Many conferences and programs use a process where speaker proposals are solicited from Speaker Authors. Generally, a Call for Proposals is posted on the organization’s website or sent to their list of speakers and members anywhere from one month to more than a year in advance of the conference. We bet you’re wondering: are these a waste of time? We …

At the National Speakers Association Winter Workshop in Orlando last year, Mark Levy presented a session on how to write the best book of your life. While there were many valuable nuggets from his program, the idea that really grabbed me was his idea of using the album and the singles concept. Mark suggested that best-selling albums have best-selling singles …

What do you do when you’re writing away, and you realize you need a statistic or fact that you saw last week? And what do you do when you know there is THE perfect word that should be included in your writing, but it eludes you? Inexperienced writers may be tempted to stop everything to find the missing data point …

What can I possibly accomplish in two minutes? If you’re a part of my group coaching program, or if you’ve attended one of my writing workshops or retreats, you know the power of two minutes! We regularly use two-minute writing prompts, which help us stop over-thinking our writing and just get the words on the page. And, if you think …

As writers, we hear it all the time: “Show, don’t tell!” And intuitively, we know it’s better when we can take the reader on the journey with us. But the question is, HOW do you show the reader and not tell the reader. I was thinking about just this after a coaching session with a client (you know who you …

Talk Back! (To Your Negative Voice) You know that negative voice that won’t leave you alone—especially when you’re embarking on a new challenge or goal. Who do you think you are? What makes you think you can write? It’s a familiar voice for authors and aspiring authors, so much so that one of the exercises we explored at the three-day …

Have you ever found yourself disengaged from an otherwise compelling story? Recently I heard an excellent speaker tell his story about overcoming incredible adversity. While it was an absorbing story well-told, I found myself feeling disengaged. Why? I contemplated this question, and I realized that not once did that speaker include me in that story. Yes, it was HIS story. …

In November 2021, Denise Gabel invested in a VIP Writing Experience with book coach Cathy Fyock at her home in Punta Gorda, Florida. Denise flew home with a first draft of her manuscript. But what’s the “rest of the story”? Denise left the session and signed with Everett O’Keefe at Ignite Press, and together they published Denise’s book that launched …

Need a little inspiration for your next writing project? Look no further! First, think about the thesis for your project, then review this image and find the connection. What does this image symbolize for your reader? Put 5, 10, or 15 minutes on the clock and GO! Now you’ve got the start for a new post or a new approach …

Are you interested in more visual writing prompts to spark your writing? Here are ten prompts to help you generate fresh content and exercise those writing muscles! August Image Writing Prompts