Turn the Page Blog
Thoughts, Musings & Advice on All Things Writing
As a business owner you should be consistently evolving, staying relevant and finding new ways to grow your business, image and brand. There are plenty of “quick fixes” that can be accomplished, giving your profits a temporary boost, but don’t you want to do something that will have a lasting impact on you and your business? It’s time to write a book.
A reading recommendation for authors and readers alike - The Maid is a mystery (the eponymous maid discovers a body at a swish hotel and soon finds herself in the frame for it), but the puzzle feels like the least important part of the story. Molly is such a compelling character, and the writing is just so good, that the whodunnit almost feels like an afterthought. I even found myself bawling multiple times while reading.
When we are setting goals, we need to be realistic. That doesn't mean we can't "dream big" - that just means we need to be aware of our limits and figure out the steps we CAN take it order to make these dreams come true.
You want to write a book, but you probably can't write for eight hours a day - so maybe you set the goal for 20 minutes a day instead.
And if you miss a day once in a while, is it the end of the world? No.
The important thing to remember is that you need to stay focused, and stay accountable, but also be kind to yourself. The more we beat ourselves up, the less likely we are to keep moving forward with our goals, and the more likely we are to just give up and deem ourselves failures.
“Thank you, Megan. I found a less expensive editor.”
Well, ho, ho, ho.
Receiving messages like this never feels good, and even after going on 20 years in the business, it does still feel like a kick in the pants from time to time.
The sad thing about choosing your rates is that no matter what number you choose, there will be people who come along and tell you that you are too expensive. Basically, they want you to do the work for free, out of the kindness of your heart (though more likely it would be out of their ego).
Are there situations in which people have legitimate financial concerns that prevent them from spending money on non-emergency services? Absolutely.
Would I want to have someone give me their last dime and be evicted from their apartment. Of course not.
But what I see a lot, and what truly breaks my heart, is that authors will talk about their writing dreams…and then do nothing about them.
If you’ve followed me on social media at all you’ll have seen the countless mantras that I have posted that encourage authors to see themselves as necessary, creative beings, and worthy contenders in the world of publishing. There is no better time to write that first word, or that last word.
But what happens after a book has been written? Or what if major writing blocks keep an author from moving forward on their journey? What happens then?
Two things happen – authors either a) struggle indefinitely or b) invest in themselves.
By “invest” I do not mean purchase business cards or purchase another writing course they won’t have time to complete. I do not mean search for the perfect pen or pencil or notebook.
I mean they invest their time in their writing, and then when they need help they invest their money in the best possible guidance they can receive.
My purpose on this planet is to help authors make their writing great and their publishing dreams come true. That is my very deepest passion.
It is also my job, and unfortunately I can’t buy groceries with hugs and good wishes.
How do I choose my rates? I want to fall into industry standards, of course, but I also base my rates on my aforementioned nearly 20 years of experience, as well as the level of detail I put into my work.
Any editor can look at a manuscript and say, “your main character is under-developed.” But when I say that, I also go on to ask the author questions (“what is your main character’s goal?” “what are they looking for in life?”) and then give suggestions on how to improve (“if Brody is willing to sacrifice everything in order to bring Susan home, we need to establish the stakes in the first third of the book”).
So, this holiday season, I am sure that you have already spent a ton of cash on things for other people – toys aren’t getting any cheaper! But what did you get for yourself?
Just imagine what 2023 could look like if you knew that your book could finally become a real, tangible thing.
Just imagine how could it would feel to stop getting lost in the questions and the what-ifs, and have someone actually guide you through the process, kicking the roadblocks out of your way.
I’d love to talk to you about your book project, and how I can help you get that book into the readers, hungry for your words.
Hop on over to the Services page on the website, or simply respond to this email and we can see how to find a way for me to give you the assistance you need.
Give yourself (and your book) a gift this holiday season.
As we begin to close out 2022, I wish you the very best!
To you and your book!
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
I thought we’d have a little fun today and explore some writing trivia. I found some wonderful sites with some great facts, and wanted to share some of those with you:
1. John Steinbeck used 300 pencils to write East of Eden and was known to use up to 60 pencils in a day.
2. The word “colygraphia” means “writer’s block.”
3. Gertrude Stein claimed the water-drinking patterns of her dog, Basket, taught her the difference between sentences and paragraphs in writing.
4. Graham Greene would write 500 words a day and then stop – even in the middle of a sentence.
5. Agatha Christie suffered from dysgraphia, which meant she could not write legibly; as a result, she dictated all of her novels.
6. When Dr. Seuss was stuck writing his books, he would go to a secret closet filled with hundreds of hats and wear them till the words came.
7. In the 1891 UK census, 6,000 respondents identified themselves as writers, editors, or journalists; by 1901, the figure had risen to 11,000.
8. Introverts make the best writers. There is a stereotype that writers are lonely, maladjusted introverts who don’t enjoy interacting with other people. While this stereotype isn’t completely true, studies have found that introverts are more creative and thus better creative writers. One of the reasons for this is likely that introversion gives someone more time to think alone, and thinking alone helps to spark creativity.
9. Creative writing is similar to professional athletics. A German researcher, Martin Lotze, studied the brains of both professional athletes and professional writers and found that their brain activity was very similar during athletic competition and the writing process. Interestingly, Lotze found that professional writers and amateur writers had a key difference: Professional writers used their speech-processing center of the brain to develop their stories, while amateur writers relied on their vision centers to imagine the story first.
10. Our language is constantly changing. The English language changes at an astonishing rate. By one estimate, a new word is added to the dictionary every two hours. The conventions for how to use words also change at regular intervals. For example, some of the leading style guides, such as Chicago, APA, MLA, and AP change their rules for how to use punctuation, pronouns, and specific words and phrases at regular intervals. Writers need to keep up with the latest style changes to ensure their writing meets the mark.
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. Her presence on the screen is unforgettable, and she seemed to move through the world as a sort of luminous being.
She had a pretty tragic childhood (thanks, World War II), and plenty of heartbreak throughout her life, but for all intents and purposes seemed to never lose her vivacity, and her passion for absorbing life and leaving a terrific legacy behind.
She is an inspiration just as a human being, but of course as a creative person who had many gifts that touched people all over the world.
When you’re struggling with your writing, or life, perhaps let yourself hear Audrey’s voice, and let her words permeate:
“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”
Believe in yourself – you must do that before asking anyone else to do so, too. You CAN become an author. You CAN write a book. There are no limits.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
If you’re feeling stuck, get out. Is there a place you can go where you can feel relaxed or recharged? Is there a local garden that delights you with its beauty? Do you feel inspired walking about your local bookstore?
“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”
Even the luckiest of authors still face roadblocks along the way – rejection letters, a lack of confidence, etc. But it’s so important to keep moving forward. There IS light at the end of the tunnel – your day will come.
"Good things aren’t supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but He expects you to do your part first."
You can’t become a bestselling author without a book. You can’t make readers’ hearts swell if they have nothing to read.
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Books have the power to change lives. If you have something to share with the world, it is your goal to share it – whether you’re educating, entertaining, comforting, and/or inspiring.
I believe in you!
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
Today I’m not going to talk about platforms, plot twists, or character development. Instead, I’m going to talk about one of my favorite things: the Oxford comma.
The Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma, series comma, or Harvard comma) is something that grammar nerds and English-language aficionados love to debate.
As “serial” indicates, the Oxford comma is used when listing a series of items. It is placed immediately after the penultimate (second to last) term in the series.
So you might say: apples, oranges, and bananas.
But you would actually be okay NOT using the final comma, and instead just writing it as this: apples, oranges and bananas. People adhering to the AP Guidebook (e.g. newspaper reporters), generally don’t use the Oxford comma.
Here is where things get tricky, though. If a comma will change the meaning of a sentence, then the Oxford comma would be appropriate.
I am inspired by my parents, Barack Obama and Taylor Swift.
Unless your parents are actually Barack Obama and Taylor Swift, you’ll want to add that comma after “Obama.”
(If you find yourself on the anti-comma side of the spectrum, of course the solution would be rewriting the sentence: I am inspired by Barack Obama, Taylor Swift and my parents.)
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
Today is the final (for now) newsletter/article featuring book recommendations. As mentioned over the past few weeks, books are, no surprise, my favorite things to talk about, and I get asked for recommendations all of the time. I've started a reading section on the Turn the Page website, so be sure to visit the site to get even more great reading ideas!
You Unstuck: Mastering the New Rules of Risk-Taking in Work and Life by Libby Gill
In You Unstuck, Libby Gill uses cases studies, client stories from her coaching work, and brain research to help readers understand the biological basis of fears that hold them back. She shows how to reframe what she calls Riskophobia, turn off the fear voices, and circumvent ancient defense systems. Readers can then create an Escalating Risk Hierarchy by "chunking down" their vision into small, actionable steps, ordered from least to most anxiety inducing. By combining stress-busting relaxation techniques with small action steps, the readers’ odds for realizing their vision greatly increase in this Relax, Risk, Repeat cycle. Gill also shows readers how to "Avoid Limiters & Embrace Liberators," keeping naysayers at bay while seeking influential supporters who can help free their creativity and productivity. Capitalizing on her business background, coaching expertise, and a personal history of risk-taking and resilience, Gill makes complex concepts relevant and accessible through immediately applicable tools, exercises, self-tests, and questionnaires that challenge readers to change.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ipD3Zp
Exactly What To Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact by Phil M. Jones
This is such a great, quick read, and it is packed full of fabulous information and advice. This is all about having better communication – knowing what to say, how to say it, and “how to make it count.” This is a great example of a business book that is well-written and to the point – Jones doesn’t waste time trying to teach you everything he knows, and he gives you tips that you can apply to your life immediately, so you can make changes today – not in some best-case scenario later on down the road.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781989025000
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CxSBBf
The Ultimate Guide to Platform Building by Wendy Keller
In the interest of full disclosure, Wendy is my former mentor and colleague – but she is also a longtime literary agent, industry insider, and platform guru.
If you are a writer, you NEED a platform – this is true if you are writing fiction, and it is ESPECIALLY true if you are hoping to build a career as a nonfiction author. The world of building (and sustaining) a platform is a new world for a lot of writers, and this book will help you get started, and start adopting the salesperson mindset.
(She also has a ton of great resources here.)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781599185989
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Cw5SdE
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
As mentioned over the past few weeks, books are, no surprise, my favorite things to talk about, and I get asked for recommendations all of the time. I've started a reading section on the Turn the Page website, but I will continue sharing some of those recommendations here!
These books are tons of fun, but the authors also know EXACTLY who their target audience is, and they deliver in spades.
Get Rich, Lucky Bitch: Release Your Money Blocks and Live a First-Class Life by Denise Duffield-Thomas
This book has been life-changing for me on a number of levels, but even on it’s own this is an almost perfect self-help/personal development book. Having a positive mindset is such an important part of succeeding in all areas of your life, including as an author, and Duffield-Thomas’ voice is so accessible – you feel like you’re talking to your best girlfriend.
The author is also great to follow because she is a rising queen of the platform. She knows her audience inside and out, and she is constantly innovating and connecting with them in new ways. A self-made millionaire, she initially self-published her books, but they were later acquired by self-help powerhouse publisher Hay House.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781788171335
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IBgR9g
To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene
Whether or not Ernest Hemingway is your guy, this is a delightful book that is part-biography, part-cocktail appreciation. Written by the cofounder of the Museum of the American Cocktail (!!!), this takes a look at the myth and legend of Hemingway through a unique lens.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780399174902
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VWc45n
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle
Even if you are not a cocktail fan, you can appreciate this book for the punny drink names. The Last of the Mojitos? Love in the Time of Kahlua? Vermouth the Bell Tolls? Come on! Paired with witty commentary on some of the greatest books ever published, this book is a fun romp for all the fellow book nerds out there.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780762448654
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IBgR9g
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
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