Servant authorship: writing with a focus on serving the reader rather than yourself. It’s a powerful strategy for writers of all kinds.
Writing
Why Your Purpose Matters
What’s the purpose for your writing? Have you thought about it lately, or are you stuck in the daily demands of hitting deadlines and building readership? It’s easy to lose sight of a long-term goal when you’re swamped in details. Take a moment to think about your broader purpose for writing. What impact do you hope […]
Finding a Writing Voice That Fits
A writing voice is like a pair of shoes. You need more than one, and they all need to fit you.
Nonfiction Author Experiences
What Hundreds of Authors Report about Their Experiences Writing a book can feel like a solitary activity. Much of the time, you’re slogging on your own, or deep in your own head. So it’s fascinating to have insight into other people’s experiences. As it turns out, we have a lot in common. Despite the differences […]
Research or Procrastination?
I’m a big fan of doing research. But I’m such a fan that I’m tempted to get stuck in the research phase. It’s fun. It’s fascinating. And it’s a reason to put off writing—especially writing something major, like a book. Are you researching or procrastinating? If you’re working on a doctoral dissertation based on academic […]
The Truth about Outlines
It’s been drummed into your head since grade school: outline before you write. This is excellent advice. Outlines make you think clearly before you write, and keep you on track for longer projects. If you pitch a nonfiction book to an editor, your proposal includes a detailed outline. The editor decides to buy the book […]