A pinch of planning can prevent a pound or two of rewriting. When most people come to me for coaching, they're all charged up and chomping at the...
2 Things To Write Before You Write Your Book
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3 Ways to Evaluate Your Book Idea
It may not be true that everyone has a book inside them, but it sure seems like it’s true that everyone you meet has got at least a dozen good ideas...
The Puccini Principle of Communication
David Belasco was one of the great figures in American theater history. He wrote, directed, or produced over a hundred plays, launched the careers...
Know Your Reader: Write for a Real Person
“Who’s your ideal reader?” That’s a question I ask in the early stages of coaching an author through a book. Most of my clients give me a...
How Long Should It Take to Write My Book?
“Beats me.” That was my standard reply when a prospective book coaching client asked me how long it would take to write their book. I wasn’t being a...
3 Ways To Create Better Book Plans
Jerry was an interesting case. He didn’t want full-on coaching, just the answer to a simple problem. Jerry had started writing his book three times....
Choose Your Publishing Path. Traditional, Hybrid, or Self-Publishing?
What’s the difference between traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing? A person thinking about writing a book asked me that...
The Active Muse: 3 Ways Exercise Will Make You a Better Writer
I figure there’s probably a gazillion writing tips on the internet. They’re about research, structure, plotting, and character development. They...
Book Writing Lessons From the Velveteen Rabbit
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, or bit by bit?” The Velveteen Rabbit asks that question in Margery Williams's book. The rabbit...
Music Has Charms To Make You a Better Writer
When my son Dave was in high school, he had a long walk every morning from our house to the BART station. He loves music, so he listened to music...
