The Written Compass

I often talk to my 10 yr old about writing, and I asked him what he struggles with. His response? “I get bored.” I asked him to share more about that, and that led us into a fun little conversation that inspired today’s episode. He explained that he often starts off strong and even excited about what he is writing, but then can get bored quickly. This happens for lots of reasons, and I use today’s...

Whether you are working with a writing coach like me, sharing your book draft with beta readers, and/or just sharing some excerpts online, getting feedback on your writing is an essential part of your publishing process. In today's episode, I talk through what to do with the feedback after you receive it. Here is an overview: - Give yourself permission to embrace your initial response to the feedb...

There is nothing worse than being on the writing struggle bus! Yet, when you embark on writing a book, it is almost guaranteed to happen. In today's episode, I share a few main causes I have experienced and see my clients' experience on our book writing journey. Listen to the full episode to get the full explanation and solutions for these: 1. When/then thinking (ex. when I clean the kitchen, then...

“Learning how to be a good reader is what makes you a writer.” ~ Zadie Smith In today's episode, I break down how you can use your skills as a reader to inspire and support your writing. The key ideas I share are paying attention to how the writers of the books you love to read: - Take you on a journey (i.e. the structure and order/organization of things) - Create a cadence and rhythm (i.e. senten...

When you publish a book, you have a unique opportunity to connect with people far beyond the reach of your network and sometimes even social media. But how can you take advantage of and leverage those connections? In today's episode, I share several ways to use your book to build connections and nurture your audience after they have purchased and read your book. Here is a quick summary: - send the...

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Chantel and Mwale Henry, co-owners of The Best-Selling Author Academy . We had a lot of fun digging deep into important topics, like: - entrepreneurship and writing - the power of your intellectual property when building your legacy - how writing can change your life and others Click here to connect with Chantel and Mwale to visit...

Many people think they need a huge audience before they can write a book. In today's episode, I share how we can flip the script and use your book to build your audience. In this episode, I cover: - the goals behind growing an audience (i.e. why do we care) - why a book is a wonderful tool for growing and connecting an audience - different ways to build your audience through your book As always, p...

Can I write a book using ChatGPT? The short answer is maybe! In this episode, I explain: - What is ChatGPT - How to get started using - What this AI tool can do - How you may (or may not) want to use it when writing your book Checkout out ChatGPT! As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on I...

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Rockword, founder of "Unscripted Sales" and author of Joyful Selling. Michelle helps coaches sell their programs with pure joy and zero sleaze. In our conversation, we dive into: - the selfish reason that motivated Michelle to write her book (and should motivate you too!) - how she was able to use her book writing process to really b...

Any creative person has "tools" they like to use to express themselves. For writers, you need more than just your laptop or notebook. In the final episode in our four-part series on 20 Writing Tips for Your Writing Journey, we are ending with the fun writerly gear we like to use. Here are our 5 tips of things to have in your writing toolkit: Make your environment cozy. Create the right sound (or l...

Ok, so in our 4-part series, we are now to Part 3. You've gotten your words down, you have a draft going, and now how do you really make your words appealing to the reader and jump off the page? Here are our 5 tips for doing just that: Capture moments, memories, conversations, a turn-of-phrase, or what your MeeMaw used to tell you. Don’t try to “write smart”--people want to feel as though they are...

Welcome to Part 2 of our four-part series where I share the top 20 tips my team and I feel best support anyone on their writing journey. In this episode, I share the next five tips focused on getting words down or drafting your book. Here is a brief overview: Word vomit, without judgment. Talk to yourself in writing about your writing Be unapologetically messy Start by telling a story… and then an...

This is a kickoff for a series on what my team and I feel are the top 20 writing tips to support anyone on their writing journey. Part 1 focuses on getting started, and I share 5 simple tips to help you with setting up your writing journey. Here is a brief overview: Don’t wait for the “right” time to write–it will never happen. Write yourself a message with your intention at the top of your docume...

Once you decide you are finally going to write your book, you may be looking for the best ways to support your writing process. Today's episode breaks down the most common approaches I see people using: Solo: writing and publishing on your own Piecemeal: piecing together and investing in support as you need it Full coaching and writing support: investing in a full writing and coaching support prog...

You not only know you want to write a book, but you want to write multiple books and leave a legacy of core messages from your business and life experiences that will live beyond your lifetime. In today's episode, I break down the unique, embodied path for creating this legacy. Here is the summary: You have been getting that tug for a reason How will you feel when you are holding your book? Get co...

Want to learn the behind-the-scenes way that I support clients in finally planning their process for writing and publishing their book? Today's episode includes a breakdown of: How to begin planning your book (it's not what you think!) Why reflection is an important first step How your "why" behind your book is the secret sauce for actually writing it My powerful "backwards design" process (I brea...

In today’s episode, I’m giving you access to one of my most popular trainings: “3 Ways to Know If You Are Ready To Write Your Book” Here is what you can expect: How to know if a book is right for you without wasting a lot of time researching The secret to knowing what your book should be about A simple next step to begin sharing your important message If you are anything like me, you get cool idea...

I have an amazing new client who my team and I are helping complete the final formatting of her book and helping her submit to Amazon KDP. We were getting a bit tangled on when to publish her book, when it could feasibly be ready and available for purchase, and whether to do a BIG launch or not! I could tell she was getting a bit worried about whether she was going to do the “right” thing or not....

If you have ever had to do any kind of planned communication whether verbally or written, you probably have had to consider how you want to begin. In today’s episode, I break down the common ways folks can begin their books, bring the reader in, and get the reader ready for the rest of the book: Foreword: typically something someone else writes for you to prep the readers for the book, and brag on...

Get excited because we have a special guest today! In a world that praises and centers the brain as the primary source for healing and transformation, Laura Wieck has spent her career helping others connect to the wisdom within their body and fully live life connected. The past 7 years, she has grown BodyMind Coaching into a world-class coach training organization that has trained hundreds of holi...

In 2008, I co-authored an article in the English Journal called "The Five-Paragraph Essay and the Deficit Model of Education." I have not let up since on my mission to eradicate this "form" of writing so often used in schools. In today's episode I dive into: 1. What the 5-paragraph essay is 2. Why schools use it 3. The issues with it and why it actually doesn't help young writers 4. How it may be...

Ok, so you aren't quite ready to start writing your book. That's ok! In today's episode, I share 3 tips on how you can best prepare yourself for when you are ready to write your book. I focus on the following: 1. Content organization 2. Maximizing your word assets 3. Capturing (with a book in mind) Be sure to take notes and share which tip you like best! As always, leave us a review so that more p...

When I start working with a new client I often ask them one really powerful question: What will it feel like you publish? In this week's episode, I'm going to share two new books that are out in the world because we just hit publish! Yay! And I am gonna brag and brag and brag on them in this episode! I'm also going to talk about the publishing process a bit and things to consider from font to cove...

I know you are in the business of helping people get huge transformations in their lives. Most of the people I work with deliver that transformation in a book, but they also have programs, courses, and other offerings as well. What if you could find a way to put it all together and give people just a little taste, a little win to get started? This is where the idea of a micro-course and mini-book...

Have you ever worked so hard & so long for a dream, only to realize it was no longer aligned with you? Have been so determined to push yourself and hustle, only to have your body completely fail you and force you to rest? If you are nodding, then you have wrestled with the very juicy life lessons that author and coach, Halinka Prevett, shares in her first book, Vulnerably Authentic: A Journey...