Book Writing Archives | Page 2 of 8 | Jennifer Lancaster

Doing research to create a book and blast writers block

May 14, 2025

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…

May 27, 2025

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…

May 14, 2025

Book Writing, Writers Mindset

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…

May 14, 2025

Book Editing, Book Writing

What is Redrafting and Why does it Matter?

So, you’ve pumped out the first draft of your nonfiction or creative nonfiction book. Sweat, tears and research done. Now what? Well, this where the real work begins. Lee Kofman calls this redrafting work ‘layering’, as different edit rounds build towards the final masterpiece. With my book coaching program, I do the fun work of looking at structure and voice, and prompting the writer to fill in all the things that a reader won’t know about. If they’re telling a story which ends suddenly and I feel dissatisfied, I know the writer needs to add more detail and thoughts. Kofman also says, “It is imperative to take off the blinkers … and turn searingly honest about the quality of our work”. (You can read her writer’s blog at LeeKofman.com.au). After all, it is only through years of writing, comparative reading,…

July 1, 2024

Book Writing, Updates

Helping Authors to Share a Sincere Message, Despite AI

In the ever-evolving publishing landscape, it’s crucial to think about the quality and authenticity of written work. The rise of AI-generated content has raised concerns about the integrity of literary publications – even those direct to KDP. However, seasoned writer Jennifer Lancaster notes that discerning book lovers are quick to spot insincere content, and it’s important to retain a heartfelt message in all literary and customer-focused publications. In response to this pressing issue, the Australian Publishing Association and the Australian Society of Authors have put out statements, while the Small Press Network wants to see defence of creators’ copyright and IP. The APA stated: “Poorly regulated AI development risks distorting the publishing value chain, and threatens to displace our creative workforce, and destroy our creative ecosystem of bookstores, literary festivals, and more.” The ASA’s position is: “We support the development…

August 5, 2024

Book Writing

Everybody wants Inspiration to Write, Nobody wants Perspiration

There seems to be many myths surrounding writing a book (or a paper, for that matter). Most of these centre on the idea of ‘the muse’ and waiting for inspiration to strike. We mess about all day, thinking we’re adding to our work by reading a bunch of articles, going on Quora, and then immediately forgetting what was found. I don’t want you to be that person. The one thing you might want to stop to read is a book I found years ago. It’s called ‘55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer’ by Roy Peter Clarke. In the preface, it says: “These practical tools will help to dispel your writing inhibitions, making the craft central to the way you see the world. As you add tools to your workbench, you’ll begin to see the world as a storehouse of writing ideas.…