaching a nationwide audience through her Verge On-Demand Classes, workshops and retreats, and talks on human potential. Her mindfulness-based techniques empower students to experience their natural presence and power. She trains the Penn State University Men’s Basketball and Villanova University Football teams. Cara writes for Elephant Journal and Women for One and is currently writing a book entitled SoulForce: Living Beyond Your Busy Mind. Cara blogs at www.carabradleyunveiled.com

Dylan Klempner: As the graduate programs advisor for the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, a writer, and an interdisciplinary artist, Dylan shares stories and information about the growing field of Arts and Health through writing, blogging and speaking. Creativity and art making are an essential part of our overall health and happiness, particularly in times of medical crisis because they help us experience a sense of control by focusing our attention. Read Dylan’s blog on creativity and arts in medicine.

Join the “my writing process blog tour” by sharing about your writing process as a comment below.