Writing is a process and habit

Writing is a Process and a Habit

It’s good to keep in mind that writing is a habit — and a book is one potential outcome from that habit. So many want to have the outcome, but they haven’t got room in life for the habit, especially if research is also involved. Let’s take my client BD, a very busy 71-year-old who advises his old business. With overseas trips, interstate trips and 100 family members, he’s got a lot on. His first step involved writing once a week, answering a question on his life (this was a different, automated program). Then he had a weekly or fortnightly call with me for several months to go over small pieces he added to his manuscript. It expanded and I also structured the chronology of events. At the end of nine months, it was almost there. Now just for the…
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How to write the dream book on topic with a writing coach
Book Writing

How You Can Write the Dream Book on Your Topic, with a Writing Coach

Many pre-retirees are looking for ways to preserve their ideas, their life experiences and business takeaways for future generations. In fact, about 15 percent of 55-year-olds want to write a book as part of their retirement ‘bucket list’ (Money magazine). However, transforming that dream into a published reality requires careful planning, dedication, and guidance. Why Work with a Writing Coach? Writing a book can be a daunting task, but working with a writing coach makes the process smoother and more structured. A book writing coach helps you refine your ideas, develop a writing schedule, and improve your storytelling. Whether you are writing a memoir, a guidebook, or a business book, expert guidance can be invaluable in overcoming writer’s block, structuring your content, and ensuring clarity in your message. Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Dream Book Step 1: Hone Your…
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Learning to do, not to have (writer learning)
Book reviews, Book Writing

Learning to Do, Not Learning to Have

Most of the educational learning we do is theoretical and ‘nice to know’, but, according to researchers, has little adaptation to the real world. This is alarming. However, there is a lot we can do to improve our learning and skill take-up. In ‘Ultralearning‘ by Scott H Young, he gives four ways to learn directly. These are: Learn through a Project – SkillShare and Coursera courses let you do this. It works on two levels: your project aim makes for practical outcomes and your learning becomes more enjoyable and fruitful. Immersive Learning – Going to the region to learn the language works far better than learning on an app. The Flight Simulator Method – Students of a US high school found that when trying an important matter in a mock courtroom, they got way more specific, adaptive learning. Critical thinking…
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Doing research to create a book and blast writers block

Doing Research to Create a Book and Blast out Writer’s Block

One of my favourite tools to bust yourself out of blank page staring (writer’s block) is research. In particular, keyword and audience research for creating a book. This is about how research can help you start writing a topic-based book. A Walk Through Audience Research from Keywords First, you will want to do audience research along with keyword research. One without the other will be giving you herrings, red ones. The tool for this is SparkToro, made by Rand Fishkin, an SEO expert leader. What he doesn’t know about finding an audience isn’t worth knowing. Under SparkToro: Demographics you will find ‘Bio/profile terms’, and you see whether the relevant word appears in people’s bio. Are you onto the right target market? Creation, marketing, development were top 3 bio words of the keyword ‘Book Creation’. I could launch a LinkedIn search…
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author contemplating using ChatGPT
Book Writing

If You Use ChatGPT for Book Writing, a Word to the Wise

Last week I bought a Kindle book about Mastering your own Public Relations. Firstly, if you use a title along those lines, you will attract people wanting to DIY their brand publicity/PR and expecting some handy tips. Using ChatGPT can help with getting ideas for chapter titles because it will make the titles in a similar fashion that you can then adjust. But for words? Well, let’s see where the use of ChatGPT for book writing all went wrong. There were some real entrepreneur stories of success in the eBook, and these were the ideas I wanted to be taken deeper into. Many other pieces were quite obviously explanations and benefit lists generated by a chatbot. I recognised the boring tone straight away. Now, there are two reasons that this doesn’t work. The first is, ChatGPT and you don’t speak…
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positive mindset for writers

The Key to a Positive Mindset for Writers

Today’s post is a little different. I want to talk about cultivating the right mindset, as fear and inaction affects book writers. In my forthcoming book ‘20 Most-Asked Questions on Prosperity’, I give readers some positive framework examples and ideas to re-set their ways of thinking. To get back on track to my own goals, I talk about my use of a ‘letting go’ approach. Prior to this, I felt stuck. But why let go of grudges, frustration and fear? Because it helps you handle stressful events and to implement a positive writer’s mindset. Writes Richard Maloney: The key to being Stress-Free and thriving under pressure, is through continual self-awareness and self-regulation. It’s about recognizing your thoughts and actively changing them where necessary.” ‘Stress Free’ – CoachingLife.com Supporting the feelings of writers It can be difficult to uncover the fears…
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