3 Essential Tips for Writing Compelling Stories
One morning not too long ago I walked into our kitchen at about 6:30 and was startled by what I saw. There stood my nine-year-old son in his pajamas, hunched over a piece of paper with a pencil in his hand. His nose was less than five inches from what he was drawing, and his […]
6 Takeaways for Writers from the #1 New York Times Bestseller *Originals*
As I’ve gone about my travels recently, one book has stood out to me again and again. For one thing the cover is irresistibly head-turning; the promise of the title is also compelling. I’m referring to Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, the #1 New York Times bestseller from respected Wharton business school professor Adam Grant. I […]
5 Scientifically Verified Reasons You’ll Hate Yourself if You Stop Writing
So much of winning at the writing game can be summarized succinctly by the immemorial words of Dory in Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming. Easier said than done, for sure. But it’s important because really the only way to lose is to stop writing. To give up. To abandon your dream of that book or that […]
3 Strategies to Guarantee Your Writing Will Attract an Audience
Nonfiction writers often struggle with aimlessness. They have passion about an area of interest, but when it comes to channeling this passion in a way that will attract readers, they struggle. To read the rest of this article, head over to Medium.
My Problem with “Platform”
Publishing professionals have been using the term “platform” for a long time. And once my friend and Baker author Michael Hyatt wrote his New York Times bestseller Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, the term became ensconced forever in publishing parlance. These days we can’t review a book proposal without using the term multiple […]
How One Writer Went from Blogging to Book Contracts in 5 Years
If you’re a writer with a book inside you, a platform builder, or someone who simply wants to have an impact in the world, this interview is for you. Join me today for a conversation with author and blogger Natasha Crain. Over the past five years Natasha has steadily grown her blog traffic and subscriber […]
What Book Should I Write?
Deciding what book to write can be tough. Writers often have a lot of different ideas, and we know that writing a book requires a significant amount of time and energy. Even if you have a direction in mind, establishing a particular angle or hook can be difficult. How to choose? This problem can be frustrating […]
A Writer’s 3-Step Guide to Eliminating Fear of Rejection
Recently I asked some writers about their deepest fear when it comes to writing. One of them flatly said “rejection.” Another said, “Will publishers take me seriously if I don’t have a platform?” I hear versions of this all the time not only from writers but from the chattering inside my own head as a […]
An Open Letter to Writers . . . from Writing
Dear Writer, Remember us? Remember the times we had, just you and me in your living room, the coffee shop down the way, your desk? The times you couldn’t get enough of me? We spent hours together, but it felt like seconds. Time stood still. Remember those times? But we’ve drifted, haven’t we? It stopped […]
A Key to Writing Books That Sell and Sell and Sell
The giant was beside himself. Oh no!’ he cried. ‘Oh mince my maggots! Oh swipe my swoggles!’ ‘What’s the matter?’ Sophie asked. ‘It’s a trogglehumper!’ he shouted. His voice was filled with fury and anguish. ‘Oh, save our solos!’ he cried. ‘Deliver us from weasels! The devil is dancing on my dibbler!’ +++ That little […]