First, look at feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. None of the comments or changes are meant to be personal attacks. Ignore the tone of brief comments. Don’t read into it. This person just read your entire book. Be grateful and recognize that editors are making the work and you better. Second, tackle…
The Learning Log
How I Accidentally Got into the Best Shape of My Life
I debated about writing this lesson, but in the interest of documenting my journey I think it is worth sharing what I learned last year about health and physical appearance. By “best shape” I don’t mean my ability to run fast or long distances or by the amount of weight I can bench press or…
When Writing Fiction, Start with the Character
One of my goals for this year is to publish a work of fiction. I’ve written multiple nonfiction books but writing fiction is something completely new and exciting for me. In nonfiction I like to start with the idea or a difficult problem to solve and write with excitement about a solution to that problem….
When to Use I, We, You, or They in Nonfiction
I spent about four hours during the last few days fixing inconsistencies of the pronouns and point of view in the manuscript of my latest book. My editor pointed out how frequently I would switch back and forth between “we” and “you” when referring to the audience of the book. The book is for religious…
When to Upgrade Tools and Technology
The Apple iPod and iPhone were breakthroughs in technology for one reason: simplicity. If you remember what MP3 players were like before the iPod, you know what I mean. They were complicated. There were lots of buttons and it wasn’t easy to get the songs onto your device. Then the iPod came along. It had…
