Posts by Amy Isaman
5 Ways to Ensure Your Book Adds to the Conversation in Your Topic
This afternoon my 20-something son Facetimed me. We talk on the phone and text quite often, but I hadn’t seen his face since August. I got totally distracted as soon as he popped onto the screen and started chatting. “Stop,” I finally interrupted him in mid-sentence. “Do you have a mullet?!?“ “Yeah!” He grinned, turning sideways, so I…
Read MoreHow to Organize Research for Your Book
If you’re writing a book, at some point, you’ll need to research, whether it’s a tiny factoid to supplement a scene or story, or a deep dive into psychological studies to build your argument. Conducting research is part of the job description. The challenge comes in organizing the information so that we can find it…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Writing a Book (beyond the sales)
When we think of writing a book, we often think of the final product and holding that completed book in our hands. It’s also what clients and potential clients often want when we first start working together. So much of the marketing for writing a nonfiction book centers on the financial or business benefits potential…
Read MoreDiscovering Your Writing Process: how to find it and why you should
One of the greatest surprises of my mid-life existence is that I’ve discovered that I love Cross Fit (X-fit). My twenty-something children thought it was hilarious when I first started going, but three years in, they don’t laugh anymore. It’s just mom going to the gym. I love it because I don’t have to think…
Read MoreTaking a Writing Break ≠ Quitting: Why taking breaks is important for your creative process
Whether you’re deep into drafting your ninth book or your starting on your first, I can guarantee that you will hit hard parts where your project feels heavy and messy. It’s possibly gone in directions you weren’t anticipating or you’ve written it “out of order” and now piecing it all together feels imperative and really…
Read MoreDoes this “flow”? A checklist to check for and create flow in your writing.
Every writing teacher or coach ever has had a student ask this question, “Does my writing flow?” I’d bet money on it. Writers ask it because they know that the piece isn’t flowing, but they have no idea how to fix it or even how to define flow. They just know they haven’t achieved it.…
Read MoreShould you write a nonfiction book?
Writing a book is hard work. It’s an investment of time, money, and creative energy. There are also few guarantees, despite what many publishing consultants tout as reasons for writing a book. However, there are some real reasons to write a book for both yourself and your business. Why write a book for your business?…
Read MoreHow do you know if you’re ready for (or even need) a book coach?
Book coaching involves an investment of time, money, and even emotions and personal growth, so you want to be sure that if you make that investment, you’ll get the results you’re looking for, whether that’s clarity on your book ideas, a proposal that’s ready to pitch, or a solid manuscript that’s ready for editing and…
Read MoreSome Thoughts on Creative Resistance
Ever felt like you wanted to write, you really really did, but it just felt hard? So you did the laundry instead or wiped down your already clean counters because that felt useful and easier? I think we’ve all been there. All my laundry got done last week though I did also write but some days felt…hard.…
Read MoreWhat is your WHY for writing your book (and why it’s important to know)?
I’m writing this post because I am over all the BS you read online that says writing a book is an easy-peasy project that you can complete in a weekend, or a month, and you’ll scale your business, fill that funnel with leads, or make a gazillion dollars once you do it. That’s a bunch…
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