Getting clear on the purpose for your writing is one of the significant hurdles to getting your book completed. If you don’t know how you’ll use your book in your business, you may miss the mark or fail to leverage the full value of your authorship. By being clear on how your book will benefit you and your business, you’ll …
To Whom It May Concern
To whom it may concern: I will no longer listen to you. You are the voice that reminds me of all the failures (real or perceived) in my life and my business. I now know that not only are you wrong but the things you say are completely baseless. I know not from whence you came, whether you are …
Adding Muscle
Later on in the writing process, when you’ve got some sections finished, you might be concerned that there just isn’t enough stuff there. It’s a sensible feeling, really; you’ve been writing to no one in particular, and even though you do have enough knowledge and insight in your own head, not all of it will spill out. There might be …
Is your love of the idea of having a book stopping you from writing it?
When I asked why they hadn’t written their books, that same woman raised her hand again. “I’m afraid,” she said. “While I really like the idea of having a book, I’m scared about writing a book.” I agree. As many of you know, I’m not one who was told by my teachers that I should explore a career in writing. …
Why do you write? with guest blogger Kyle Jones
It begins with one. One word. One thought. One idea. One sentence. One paragraph. One post. One article. One book. One writer. One reader. In the end and above all else, anything else doesn’t matter. All that matters is where it begins…with one. Your written word? What impact do you have? What do you write? Why Do You Write? I …
Writing Blogs, Articles, and Books to Boost Your Career – Part 4
You’ve done your homework: now you’re ready to write the article. What are the considerations to review as you begin? Some recommendations: Refer to the guidelines supplied by the publication. Generally, double-spaced, clean, legible copy is desired, although increasingly, providing articles on disk or via electronic media is requested. I’ve found that my articles stand a better chance of getting …
Writing Blogs, Articles, and Books to Boost Your Career – Part 3
Now that you have an idea of your topic and its treatment, you must decide where you will send your article for possible publication. You may even want to do this before you begin to write, since all publications have a unique format, content, and writing style. To begin your data base for media contacts, consider the following action strategies. …
Writing Blogs, Articles, and Books to Boost Your Career – Part 2
Narrowing the Scope of Your Article Now that you’ve selected the topic, you must narrow the scope of your article. Consider these guidelines for defining the specific issue and treatment: * Focus on one element of the topic * How to’s for implementation * Steps and procedures * Pros and cons, particularly for controversial issues * Key ideas, tips, and …
Writing Blogs, Articles, and Books to Boost Your Career – Part 1
How can I possibly find time to write articles, you may ask? I’m so busy handling all my duties as a professional–who has time for writing articles? But what if you knew that by writing blogs, articles, or even a book you could gain the attention of your leadership team, create a professional “brand” outside of your organization, and boost …
The Naked Dream
I was having a recurring dream: I would be involved in a business meeting or speaking engagement, and look down and realize, oh my gosh, I’m naked! I was surprised and embarrassed, and woke up each night wondering what that crazy dream was all about. During the same time period I was beginning to write my first book, and found …