Everything you learned in school and know about writing is wrong. Adverbs are bad verbs. The writing world is different than the educational writing world.
Learning to write well is like learning a new language. There are many rules and guidelines that schools teach you, but in reality there’s no right or wrong way of doing things when it comes down just writing creatively for your own personal satisfaction – at least not until we get into the nitty-gritties: adverbs versus verbs; passive voice over active suddenly becomes important (hint hint); how long should sentences be? What kind?? Umm.. anyways
In Episode 7 of the Serious Writer Podcast Bethany Jett and Cyle Young discuss why everything you know about writing is wrong and what you can do to change it:
Go to a writers conference. Now.
Read in your genre and subgenre. Learn the style of that genre.
Get the resources you need from the beginning. (Emotions thesaurus & Story Trumps Structure)
TIP: The 1st book might not be published.
You can practice into publish later.
Fear: I won’t have another story after this one.
Tip: Learn the rules first before you break them.
Modern story is based on 3-act structure. Act 1 is short. Act 2 is rising action over the middle and it’s longer; character development. Climax. Act 3 is descending action.
Fantasy: Hero’s Journey of the 3-Act Structure.
04. Know how to structure a story.
05. Set a regular writing time period or a daily word count. Earnest Hemingway – writes 500 words a day. Stephen King writes 2000 words a day. Jack London – 1500. Mark Twain – 1400. Michael Crighton – 10,000 words – Jurassic Park. Suggestion – start lower until you’re consistent.
06. Just write and don’t edit.
07. Write in scene, not sequence. The Tik Tok guide to writing a book.
“The ones that work the hardest and hustle the most get the book deals.” – Cyle Young
“If someone tells you that you need platform, they’re just eliminating their competition.” — Bethany Jett
“…net of minutia…” – Cyle Young
“You don’t get a pass for being new.” — Bethany Jett
“An erratic writing life produces erratic results. A consistent writing life produces consistent results.” — Cyle Young
LINK: Bethany quoted Seth Godin as building the platform “three years” ago. Here’s the actual quote we need to share: “The best time to start that was seven years ago. The second best time is right now. So start!” – Seth Godin Reference link: https://writetodone.com/seth-godin-part-2/
1:26 10 Tips for children’s writing 1:42 Moral Dilemma 2:58 Entertainment 4:45 Hangout with kids (know your audience) 10:39 Short and Sweet 12:06 The mentor influencer research method 15:05 Social media and research 22:09 Fiction Writing Tips 23:29 Don’t start with “weather” 25:16 Prologues 32:21 NO Exclamation Points!!!!! (except for Bethany’s exception!) 35:55 Don’t use Dialects 38:15 Conclusion, Second Annual Intensive, and Contest Details
Joyce Glass is a writer, speaker, writing coach and lover of most things chocolate! Her desire is to encourage you to write your book and share your expertise with the world. She loves to teach the power of story in nonfiction, and has a passion to see you connect with your clients and customers.
She has self-published two books while helping others create their nonfiction book. Weekly she shares writing tips on her podcast The Write Hour – Nonfiction Tips From The Write Coach.
The best part of being a writing coach is watching her clients create their own masterpiece, and seeing their joy when they share it with the world.
You can connect with Joyce through social media and on her website www.thewritecoach.biz
Show Notes
How did you become a book coach?
It took me four years to write my first book, and that’s what lead me to coaching. I tried this, and tried that, and worked really hard, but I didn’t make a whole lot of progress. Finally, when I got a system down, that’s when it helped me. It also encompasses my love for teaching, because I love to teach people concepts that they aren’t sure about or don’t know, and then watch them grow. It’s so much fun for me. It’s the blend of all of my gifts in the perfect way.
What are lessons you’ve learned as a writing coach?
I, now that I edit so much, am much more conscientious when I’m writing, and I’ve got to turn that editor off sometimes. But, it’s also helped me make my writing stronger.
What does a coaching session look like?
With each client, I always start them with getting their content organized. We have a lot of fun. I get to know them. We work hard, and I take them through the steps. And then after they get their clarity and they get their outline done, then I take them on the journey of actually writing. Essentially, when you’re working with me you’re getting coaching and editing all at the same time.
Explain the coach/client relationship.
You need the mindset that this is like a business. You need to have that kind of seriousness. If you didn’t show up for work every day, you wouldn’t get paid and you’d eventually get fired. Essentially, the relationship is that if you want to get the book done, then you need to make the commitment to do it. I want that kind of client, who is ready to get it done.
How do you know when you’re ready to hire a writing coach?
I’d say even if you’re at the beginning stages you can use a writing coach. But, you’ve got to be ready to be serious about it, because it is a commitment. If you’re not ready to get serious – if you know you want to do this, but you’re not quite there yet – just keep writing. The main thing is get the content out there, and then we can make it beautiful later.
Do you have any advice for writers who are considering becoming a book coach?
Take baby steps. Get one or two clients. Don’t try to get five at one time. Get a process. I learned how to create a system to take them through. Figure out a process that works for you, and a style that works for you. And know the kind of client that you want, the kind of book that you want.
What is your four step process to the “Best Book Ever?”
(This is the process in a general since. A complete course in the process can be found for free at www.thewritecoach.biz)
1. Know your general, overarching topic 2. Break that down into your specific topic 3. Know the desired outcome. What do you want the reader to think, know or do after reading the book. 4. How can they achieve this outcome?
What is one piece of advice you would like to give to a new writer?
Give yourself permission to free-write, to get your ideas out. Then you can go back and get that organized.
