I've got a HEAP of content for my book that I've been chipping away at. Chapters in various stages of iteration. Research in various stages of compilation. All captured in the online tool I use, Notion. Here's the thing though that I give all credit to Holy Spirit for nudging me with. (There's nothing like the 1hr drive home from the office for thinking time). Until I sit down at my laptop to work on it - I don't "see" it. If I saw it, for example, in printed form on my desk - I'd pick it up and read through it, make some notes etc. In other words - make progress with it but just in a different way BECAUSE I know that I am very tactile. Highlighters. Fluro coloured flags. Stickers. You get the idea. So - in the morning I'm printing a hard-copy of what I've got so far, and putting it on my desk. And of course, I won't be able to help myself. I'll sit down and read through it - which will show me where my gaps are - and what I need to work on next. Are you hardcore digital when it comes to this project, or a mix like me?

This tip REALLY landed with me today. I have felt stuck in the writing process simply because I had it in my head that the doing of the writing is meant to be linear. I write the introduction, then Chapter 1, then Chapter 2 - and so on. I think based on this tip, I've given myself permission to tear down that assumption! I've got a few things that I CAN see, so I'm going to focus the writing in THOSE places. Have you been having the same assumption that I had? If so - I hope this tip set's you free from that!

Do any of these sound familiar? 🤦‍♀️Who am I to write a book? 😔I'm not qualified to do this 🌏There are already lots of books out there on the same topic! Or am I the only one? I think the "there are already books about this..." has been one of the biggest for me that I've had to dismantle once and for all. How about you? Which one resonates - or perhaps you have others to add! Let us know in the comments below!

Think about what your buying process looks like when it comes to choosing a book to buy. One thing I often do in addition to reading the book's description is to read the ratings section. Specifically, comments that readers have made, along with their rating. With an outline mapped out and a clear idea on what I think the structure of the book needs to look like, the idea came to me the other day to do some further research. What I've realised is that reading other people's COMMENTS on books that are on a similar topic to what you want to write about is a GOLD MINE for finding out what your ideal reader likes - and doesn't like. What do you want your readers to experience when they read your book? Clarity? Encouragement? Hope? Something else? Practical application? I'm certain that having a clear idea on what kind of experience I want my reader to have, will function like a compass to help keep me on track. So I couldn't wait to share this idea with you too!

I think I'm learning to give myself permission that 'thinking' time on the book is just as effective as the actual writing! LOVE this quote that creates space for that acceptance. So with that - what are you "thinking" on when it comes to the book you want to write? I'll go first. I'm thinking about research. When I do some research for my book, what's the correct way to reference that. Which then goes down the trail of thinking about the type of research I'd like to do. Your turn 💞