First Word

This week we're going to talk about how to "herd pages," meaning book organization. I recently did a writers' workshop where book organization became the main topic. Many writers struggle with getting their books into an understandable format that works. This week, though, let's discuss organization of nonfiction books vs. fiction (two different animals). In some ways, organizing a nonfiction book is much more formulaic - that is, unless you're doing a biography or memoir. Memoirs are more like fiction books, and you can take several different approaches.   When it comes to nonfiction books, here are some basic tenants to structure (consider this your quick-tip guide):   Preface - you may or may not want one. A subject matter expert often writes the preface. This person has reviewed your book and comments about what the reader is about to read. When it comes to nonfiction book you definitely want to invite someone to write it who has a ...

This week's topic: writing from experience. Many years ago I went and listened to Alice Walker , who wrote The Color Purple , speak about writing. I was in my twenties and eager to make it as a writer. As is the case with most young people, I thought I had the emotional depth to tackle any subject. Walker said she didn't hit her stride as a writer until she hit her forties. Screeeeeccchhhh! What? She added, she didn't feel she could have written her great works as a young writer without experience to tell the story right (I'm paraphrasing).   I was young. I wanted to write - and I wanted to write something that would resonate with people, make them think. Was I too young, as Walker was suggesting? The answer is complicated. As writers we do need experience to pull from, which gives us a frame of reference. Can you still write about something you've never experienced? Yes, but it's still based on a frame of reference. You write from your knowle...

I was recently thinking how important it is to truly and completely believe in yourself when you're doing just about anything much less writing a book. I'm no different than any of my authors. I have my writer's block, my insecurities, my concerns ... anytime you're putting something out in the public eye for scrutiny-and you're a sensitive artist-you are going to have to face whatever may come.   It's amazing how we can have 20 positive reviews yet one negative one, and all of our attention goes on it. I feel you. I've been down that insane rabbit hole a time or two myself. Yet as a book coach, I try to tell clients not to let one bad apple spoil the bunch. So I was thinking about it.   This whole roulette wheel that puts your book between 0 to somewhere in the middle to best-seller is unpredictable. Clients want me to reassure them, yes, it's a best seller. I am asked all of the time, "Can you assure me this will be a be...