One of the most heartwarming discussions I have ever had on this blog was when I asked, “Is writing with vulnerability a sign of low self-concept?” The comments from my readers were full of wisdom and insights. I especially liked the way Shakira Dawud of DeliberateInk.com linked vulnerability and risk taking to humility. She said: “When […]
Book Writing Process
Write Your Book: A Guide to Getting Started and Staying Productive
Today I introduce a friend and colleague who has taught me so much about setting goals, managing my time, and making one of the most important projects of my lifetime, my book, happen. Please give a warm welcome to business and life coach extraordinaire, Kaarina Dillabough. And feel free to ask your questions in the […]
Why Every Author Needs to Hire an Editor
One thing I’ve learned this year as a debut author is is that having an idea for a book is a long, long way from having the book. Part of that, if you plan to self-publish, is getting professional eyeballs on your manuscript, so the book will be bought and read and not thrown in […]
Why Am I Here?: Navel Gazing for Writers
We writers have grand plans. Getting an A-list agent. Selling 250,000 copies of our first book. Scheduling our appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America. We know we have to do a lot of work—writing the book and promoting the heck out of it—but sometimes it can feel that our end goal was […]
What I Learned On My 5-Day Social Media Diet
In the last five days, I have been on a social media diet, trying to figure out what is most important to me. What feeds my soul. What makes me jump out of bed itching to start my day, ‘with bells on,’ as Mama used to say. An unexpected change in my plans to attend […]
Guy Kawasaki Hits a Home Run with His New Book, ‘APE’
Before you say, “But I’m not especially fond of primates,” hang on. APE stands for Author-Publisher-Entrepreneur. And I am going out on a limb here when I say that this is one of the most honest, least hypey, overall best books I have read on self-publishing in a long time. Kawasaki and his co-author Shawn […]
A Sneak Peek (and Free Lifetime Membership) for Cat’s Eye Readers—if You Hurry
Many of you who hang around here are published authors. Some of you are writers with a book in the works—or on your to-do list. And even if you don’t have plans to write a book, you probably know writers in your family or social networking circles. You know me. I’m not one to get […]
From Book to Blog to Book Again
Larry Brooks, author of the the new book Story Engineering, offers excellent advice on positioning your blog as a platform for your book.