CENTRAL MESSAGE OF YOUR BOOK

Writing a book, no matter the topic, creates an intimate and personal experience between the author and reader. Sometimes this experience transcends the ordinary to become something of great value, beauty and importance. It is the author's responsibility to make this possible and it starts with knowing what the "central message" of the book is. The central message is different than the subject, genre or purpose of the book. It is at the core of the author's need to create his book in the first place. It is more than a marketing slogan; it is more like a mutual need or sharing between the author and her audience. It is where the two come together in common purpose.

The central message could become the theme of an entire lifetime of books written by an author or could be the core of only one.
So, here's some points about "central message"

• it resides in your heart rather than brain
• you talk about the message beyond the idea of writing a book
• it represents something in your personal philosophy
• you feel excited when you think about it
• it is what is behind your purpose, the book's purpose, the title, etc.
• "central message"  wakes you in the middle of the night with a new thought or sentence

It is this "central message" that sets your book apart from others on the shelf. For instance, you might be writing about how to make simple plumbing repairs around the house. Your real mission or message is that the average householder has the ability to effect these repairs. In addition to the instructional function, you spend time in your book encouraging your reader to attempt the repair. You are more than a "how-to-er," you are also a cheerleader and encourager. You are passionate about the ability of your reader to be successful in this endeavor and you show it.

I feel the same way with this blog - my central message is to encourage readers like yourself to put aside their fears and write it anyway. There are incredible opportunities in this golden age of writing and I absolutely believe that you can create the book you have dreamed about. In other words, it is about much more than step-by-step instructions, details and technicalities - "central message" represents an emotional touch point that the author/creator wants to share with people around him.

It is the starting point of any book that seeks to rise above the crowd. You will know it is your central message if it creates an emotional response when you say it.

Seth Godin: The New Face Of Publishing

Publishing is not changing - it has already changed. You have noticed in this space previously that I often refer to Seth Godin and his comments and views on the industry. This is another opportunity to look at an industry in serious transition and an industry that each of us has an important connection to. Publishing a book opens opportunities that are limitless - check this information out to help you make the right decision for you and your circumstances.


Seth Godin: The New Face Of Publishing

HOW TO START WRITING

WHEN SHOULD I START WRITING

 This may seem contrary to the purposes of a workshop but begin writing before you do much planning, researching and organizing. Writing – authoring, is a creative process and as such, it is not so much a process as an adventure of the spirit.

If it is a book you want to write, then start writing and forget editing, correcting and second-guessing and let your pen move across the page without the constrictions of a “plan.”

Creation, or more accurately, creativity does not respond well to a plan, it responds better to allowing your inner muse a free reign.

Soon enough, you will have a blueprint for harnessing that creativity but true authenticity and connection with your reader comes from letting yourself write what is inside.

Trust yourself!

excerpt from the WRITE YOUR BOOK NOW WORKBOOK

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK?

And yet another reason why retirement for writers and mayors is not always in the cards. If your book isn't finished, or perhaps not even started, have faith, there are others who still have things to do, too. Like Hazel...



thanks to follower CD for the heads up

ARE WRITING WORKSHOPS WORTH IT?

Today I had an interesting question from a potential writing workshop participant who wanted to know what he would learn in the half day event that he couldn't learn online by himself. The reply is - nothing. The difference is that a workshop (mine, anyway) is based on hundreds of hours of online research, years of personal experience from writing over 3 books ( I could make a case for 5 or 6), thousands of hours of client writing time, the combined knowledge gleaned from coaching authors of every stripe, 60 years of reading, collaborations with editors, artists, printers, distributors, internet experts, publishers, designers, online media professionals and marketing experts, about 100 hours spent in other writer's workshops, countless webinars, the consistent reading of about 3 dozen writer's blogs, the lifelong thirst for knowledge and a desire to share it and Sister Mary Andrew, my grade 8 teacher from St. John's School in Kitchener, Ontario who made it alright to be intellectually curious and OK to carry a book for the pure pleasure of reading it.
The most important part of this answer is that the workshop combines all of these resources and then distills, organizes and energizes it into three hours dedicated to making the participants successful authors. Added to this is the ability to ask questions, receive feedback, make connections, learn real-world and real-time lessons based on today's realities and walk away with an actionable plan that will result in a better book, written faster and easier that will provide incredible value to the readers and the author.
It was a great question because it forced me to really look at my workshops and revisit the value they bring to the participants over and above the marketing used to sell them. I am very proud of the workshop that I have created because it is based on my lifelong passion for the written word and the absolute belief that everyone has a story to tell and my mission is to encourage them to do just that. Thanks again for asking.

ARE YOU STILL WAITING?

Sometimes we wait. We wait to take the vacation of a lifetime. We wait to tell someone we love them. We wait until we have enough money. We wait until we retire. We wait until we have a heart attack. We wait until we have more time.
If you are still waiting to start or finish writing the book you have always threatened to create, perhaps you will find some inspiration in this video - it's a good one! Thanks to "follower" Dawnie for the heads up.

MORE ABOUT SELF PUBLISHING, E-BOOKS & PRICING

Still wondering about whether this e-book craze will catch on?
Still think that e-books should be priced the same as hard copy books?
Still wondering how to make money as a writer.
Still hoping to land that publishing contract with a traditional?

You might not have the same results but if one person can do it, then why not you and me?
Good writing plus good promotion - that's what every author is responsible for, and what every author has in her control.
Take a look here.