Editor, Proofreader, Writing Coach, Ghostwriter
A client recently told her neighbor she was working on her second book. The neighbor looked at her in awe and said, “How long have you been a writer?”
That question stuck with me. I could see the neighbor thinking that writing a book required special training. That it wasn’t something as simple as sharing stories to encourage others—something the neighbor probably does every day.
Continue reading “Want to Share Your Story? You’re Ready”When you’re writing a book, it’s easy to get so caught up in the story that you end up on a rabbit trail. A rabbit trail is a detour away from the main focus of your book. How can you tell if you’re on a rabbit trail, and how do you find your way back?
Continue reading “Rabbit Trails and Writing”You want to write a book. You have a message to share. You know the kind of readers you can help with your book. But how do you get started? It feels kind of overwhelming.
Here’s a simple way to start moving toward your book: Write a letter.
Continue reading “Start Your Book by Writing a Simple Letter”A question I hear from new non-fiction book writers is, “How do I organize my material?” While my first answer is always to do what works best for you, I would like to share a strategy I learned in college. I think it will help you see how all your thoughts and notes fit together in your book.
Continue reading “Organizing Your Book Notes by Category”If you’ve been wanting to write a book, but you don’t know where to start, you can get started just by talking. Writing a book doesn’t mean you always have to be writing. Sometimes it’s easier to get thoughts onto a page by saying them out loud.
No writer’s block. No staring at a blank screen. No flashbacks of high school English class. Just talking.
Continue reading “How To Start Writing Your Book Just By Talking”The first question most non-fiction, self-publishing writers ask me is, “What’s the best way for me to start writing my book?”
My answer? The best way is your way. You have to find what works for you. What will bring your words to life for your readers? You’re the only one who will know what works best for you, and it may take a little exploration to figure it out.
No matter which way you choose, there is one very important guideline: Put your heart on paper first, in whatever way you can. All the rest is editing. You figure out the best way to get the words out of your heart and onto the written page (that’s writing). Then you shape the material from there (that’s editing). That takes off a lot of pressure. You don’t need to have everything figured out just to write.
Continue reading “Write Your Book Your Way”
Janet Eriksson 