Homestaging your book

Have you ever thought about how people will approach looking at your book?  Of course it would be great if they started at the front, read all the way through to the end and considered the whole thing totally wonderful.

From experience as a librarian,writer and observer of book buyers, that's not what happens.

I've seen the following happen:

• start at the back and look at the comments
• flick through to see how long the chapters are
• go to the introduction to learn about the author

In short, every which way happens.  Which is why you need to consider this not only when writing the book but working out the layout.

I'd equate it to how people view houses for sale.  Some are thinking about the plumbing, some about the garden and still others wondering how they can fit in all their ornaments.

And you need to consider how your writing can appeal to all of them.

This is a short extract from The Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas.  For more information on how to purchase this book please go to http://www.writerslittlebook.co.uk/

Why write a book?

Every author I've worked with, including myself, asks the question, 'why would people want to hear what I say?'

When I was talked into writing Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas, I wondered about doing it.  Make no mistake, writing a book, however much you love writing, needs your determination and stamina.

So you might think, is it worth the effort?

Having done it and encouraged and helped others to do it I'd give you a resounding YES!

Well you might say, I would say that wouldn't I since I have  several books to sell.  (Thanks for reminding me of that and I'll give you the link to go and take a look).  But beyond that...

... stop for a moment and think. 

Of your life experience
Of your unique position in the world
and
Of your voice

Perhaps you're thinking, I'm not unique.  But you are because no other human being has ever stood in the place you are at this moment, looking at the world from your eyes.

Pretty spooky when you consider it like that isn't it?  I know it makes me think.

So even if you write on the same topic as 40 or 400 other writers, it's not going to come out exactly like anybody else.  Unless you copy word for word and we know that's not on.

Whenever I've started something new, a course of study, a new job, a new project, I've said to myself, 'If I can help someone else just one other person to deal with their life, make progress or find the courage to make a change,  then I'll be happy.'

Just one other person.  That's who you might reach with your book.  And you might be the only person who can reach them.

And if that's the case, what will happen to that person if you don't share what you know?

Whether you're going to lift their spirits, help them learn a new skill or open a door into a different way of life, that's what you're sharing.  Far beyond merely the words on the page.

If you have that book burning away inside of you, let it out.  Until you let it out you have no idea of its impact not only on others but on you.

Because the first person it will change is you.

And if you need help, head over to www.writerslittlebook.co.uk/buythebooks.html 

My Writing Anniversary

It's a year ago today since my first book The Writer's Little Book. . . With Big Ideas was launched.

I called it a little book because we designed it to fit in a pocket or normal sized handbag. Something you could dip into at odd moments. On a train, a quick coffee break, or that chapter before you drop off to sleep.

Although it is a small book, I intended it to have a big reach which is why I added, With Big Ideas. I wanted as I now want all my books to inspire you as a writer.

It was written, as all my books are written from a practical standpoint. We need help as writers, all of us. We need advice, encouragement and support.

That's why I created the Writers Little Book Club to help provide that support. In the last year I've tried to include things I thought would help. Ideas and support that I would have liked.

This year I want more ideas from you as to what you will find helpful.

In 12 months I've created 3 books and there's another one on the way. What I've realised is that writing likes speed. Since I write primarily for a business audience, responding to people's needs is important and producing small books fast is a great solution.

Maybe you want to write that bestseller and if so that's okay. But that may take more time and while you're doing that, what else can you do to help support your writing career.

I believe that it's a great time to be a writer. There's support, ideas and ways of publishing that didn't exist 10 years ago.

Whatever you want to achieve with your writing in the next 12 months, I wish you all the best ideas, plots and supports.

If I can help you in any way, then please let me know.

In the meantime you can find details of all my current books at www.writerslittlebook.co.uk

Writing for your business

Writing For Your Business; what stops you?

At the course on motivation I attended last week, the one thing every one was moaning about was being overwhelmed by all the 'stuff' they had to do.

I can understand because in my rollercoaster few years as a writer my workload has fluctuated and I've never been less than busy. So while of course I've speeded up as I've gained experience it still means that the more organised I've been the better.

And I have a habit of attending courses on the Internet which feeds in 'more stuff to do.'

In my own defence I've had to develope some systems to stop me hating what I do. Which sounds odd because I love writing. But when everything is to deadlines and client's brief then sometimes it takes away the actual pleasure of the writing.

One of the mantras I give people especially when they're developing as writers and don't have much confidence is write for at least 15 minutes a day. And I try honestly to extend that method to what I have to do with all the new web technology and social media etc etc.

I have to admit though that allocating 15 minutes a day to blogging doesn't seem to work for me, though I am trying it again for Tweeting.

What does work well for me though is collecting topics, subjects, queries that people have raised about writing and then allowing an hour to write several blogs about those. I get in the flow and they run well. Then I can schedule them for later in time.

You may like to try it if you think it will help you.

Just to remind you- there are more tips and strategies on the website and of course you can buy my first book from there - Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas.

Writer's Little Book Club and Words For You

What's the difference between the Writer's Little Book Club and Words For You.


I've had one or two people ask me so I thought I'd explain.


Words For You

Words For You is my writing business which I've been running over six years now. If you head over to http://www.words-for-you.co.uk/ you can see more about that side of what I do.



Writer's Little Book Club

Writer's Little Book Club came out of the work I did last year for some of my clients, helping them with various stages of the writing process. My first 'book client' so to speak was Becky Shaw whose book "Wonderfully Strange" about her experiences of the mental health system is due out any time now.


After I'd worked with her, I was asked to put on a workshop for 3 people who all wanted to write but hadn't got very far down the road. They enjoyed the workshop so much that they egged me on to put it into book format. Which is what I've done.


So the first book is out; Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas.


This is intended to help you get going if you're stuck for inspiration, push you on if you're suffering from writer's block and show you all the different parts of the process.


Because the group of us who got together to write the book have such a wealth of experience, and love reading, writing and selling books, we decided to form the Writer's Little Book Club. My daft idea is to make it like a Puffin Club for adults with all sorts of training, activities and support.


We're still canvassing ideas from readers of the book so keep coming back to the site, http://www.writerslittlebook.co.uk/ to find out what we've added.


We look forward to being in contact at some point. We're intending to push all the training through the Club so join up - it's free.





We planning to have some fun with it while being very serious about helping you advance your writing.