By The Author’s Writer, August 16, 2022
Now that you’re delving into the process of writing your book, you may have experienced some stops and starts, some detours, and/or some rabbit trails that lead to dead ends. That’s okay! That’s actually a part of the process of writing. These are things that, as a writer, you will need to work out through the act of writing.
However, sometimes it’s helpful to have a guide along the way. I have had many writing guides, which are now popularly called writing coaches or book coaches. But, back then, they were just guides. Regardless of how we may label them, I made sure that my writing was scrutinized, picked apart, and critiqued by writers who were more experienced than I was at the time. This made me a much better writer. In fact, I have fond memories of working with certain mentors. What all of those mentors, or book coaches, had in common was that they were tough. They did not sugar coat anything. They told me what did not make sense, suggested how to fix it, which made my writing so much better. For their constructive criticism, I am forever grateful.
I also learned another important lesson. That writers need to be humble from time to time. They need to detach themselves from their writing, which can be hard. They also need to know when and how to ask for help. They also need to know how to listen to feedback and not get upset about having their writing critiqued.
Going on a writing journey? Take along a book guide and coach!
In my beginning days as a writer, let’s say during my college years, I completely followed what other people directed me to do. I had been writing for many years by this time, but I also knew that I did not know everything there was to know about writing. I still don’t. I listened to feedback and asked a lot of questions and made the proper adjustments. I also did not feel proud or boastful about my writing. I knew what my writing weaknesses were and always strived to improve. After I graduated from college, I took on writing projects and assignments that I did not especially like so that I would be taken out of my element and forced to work harder.
Now, fifty years later, I consider myself to be a professional writer.
Why am I telling you this?
Firstly, because after all of those years of writing, I am still passionate about writing. In fact, ideas are always coming to mind about how I can improve the piece I am working on. I can see the story or idea first in my mind before I record it on the page and after I record it on the page, I can see it again and make changes. It is a continual process of reseeing the piece from different angles and perspectives.
If I would not listened to others’ feedback, if I would not have taken their advice, I would not have become the writer that I am today. Not only a writer, but also a ghostwriter, editor, book coach and mentor, SEO writer, journalist, creative writer, poet, short story writer, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, etc. I have worn many hats throughout my writing years, and I also made a career out of it. Not only that, I made writing my mission. This would not have been possible without asking for feedback, being humble about the criticism, and then making the necessary adjustments. Later on, as I matured as a writer, I learned which feedback to listen to and which feedback to dismiss. I had grown as a writer, and I had clearer vision of my writing mission.
Each and every day I meet people who want to write a book, know someone who is writing a book, or have started writing a book but have not completed it. I meet people who have written books, but those books are not getting into readers’ hands for various reasons. It could be firstly that the writing is grammatically correct, but the message is not compelling. It could be that the cover is lacking, or it could be that dollar signs are floating in these authors’ eyes, but they do not care so much about their content, just selling books. It could be that their message is amazing, but they have not created an infrastructure or loyal fan base, which is different than just having a lot of followers, so no one really knows about it, like a diamond in the rough.
Whatever the case, I have come to realize that aspiring authors and authors alike may need a little help from a writer friend now and then, which is why I created my 21-day program as well as my latest book on promoting books organically. I am here to help every writer along their unique journey as a book coach, from idea to promotion. I can assist as a ghostwriter, an editor, a writing mentor and guide, a book coach, and more.
Thanks, always, for your love and support,
The Author’s Writer
