Writing Strategies that Work: Birthing your novel, memoir, or nonfiction project

001 Introduction to Writing Strategies that Work

Welcome, inspired and motivated writers, to Writing Strategies that Work, where I will serve as midwife to the writing project that perhaps you have allowed to languish far too long on a back burner, in a drawer, or simply in your mind’s eye. We were put here on Earth to create; I would love nothing more than to help you surpass your roadblocks and move into flow. You have a writing project. Perhaps it’s your memoir, a nonfiction book, a novel, or a chapbook of poetry. You have been meaning to write it, perhaps you have even talked about it, but the task has not been completed. Listen to me, there is not always tomorrow. Tomorrow is not promised. Your book project becomes part of the legacy you leave behind on Earth; your book project will outlive your children. For that reason, you want to put your best foot forward and publish a polished, edited project. Do not allow that last statement to allow you perfectionists to forever polish and never publish. No. There comes a time to declare, “Good enough,” and go with it. You are bound to find little mistakes after the fact, and if you are with a print-on-demand company, edits can be incorporated. But I am getting ahead of myself. My point here was that your book becomes your legacy and as such is worthy to be completed. You owe your book to the world, for that may be one of the reasons your Creator put you here in this particular life. Fifteen years ago, when I taught middle school, I challenged students to write a novel in 30 days. Believe it or not, it is the initial drafting that is often the hardest. I have found that many of the walls that block people from getting their writing to the next level are easily surmountable when you have the right mentorship or some tips.  My hope is this podcast will help with that. The last time I was in Massachusetts, a former student, now working in the State House, proudly gave me the grand tour, introducing me as the woman who inspired him to write his first novel. I would love to do the same for you. His novel, like many of mine, was at the time garnering dust as a first draft. But at least the first draft was penned! That is more than half the battle, my friend, conquering the first draft to paper. Editing and polishing then becomes fun, later. I wake up each morning to serve my Creator. I created this podcast to be sure people do not go to the grave with their story stuck inside them. Too many people pass too soon, without having captured their memoirs on paper or told that story that has been festering for years. One of the things that I found interesting was how many of my students have stayed in touch with me over the years. I believe part of why they do this is students have found me to provide a safe, nurturing space where they can learn and create in confidence to grow towards writing mastery. My goal is for this podcast to be that space for you, that space that my students loved I want to create it for you here. I started this podcast to help birth your book. I did not start it just to hear myself talk. I started it to reach out to aspiring writers like you. To help get your stories out of your mind and into print, now while the time is ripe! Let me nourish you through the gestation of your book project with tips, prompts, meditations, and guidance. Listen regularly to gain insights into Writing Strategies that Work, then pick one at a time and incorporate them until your projects have manifested! We will include writing exercises and prompts, interviews with other writers where we talk about their writing challenges and successes, and what worked well for them. New episodes will drop weekly. Episode length will vary from 20 to 60 minutes. Please be sure to subscribe to the show, leave a rating and review for the show, and please share it with your friends. Listen to each episode and write with us! Let’s make you part of the Writing Strategies that Work book launch this year! How many novels, memoirs, or nonfiction projects have you been postponing? This could be part of your legacy, getting that book finished and published. Allow me to cheer lead you through the birthing process. Look in the Show Notes for a link to sign up for my free gift to help you get your project out from between your ears and out onto paper!