Spring has officially sprung in the Northern Hemisphere, and I celebrated the equinox by having a picnic with my friends and napping in the park with Albee.

Did you celebrate?

Let me know in the comments.

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About a decade ago I realized that I cannot go-go-go all year long.

Just like nature has its seasons, so do we.

Fall and winter are for thinking.

That’s when I deep dive into myself. It’s a time for creative exploration, one-on-one chats with friends, solo trips to foreign countries, early bedtimes, and drinking tea while I make it through my TBR list.

Fall is a great time to grieve. Winter is a great time to rest.

Spring and summer are for doing.

That’s when I step out into the light. It’s a time for late night dance parties, promoting creative projects, group picnics in the park, traveling with friends, and sipping mocktails on my patio while I write books and scripts.

Spring is a great time to be horny for life. Summer is a great time to fall in love with the world around you.

One is dark and introspective. One is light and extroverted. Both are equally important to living a boldly creative life.

I used to fight these seasons, and now I embrace them.

Sure, there are things that need to get done all year round. Laundry. Paying bills. Feeding yourself. Fighting fascism.

But when I plan out my life (using this system I shared with you), I make sure to honor that my energy and needs are different in each season.

In honor of Spring, I’ve put together some journaling prompts for you!

Please, for the love of all things creative, do not try to do every single one of these journaling prompts. Simply skim through this list and see which one calls to you and spend some time writing about it.

Just 15 minutes a day has been proven to reduce depression as much as meditation and even, in some people, as much as antidepressant medication.

The biggest thing I see keeping people back from journaling is thinking that they need to do it perfectly or they need to do it for a long period of time or every single day.

If you take even five minutes right now to think through one of these questions, you will be better set to have the kind of spring and summer that awakens your life.

Ready?

Let’s go!

13 Journaling Prompts to Help Bring Light Into Your Life

1. What is one creative project, just one, that I would love to accomplish between now and September 1st?

2. What’s holding me back from falling even deeper in love – with someone else, with myself, with creativity, with life? (more on that here)

3. What did I grieve this fall? What did I release and let go of?

4. Did this winter rejuvenate me or deplete me? What energy level do I have going into spring?

5. Make a Need, Want, Can’t List.

   1. In the Need column, write down everything that is an absolute must for you this spring and summer.

   2. In the can’t column, put down everything that you will not put up with this spring and summer and everything that you just can’t take on during this season.

   3. In the Want column, put all the things that would be fun to do over the next six months, but that are not necessary.

   4. Put your list somewhere where you can look at it every day to remind yourself of your aligned priorities.

6. If I could pick one area in my life where I want to be braver in this season, where would that be?

7. What feels rejuvenating for me right now?

8. Think about where you want to be two years from now on the equinox. Write a letter to yourself now from that person. (more on your Two Year North Star here)

9. Write a letter to your future self and send it. I love Future Me for this.

10. Is there a dream – big or small – that you’ve wanted to pursue that you’ve put off for too long?

11. How can you get even sexier and kinkier this spring? (more on that here)

12. What does activism look like to me during this season? (more on being a reluctant activist here)

13. How can I use this season to be even more creative, witchy, and joyful?

Want more journaling support? Check out my course Journal Through It: From “Oh $#@!” to “I’ve got this!” in 15 Minutes.

Get it free for a limited time with code LOVE.

You have your prompts, now go journal!

Then, come back here and let me know:

• Do you find your life to be cyclical and seasonal?

• How does spring energy differ from fall energy for you?

• Which prompt called to you? How did it go writing it?

Let me know in the comments!

Leave a comment

I’m excited to hear how your spring plays out.

With love, light, and a fan because it’s already getting hot in SoCal!

Lauren

P.S. Are you a paid subscriber? If so, I’ve got 7 more prompts below for you!

If not, now is a great time to join.

Subscribe now

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This Tuesday was a massive reset day across cultures, calendars, and even the cosmos.

Did you feel it?

In a single 24-hour span, we had:

• Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year / Tết

• The Muslim holy month of Ramadan started

• Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras / Beginning of Christian’s Lent

• New moon cycle started

• A solar eclipse in Aquarius – initiating a new two-year, future-oriented cycle, according to astrologers

• Saturn-Neptune met in a conjunction at 0º Aries – creating a reset and starting a new 36-year cycle in astrology

• It was the start of the work week after a long holiday weekend in the USA

No matter your beliefs, that’s a lot of fresh-start energy concentrated into one moment. To help you navigate it, I’m sharing the process I use whenever I need to reset with intention.

Introducing The Six-Step Creative Life Alignment Ritual

This isn’t about goal setting or adding to your to-do list. Instead, it’s a process for continually realigning your life to your bigger legacy, joys, and dreams.

You can turn to it when:

• You’ve hit the summit of a major goal.

• You’re grieving or overwhelmed with the state of the world.

• You’re beginning anything new – a year, a quarter, or just a random day you choose to hit refresh.

It’s a great process for reassessing where you’re headed and how you want to get there.

This isn’t about adding more to your to-do-list. It’s about aligning yourself to the big dreams you have for your life.

This isn’t a strict regimen. It’s a creative ritual.

It might take an afternoon. It might take a month. It might take a season.

However long your process takes, that’s okay!

Save this post. Come back to it.

Share it with friends for accountability if that helps.

Share

Make it your own.

Take your time.

Let it be colorful. Let it be fun. And let it adapt to your needs today.

So grab a pen and paper.

Make yourself a mocktail.

And let’s begin.

The Six-Step Creative Life Alignment Ritual

1️⃣ Step 1: Three-Pillar Legacy

Knowing why I’m doing something and how it relates to the legacy I want to leave in the world has been one of the biggest keys to both my success and satisfaction in life.

The word “legacy” might feel loaded or overwhelming for you. If that’s the case, take a big deep breath and trust me here, I promise this is a game changer and worth the effort.

Knowing the legacy I want to leave has helped me to truly understand where I’m headed and feel good about it. When I forget my legacy, I become unmoored, a ship floating in the sea. With my legacy, I have direction and purpose in life.

Do not worry about getting it “right” – it will adjust and change.

Mine has changed throughout the years; yours will as well. That is totally okay.

What matters most is taking the time to think about the impact you want to have on this world.

You can write yours out as a simple one liner, but I like to think of mine as three separate but interconnected pillars.

Three-Pillar Legacy:

• Me: What am I going to create in this world for myself? What am I going to do for myself before I am no longer physically here? What does that look like in action?

• You: Who am I going to serve in this world? What direct contact will I have with others that will leave a lasting positive impact? What does that look like in action?

• Us: How am I going to impact the greater good? What ripple effects will my life have on society long after I am gone? What does that look like in action?

To find out your legacy, all you have to do is answer those questions – on a piece of paper or even just in your head.

If you can sum them up succinctly, great! If not, also great!

Either way, simply taking time to think about these questions will help you feel more aligned and less overwhelmed in life.

I promise.

2️⃣ Step 2: Two-Year North Star

As a Sagittarius sun, I fear losing my freedom. As a Capricorn rising, I love a good commitment. A Two-Year North Star lets me hold both.

Two years is my sweet spot. Shorter and I feel frantic. Longer and I lose interest before I even begin.

Your timeline might be different — but the point is to choose a container that feels expansive and focused at the same time.

After defining my Three-Pillar Legacy (or my overall lifetime direction), I ask:

Who am I becoming over the next two years?

This isn’t about creating a giant to-do list.

It’s about creating a clear, visible reminder of who you’re becoming — so you can stay aligned with your dreams.

I broke my Two-Year North Star into four areas:

• Physical: How can I meet myself where I’m at and thrive mentally, physically, and spiritually?

• Creative: Who am I as an artist in this season? What am I building? What am I practicing?

• Personal: How do I want to live day to day? How do I want to feel? How do I show up in relationships?

• Professional: How am I resourcing this life? What financial and career structures support the version of me I’m becoming?

I journaled freely at first. Then I distilled it down into something visible and simple — a large post-it on my wall that I look at every single day.

If this feels overwhelming, simplify it.

Make a mood board.

Write a single paragraph.

Choose three words.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is a visible reminder of where you’re headed — a map you can glance at when you feel lost.

3️⃣ Step 3: Alignment Question

Your Three-Pillar Legacy is your compass. Your Two-Year North Star is your map. And your Alignment Question is how you decide which steps to take each day.

I like to frame the alignment question like this:

“Will this help me get closer to ____{insert dream and/ or legacy here}____?

For me, the question is:

Will this help me win an Oscar surrounded by people I love?

This is not actually about winning an Oscar – although that would be amazing. I chose an Oscar on purpose, not because it’s ego-driven, but because of what it would mean for me as an artist.

There are plenty of awards out there I could aspire to win, but an Oscar means I made a movie that hit an emotional nerve in the culture, was commercially successful, and required collaborating with many kinds of artists working together to make one vision come true together.

And I added “surrounded by people I love” because I do not want to do this next chapter of my life alone.

I’ve tried to do it alone and failed. Doing it on your own is a myth. We all only thrive within community.

“Will this get me closer to winning an Oscar surrounded by people I love?” is my shorthand for many other deeper questions, including:

• Does this build the kind of creative work that has a culture impact?

• Does this strengthen my partnerships and collaborations?

• Does this align with my devotion to leaving a legacy of impactful storytelling?

This one question becomes an easy filter for daily decisions. I don’t have to look at my entire legacy. I don’t have to reread my Two-Year North Star.

I just ask the question.

Your alignment question doesn’t have to incorporate everything, but it should represent your:

• Creative ambition

• Bigger life dreams

• Commitment to what matters to you

Then you can make decisions using one simple question as a filter.

Now don’t get me wrong, not everything I do is helping me win an Oscar directly, but things like traveling to Mexico City or taking a rope class are helping me refill my creative bucket.

And sometimes, it’s just fun to live a little.

Your version might be simpler.

It might be a single word or phrase.

It might be “will this bring me joy?”

Don’t get caught up on the exact phrasing, it will change! All you have to do right now is write down something you can reference to check in with yourself.

The point isn’t perfection.

The point is having one emotionally charged question that carries your legacy and your North Star inside it — so you can make aligned decisions without reinventing your life plan every single time something shiny shows up.

4️⃣ Step 4: Six-Month Focus

Now, using all you’ve done above, we’re going to break down your focus for the next six months.

I use six months for a few reasons:

1. Personally, I only really have six months of go-go-go energy in me – spring and summer. I need fall and winter to go slower and be more introspective. (And you probably do too.)

2. Life happens and we don’t know where we’ll be or what we’ll accomplish in a set amount of time, so six months allows for flexibility.

3. While training to run a marathon, I learned that I can handle almost anything if I know that I only have to do it for a set amount of time. Six months is an amount of time that feels doable to commit to without overwhelming in that commitment.

You can do a year, three months, six weeks, whatever works personally for you.

Once you have your timeline, take a piece of paper (or a journal spread like I have above) and write your Alignment Question in the middle.

Then, split it into the four sections of your North Star:

• Personal

• Physical

• Creative

• Professional

Next, decide one flame and one simmer for the next six months.

• Flame = what’s hot right now, where I’m consistently focusing most of my energy

• Simmer = what’s in the background gaining some steam, something I’m thinking about but not necessarily doing every day

This is a general idea focus, not yet a to-do list. Think “dance in a way that feels embodied and challenges me to learn new moves” not “sign-up for dance cardio on Monday at 3pm.”

And I’m going to say this again, you get ONE flame and ONE simmer and THAT IS IT!

You can work on the rest another time.

This allows you to set realistic expectations, prevents burn out, and makes you more likely to actually finish the thing you set out to do.

5️⃣ Step 5: Monthly Checklist

This is when you finally get to make a to-do list! Before this, you’re dreaming, visioning, and aligning. Now, you’re doing.

I did three months at a time because I’m working up to three different deadlines that needed me to pace them out. Feel free to break yours down one month at a time, weekly, daily, or whatever works best for you.

For this one, I did personal and physical separately from and creative and professional, because they’re not only two different parts of my brain but two parts of my schedule.

Here’s an example of my professional one, all of them aligned with actions it takes to get to my North Star by 45 and helping my win an Oscar surrounded by people I love:

6️⃣ Step 6: Break It Down and Do the Damn Thing!

Your next step is to take that monthly checklist and break it down into a to-do list you will actually finish!

For the goals that feel big and bold, you need 33 Asks®. It’s the best way I know how to get out there and make creative dreams come true – from building up a career to getting a book deal. And I’ve got loads of testimonials proving it works.

The key – as you can see in all the images of this post – is to make analog (pen and paper), colorful, and bold. Stickers are a bonus, if not a must!

Even when deciding to turn my little magic 33 Asks® process I made for myself into a program, I used this system.

Instead of “create a course out of 33 Asks®” – which felt like A LOT to do – I now had a simple structure for the program that then became my checklist to creating the content.

Here’s another example of a 33 Asks® style sticker chart I did for finishing my latest novel, which I’m calling Bigger. I took the chapters I knew I needed to write, and made a simple checklist with a reminder of my why and a reward to make me want to do it.

Instead of “finish your book” – which feels overwhelming to start – I now have a succinct checklist I can go down and do.

Whatever format you decide to use, make sure that it feels doable and visually appealing to look at so you’ll come back to it again and again until you’re done.

And that’s the The Six-Step Creative Life Alignment Ritual!

If it feels like a lot, here’s your friendly reminder that you don’t have to do it all at once and you definitely don’t have to do it perfectly.

Just start at the top and work your way down.

Save this post so you can come back to it.

And be sure to subscribe so you can get more details on how I personally implement this process in my life.

Subscribe now

Let me know what you think.

Did something open up for you reading about this process?

What part excites you the most?

Is there something you’re confused about?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Leave a comment

And if this resonated with you, share it with a friend!

You’re 92% more likely to actually do something if you bring someone along for the ride, so sharing is actually caring for yourself.

Share

Excited to share more about each step of the process with you soon and see where it takes us on our journey to living a boldly creative life.

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.

Lauren

P.S. You can do this all on a computer if you really want, but I still think the magic is in pen and paper.

Sharing is Caring

You can do this on your computer, but I HIGHLY suggest going analog. Your basic need is something to write on and something to write with, but if you want to get a bit more fancy, here are some things I love:

• Blank pieces of paper – either loose or in a notebook, preferably not lined

  • I love my Passion Planner for this, it has blank page spreads in the back that I fill each month I do 33 Asks – and they have great company values.

  • If you want to go big, try these easel pads/giant post-it notes! My clients and I love them – and they stick to walls over and over again, so you can move them around.

• Stickers = dopamine hit!

  • Love the options Passion Planner has for sticker packs and find that the colorful images and phrases on the stickers often motivate me when I’m stuck creatively.

  • Bando is also a fun choice for stickers and I like this sticker book with lots of fun options in it.

  • Stationary sections of grocery stores or pharmacy/convenience stores like CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc.

• Colorful pens and highlighters

  • I love the highlighter packs that have green, pink, yellow, blue, purple, and orange and this one is made from recycled plastic.

  • Pentel Energels are my favorite pens by far and I love this pack that comes with lots of colors – plus you can also buy refills online to save plastic.

The best option is one you’ll actually use so grab whatever feels fun for you and don’t wait for the perfect planner, sticker, or pen, just start today with what you have.

A book idea will have so much potential that it can feel impossible to start writing it.

A book itself will have so much potential when it debuts that it can be overwhelming (like I learned with mine).

Potential is great in theory. In practice, it can easily become a weight so heavy we can’t move.

I see this all the time with first drafts. You will write out your idea and you'll get about a third of the way through a book, and then suddenly you start thinking about the New York Times bestseller list and can’t write any more.

Sound familiar?

This was absolutely my problem. I held myself back for so many years because I worried if publishing would buy my book. For many years, they didn’t buy books like mine. Which meant that for too many years I let homophobia, fatphobia, and overall gatekeeping stop me from telling my story.

I started my company School For Writers® to make sure that didn’t happen to others as well.

Write to Tell, Not to Sell

Here's the thing: You have to write to tell, not to sell.

Yes, in my Write Your Friggin' Book Already® program, I’ll help you figure out the best path to publish for your book. We will absolutely talk about marketing and the entrepreneurial part of selling a book, because it’s important!

But if you think of that stuff way too soon – if you put the potential of money, publicity, publishing and bestsellers lists and movie deals and all of that stuff onto your book from the start – you'll never be able to finish it.

How 'You Have So Much Potential' Became My Biggest Obstacle

In high school, I was told that I had a lot of potential to make it in the arts. I was outgoing, enthusiastic, and had just enough talent that I stood out among my peers.

I sucked at math and almost flunked because of my low scores in P.E., but I excelled in the humanities and shined on stage after school at the community theater.

Encouraged by a mentor who had studied the arts, I decided to get a degree in cinema at one of the top schools in the nation for movie making. I was going to make films in Hollywood! I had the potential!

And then I got there, and the reality of actually making films became so overwhelming. I’d been told I had potential, but hadn’t been warned of the realities of trying to make it in Hollywood – especially as a queer, fat, femme.

Well meaning professors warned me that I would never be able to make it as a fat lesbian in Hollywood. I didn’t have potential to be a film director because of that. But I did have potential as a writer – and the publishing industry doesn’t care about your looks – so I should be a novelist instead.

For better or for worse, I let others determine my potential. And their opinions stopped me from actually taking action towards my dreams.

Potential Without Action is Pointless

If you’ve read my novel, Because Fat Girl, you’ll recognize this story – I turned my pain into prose and eventually started back up making movies again.

It wasn’t my potential that got Because Fat Girl into airports and bookstores around the USA, read by tens of thousands of people around the globe, with talks of a movie deal happening.

Potential had nothing to do with that.

Action did.

Potential can only get you so far. Potential without action is pointless.

• You could talk about the possibilities of your book’s success. Or you could Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®.

• You could wax poetically about the potential of your book. Or you could Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®.

• You could spend years learning about craft and publishing and marketing. Or you could Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®.

Don’t get me wrong, I love dreaming big for ourselves and our books. I’m always here for holding that grander vision of life. But I’m also going to be the first to tell you that the answer is to “sit your ass down and do the damn thing!”

Which is why in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program, we talk so much about the importance of actually doing the damn thing. Here are some of the ways we help you sit your butt in the chair and do the work:

• Twice weekly writing sessions

• Monthly coaching calls

• Cheerleading text messages

• Friendly competitions

• Built-in rewards

• Ongoing coaching

• Lifetime membership

Accountability, camaraderie, and tangible support is going to get you so much farther than just potential.

4 Steps to Overcome Potential Paralysis

If you're feeling stuck because of the weight of your own potential, here's a process to help you move forward that I use with myself and my clients:

Step 1: Write About Where You've Been Told You Have Potential

Make a list of all the times people have told you that you have potential. Then add on where you've been told you didn't have potential - those limitations people put on you.

For example, I was told I had potential as a writer but that I'd never make it as a director because of who I am. Both messages shaped how I saw myself and what I thought was possible.

Step 2: Examine How That Potential Feels

Look at your list and ask yourself: Does the potential feel overwhelming? Do you have so many options that it all feels paralyzing? Or does the potential energize and cheer you on?

Do the naysayers feel like they're right or wrong? Are you doing things in spite of them, or have their voices become your inner critic?

Step 3: Identify What You're Holding Back On

Ask yourself what dreams you're not pursuing because of potential or because of naysayers. Do you want to write a book? Make a movie? Take an art class? Learn pottery? Understand physics?

Look at that list and identify where you're holding back because the potential feels too big, or where you're holding back because someone told you that you couldn't.

Step 4: Take One Tiny Step

What is one small action you can take toward your dream?

• If you want to write a book, book a call with me to see if Write Your Friggin' Book Already® is right for you.

• If you want to make a movie, take an online Introduction to Film class.

• If you want to learn about astronomy, visit your local science museum.

The key is taking action, not perfect action. One tiny step toward your potential is infinitely better than staying paralyzed by the weight of possibility.

Everyone Has Potential - But Action Makes It Real

Everybody has potential. Every single human, every single person, every single book, every single story, every single idea has potential.

But it's action that actually makes it happen. It's purpose that keeps you going. And it's community that makes sure you don't feel lonely or lost along the way.

So let go of the “grand potential” of your creative ideas and embrace small, simple action steps that get you towards your bigger life goals.

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.™

Lauren

P.S. Ready to turn your potential into action and Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®? Book a free 15-minute call with me to talk about whether WYFBA is right for you, or enroll today and let's turn that potential into a published book.

ENROLLMENT FOR THE FALL 2025 COHORT ENDS AUGUST 22. So take action and book a call today to see if WYFBA is right for you.

What was the difference?

In high school, the only motivator I had was an angry teacher blowing her whistle at me, calling me fat and lazy, and threatening to flunk me if I didn’t pick up the pace. I was also bored out of my mind running around in circles in the desert heat.

In college, I had a fabulous group of LGBTQ coaches and support staff helping me to reach my goal of running a marathon and raising $3000 to support the SF AIDS Foundation. They planned the training regimen, built in breaks, provided snacks, set a new path for us to run each week so we didn’t get bored, and marked out exactly where the bathrooms were – key for someone with a small bladder like mine.

With the right mentor or coach, a seemingly impossible task not only becomes possible but fun to do!

I’ve written a dozen books in multiple genres including self-help, memoir, romance, thriller, and fantasy. It took me decades to come up with a formula of my own for how to survive – and enjoy! – the marathon that is writing a book.

I started my company, School for Writers, because I don’t want it to take you as long as it took me to get published.

It makes me happy to take what I’ve learned in those processes and share them with others here on the blog, on the School for Writers® podcast, and in my programs. I love that I get to help the participants in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program to use my hard earned lessons to make the processes quicker and more enjoyable.

I’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people feel educated, inspired, and entertained through my work. I am one of the best story coaching in the world, and I’ve got the testimonials to prove it – from amateur writers just starting their journeys to powerhouse celebrities, and everyone in between.

After two decades in the industry I can offer insights into traditional, hybrid, and self publishing, and I coach my clients in making important decisions from the start of the book writing process that will support them when they go to publish.

I’ve got a damn impressive resume. And still, I am not the right book coach for everyone.

If you want a massive-figure deal with a Big Five publisher, you’re going to need someone else. I suggest Meghan Stevenson if you write prescriptive non-fiction.

If you’re looking to write beautiful and profound poetry that wins awards, you’re also going to need someone else. I suggest the award-winning poet, Jenn Givhan.

And if you want to write a book about dieting or weight loss, anything degrading others or using shame as a tactic, or something with homophobic, transphobic, racist, ablest, sexist, or themes that harm others, I’m also not the right coach for you.

Even if that means you go work with someone else, I want you in the right fit, so your book isn’t left in your head but is out in the world making an impact.

It’s not about finding any book coach online with a great resume and testimonials, it’s about finding the right mentor for you and your book.

Which is why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to finding a book coach for first-time authors and experienced writers alike.

This guide is great for:

1. Aspiring authors

2. First-time book writers

3. Self-publishing writers

4. Emerging novelists

5. Memoir writers seeking guidance

6. Independent authors looking for support

7. Writers aiming for traditional publishing

8. Creative writers ready to publish

And anyone interested in improving both their book and their book writing experience by working with a writing coach.

Ready for the guide?! Scroll down to get all the information you need to find your ideal writing coach.

3 Crucial Needs to Consider Before Hiring a Writing Coach for Your Book

The journey from manuscript to published book is fraught with challenges, uncertainties, and moments of self-doubt. Finding the right writing coach for you can make a world of difference. The ideal writing coach not only guides you through the process but also empowers you throughout it with shame-free accountability and educated advice, helping you turn that writing dream into your publishing reality.

Understanding your specific needs as an author will lead to a better writing experience AND a better book.

Before you go looking for a mentor or coach, you want to know what YOU specifically need. Yes, that guy Bob over there on the Internet might be screaming loudly that he can make you a bestseller overnight, but will Bob empower you to tell the most authentic version of your story you can?

Which is why you have to understand your specific needs before choosing a coach. Are you struggling with the structure of your novel? Do you find it challenging to keep up with a consistent writing schedule? Or is your challenge more about refining your voice and style? Identifying your areas of need is crucial in choosing a coach who can offer targeted support.

Your needs as an author usually fall into three categories:

1. CREATIVITY AND CRAFT

Whether you’re twenty years in or brand new, working on the creativity and craft part of writing a book is crucial to not only elevating your manuscript but also growing as a storyteller.

A seasoned coach with experience in the art of writing can offer personalized feedback, innovative writing strategies, and genre-specific advice to refine your storytelling abilities. Whether you're battling with structure in your self-help book, looking to deepen your fictional characters, or want to enhance your plot's excitement, the right coach will help you improve writing skills, enhance your story development techniques, give you genre-specific writing advice, and even help you with overcoming writer’s block.

To assess your needs around creativity and craft, ask yourself these five questions:

1. Do I have specific areas in my writing that need improvement, such as character development, plot structure, or dialogue?

2. Am I looking for a coach who can challenge me creatively and push my storytelling to new heights?

3. How important is genre expertise to me? Do I need a coach who specializes in my specific writing genre?

4. Am I open to constructive criticism and ready to revise my work based on feedback?

5. What are my ultimate writing goals, and how does improving my craft help me achieve them?

A coach's expertise in navigating the nuances of storytelling can transform your manuscript from good to exceptional, and make the process feel more fun and creative! By understanding creativity and craft and getting support from a seasoned coach to help you develop your story, you can make sure that your book resonates with your ideal reader and gives them the experience you want them to have when reading it.

2. PUBLISHING AND MARKETING

If you want to simply write a book to have written it, fabulous! I’ve had people in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program that wrote a book solely for their family, and I have multiple books I’ve written that will probably never be published. That’s great. But, if you want your book out in the world read by friends, family and strangers alike, you’re going to need support with publishing and marketing.

Navigating the landscape of publishing can be daunting. I know, I’ve been a part of the publishing world since 2004, and even sooner if you count the first book and published in my third grade class.

Not all book coaches offer publishing advice for authors, book marketing strategies, or help you with building an author brand. Many focus solely on craft. That’s great, but it’s not going to get you to your ultimate goal of a published book enjoyed by many of your ideal readers.

If you want your book to get into the hands of readers, it’s essential to choose a book coach versed in the latest publishing trends and marketing strategies. They can guide you in crafting compelling query letters or book proposals, selecting the right publishing path that fits for your book dreams, and employing digital marketing tactics to reach your target audience.

From understanding the pros and cons of traditional versus self-publishing to building a strong author brand and executing effective book marketing campaigns, the right coach will demystify the process, give you insider knowledge, and help you with the logistics along every step from idea to published, and beyond.

To assess your needs around publishing and marketing, ask yourself these five questions:

1. Do I have a clear understanding of the different publishing paths available to me, and am I seeking guidance on which is best for my book?

2. Am I prepared to tackle the marketing aspect of publishing, or do I need a coach who can guide me through the process?

3. How much do I know about building an author platform, and what are my goals in terms of audience reach and engagement?

4. Am I looking for insights into the latest book marketing trends and how to apply them effectively?

5. What is my vision for my book's success, and how can a coach help me formulate a strategy to achieve it?

As you venture into the realms of publishing and marketing, finding a book coach who not only shares your vision but also possesses the expertise to make it a reality is invaluable. By asking yourself these critical questions, you're taking the first step towards not just publishing a book, but creating a legacy that resonates with your intended audience and beyond.

3. PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

For most of us, the journey of writing a book is more personal than professional. Yes, we want to publish, market, and sell our books. Yes, we want to use our books to build side hustles, rise up the corporate ladder, and build up our businesses. But more than that, we want to amplify our voice, tell our story, and leave a legacy.

For that reason, it’s important to seek a book coach who not only understands your writing goals but also offers support and motivation through the ups and downs of the writing process specifically tailored to your personal needs.

A book coach with strong interpersonal skills can help you set realistic goals, maintain accountability, and build confidence in your abilities. They can also introduce you to writing communities and networks, enhancing your social connections within the literary world and beyond.

As someone with multiple marginalized identities who coaches people from historically underrepresented communities, I also know how important it can be to have a book coach who understands my specific social, political, and personal limitations – both perceived and real.

The right coach for you might be the boot camp style asshole yelling at you all the time to go-go-go, but I’m going to guess if you’re reading this you need someone more understanding of your life needs, your time restraints, and your legacy goals.

Finding a coach who takes your personal and social needs into effect can help you find the most effective writing motivation, get you a supportive author accountability partner, connect you with likeminded writing communities, and help you in building confidence in writing – all without shame or guilt.

To assess your personal and social needs, ask yourself these five questions:

1. How important is having a personal connection and mutual understanding with my book coach?

2. Am I looking for someone who can not only guide me professionally but also support me emotionally through the writing process?

3. Do I need help setting realistic goals and timelines for my writing, and how much accountability do I want from a coach?

4. Am I interested in expanding my network within the literary community, and how can a coach help me with that?

5. How do I handle criticism and feedback, and what kind of approach do I expect from a coach in these areas?

The book writing journey is as much about building connections, understanding your voice, and navigating your path with grace, as it is about the mechanics of writing and publishing. By taking your personal and social needs into account before choosing a coach, you're on your way to finding a mentor who not only aids in achieving your literary ambitions but also aligns with your deeper mission of personal expression and social impact.

Do you need one coach to fulfill all of your needs?

Not at all. Many coaches specialize in only one of the above and there can be arguments made for choosing a different coach for craft than you do for marketing.

However, it’s really helpful to have a coach that knows all three and can support you holistically through the process.

If you’re looking for a program with coaching, camaraderie, and courses that fulfill your craft, publishing, AND personal needs, check out my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® comprehensive program.

It’s a comprehensive program that has lifetime access to a diverse community of supportive mentors, peers, and coaches all dedicated to helping you go from idea to published book.

Get All the Support You Need

Once you have an understanding of your basic needs as an author, you’ll want to take other logistical needs into consideration as well.

Here are some other thoughts to consider when choosing a writing coach for your book:

• Have they done it many times before? They don’t need to be a bestseller or even published (publishing can be harsh and is often a sign of luck more than talent), but make sure you’re learning from someone who has written at least a few books and knows your genre.

• Are they a practiced teacher? Doing something yourself and teaching others to do it are two different skillsets. Make sure you get a coach who has practiced the craft of writing and the craft of teaching.

• Are they kind and empathetic? Not only do we all have enough guilt in our lives, shame-based coaching has been proven time and again to not actually support us in achieving our goals. Find you a coach that meets you where you’re at and encourages you in ways that are based in kindness.

• Do they know the publishing industry? It is wonderful to be a hobbyist writer and I am constantly talking about the value of journaling, but if you want to publish a book, it’s important to have a coach who understands the landscape and can guide you to make decisions based on your goals.

• Is the amount of support and insight you’re getting equal to the price they’re asking? Hell yes, experienced coaches deserve to get paid well for their offerings! I have premium prices because I offer premium services. And also, I get way too many clients coming my way that paid $30,000 for a course or program and got nothing out of it. Take time to really look into if a program is going to help you reach your goals before you enroll.

• Can you afford it or do they have scholarships? There are way too many predatory marketers out there that will convince you to go into debt for their services. It’s one thing to stretch yourself a bit financially to join a program – I think that can actually be beneficial sometimes so you have some skin in the game and show up to do the work – but it’s another to starve because you had FOMO. If you can’t afford a program, look for free resources like podcasts or books, take some time to save up, or ask for a scholarship. I offer them in all my programs, as do many other coaches.

• Do they have testimonials or case studies? Hearing from past participants about their experience working with that particular coach can help you to determine if they are the right fit for you.

• Do you share values? Not only is your coach going to have an impact on your books content, they’re also someone you’re giving your time, money, and energy to. Having a coach with similar values as you do will help you have a better time and result during the book writing process.

What else do you look for in a coach? Share your thoughts and insights below.

Leave a comment

Finding the ideal writing coach for your book is about understanding your needs, matching with the right expertise, and ensuring a supportive and empowering experience.

Remember, the goal is not just to publish a book but to grow as a writer and realize your publishing dreams with confidence.

With the right coach by your side, you’re not just working towards publishing a book; you’re embarking on a transformative journey that will enrich your life and career for years to come.

And, if you’re looking for a writing program to support all of your coaching, course, and camaraderie needs in one place, check out my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program.

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.™

That’s why I’m constantly talking about both the craft and the business side of writing. It’s also why Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program includes coaching around marketing and monetization along every part of the process, from idea to published book. Because I want you to be fully empowered to tell your story – and that includes having the money you need to thrive.

In today’s online world, careers are made off of quality content – and there’s still nothing more potent than a book.

Content is queen right now and if you’re not making time to tell your story you’re missing out on personal and professional opportunities.

Writing a book can establish you as an expert in your field way before any other content medium. It’s also a great way to make passive income.

• According to Forbes, the average business owner with a published book sees an increase of 37% in sales. 

• Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, having a book helps build credibility and interest with employers, according to LinkedIn.

• With on-demand printing, books are a great way to build long-term passive income. Self-published authors can earn 40% to 60% royalties for the selling price of a book, and traditionally published authors make about 6% to 12% royalties.

You don’t have to wait for your book to be published to make money off of the content.

I highly suggest writing to tell, not to sell, especially in your first few drafts. If you think about selling too soon, you’ll stifle your creativity and possible censor your voice.

However, once your content is solid – I suggest about the 4th draft in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program – you absolutely can start putting it out in the world and making money off of it.

Here are just a few of the ways people in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program have made money from their books before they were even published:

• While writing her book, Values First, Laura used the content to launch a podcast, build a framework for group coaching programs, and secure corporate consulting offerings. 

• Through the support they got in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®, Mars quit their job at a non-profit to go full-time as an erotica writer and creative gig worker.

• Lauren leveraged the content and coaching in the program to turn their company, Transform Belonging, from a $10,000 a year side hustle in 2022, to a boutique consultancy that made $11,000 in a month in 2023. Plus, Lauren used all of that to help them get a new six-figure job.

Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, it’s absolutely possible to monetize your book content while writing it.

Below, you’ll find three ways to make money off of your book while you’re writing it.

3 ways to make money off of your book before it’s published:

1. Workshops, courses, and coaching

This is exactly what I’ve done myself, both with my current company, SchoolForWriters.com, but also in the past with my sex education (Queerie Bradshaw) and body-positivity (Bawdy Love) companies. It’s been a great way for me to connect with readers, support writers, and make money.

By monetizing your writing process, you can generate income while simultaneously building a loyal community of supporters who are invested in your success. For example, everyone in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® has gotten a behind-the-scenes look at my book, BECAUSE FAT GIRL, and the publishing process, so they’re already mega fans for when it comes out.

And, everyone in that program is making friends with fellow authors, so we’ll help promote their book and programs in return.

That’s why workshops, courses, and coaching is a great way to monetize your writing even before the book is out.

Here are some ways to create programs from your book:

• Host online workshops for aspiring fantasy writers, where you share insights into world-building, character development, and plot construction.

• Charge a fee for resources such as critique sessions or writing prompts.

• Create a membership site or Patreon account where readers can support you financially in exchange for exclusive content, early access to chapters, or personalized feedback on their writing projects.

• Offer one-on-one coaching sessions to help individuals improve themselves on a topic from your book.

• Create a package that includes personalized goal-setting sessions, accountability check-ins, and access to exclusive resources.

2. Pre-sell Your Book

There are two main ways to pre-sell your book: get a book deal from a publisher or crowdfund from your friends, fans, and followers.

By pre-selling your book to a publisher through a book proposal, you can generate income before your manuscript is complete. This is very rare for fiction books, especially debut novels, but common for non-fiction.

However, book deals off of the proposal alone will require you to have a major following and a concept that’s quick to catch attention. Which means it can be hard for those of us in marginalized communities writing about topics that aren’t as mainstream to get a big deal.

For some of us, pre-selling to our own community is a much better and more sustainable way to make money to write your book.

Either way, you’re pulling people into your book and asking them to invest in it based on the premise alone, so make sure you have a solid hook and pitch to grab their attention (we can help you make that in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®).

Here are some ways to pre-sell your book:

• Launch a Kickstarter campaign to pre-sell copies of your fantasy novel. Offer backers rewards such as exclusive character artwork, personalized thank-you notes, or a chance to have their name featured in the book's acknowledgments section.

• Set up a pre-order page on your website for your book. Offer early bird discounts, bonus chapters, or access to a private Facebook group where readers can discuss productivity tips and strategies.

• Create a book proposal and send it out to agents and publishers to get a book deal.

• Release chapters of your fantasy novel on a weekly basis on your blog or Patreon page. Offer subscribers early access to chapters, author commentary, and bonus content such as maps or character sketches.

• Send out a weekly newsletter series featuring tips, strategies, and success stories based around your book content. Include excerpts from your upcoming book and offer subscribers a discount on pre-orders.

3. Explore Sponsorship and Brand Partnerships

This is one I rarely see people do, but can be super lucrative. When I launched my Queerie Bradshaw brand in 2009, it was one of the first lesbian sex blogs on the Internet and I got loads of brands willing to sponsor posts, podcast episodes, and reviews – all content I used in my book (which, sadly, publishers never wanted).

It worked because I was really niche, so I reached out to the companies that support that specific audience and we were a great fit for collaboration. Not only did we make each other money, we also grew our impact and influence by introducing each other to our followers.

You don’t need a big following to make this happen, you just need to find a company that’s aligned with what you do and offer them a collaboration that works for them.

Here are some ways to make money from brand partnerships:

• Reach out to brands or companies that align with the themes or topics of your book and propose collaboration opportunities, such as sponsored content, product placement, or brand integration.

• Offer advertising space on your website or in your email newsletter to relevant businesses or organizations looking to reach your audience.

• Partner with a genre-themed subscription box service to include a chapter of your novel in their monthly boxes.

• Offer subscribers exclusive discounts on the full book and collaborate on themed merchandise such as bookmarks or enamel pins.

• Write sponsored blog posts or social media content for apps or tools aligned with what you write. Share how these products have helped you improve your own productivity and offer readers special discounts or promo codes.

What are some ways you’ve monetized your content? Let us know in the comments!

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Whether you're crafting an epic fantasy saga or sharing practical productivity tips, turning your book idea into a profitable venture requires creativity, strategic planning, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Remember, the journey from a blank page to a bank account is filled with opportunities for creativity, innovation, and financial success. So, embrace the challenge, think outside the box, and turn your writing dreams into reality—all while making money along the way.

And if you want help marketing and monetizing your book while you write it, check out my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program.

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.™

Politicians and governments know that books are powerful. They offer insights into other worlds. They give us knowledge beyond our singular existence. They expand our capacity for empathy.

One of the first things the Third Reich did in their rise to power was burn books “of their enemies” including order a raid on the Museum of Sexology, where they ordered the Hitler Youth to destroy the existence of homosexual and transexual people. As one of the authors of a book that was burned stated, “if they’ll burn books, they’ll burn people.”

During law school, I interned at the National Center for Lesbian Rights and helped do legal research for Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court case that declared a fundamental right to marry for same-sex couples. During that research I read a study that showed people were 76% more likely to believe in gay marriage if they had read or heard a story about a same-sex couple in love – either in a book, movie or directly from the couple themselves.

School districts in the USA are currently banning books by authors of color, LGBTQ authors, disabled authors, and even the dictionary and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, in an attempt to prevent kids from seeing varying perspectives outside of the narrative of straight, white, conservative Christians.

Books hold that much power.

Stories hold that much power.

So then why are you holding your story back?

Did asking that feel a little aggressive?

Every time I ask myself that question, I kind of want to punch myself.

“It’s not as easy as just writing a book, Lauren!” I want to scream.

Because stories hold so much power, it can sometimes be frightening to tell them publicly.

I know this first hand.

With all of the excitement recently over my book deal and the release of my iconic book cover, my nervous system went into shock and I panicked at the idea of being a visibly queer and fat person in the public eye.

Everything in me wanted to run, hide, and never be seen again.

But I am only able to tell my story because other brave queer, fat, neurodiverse, non-binary femmes came before me and told theirs.

Which means I owe it to the next generation to be brave, write my book, and put it out there.

And so do you.

But it’s not as easy as just sitting down and writing. You want to make sure that you set yourself up for success before you even begin your book.

Here are four things you need to help you write a powerful and impactful story:

1) Practices in place to regulate your nervous system.

This is especially if you’re from a historically silenced and marginalized community.

Here’s a piece I wrote to help you with that:

Yes, that piece focuses on the nervous system deregulation that comes from being in the public eye, but it’s also a great list for anytime you’re worried about being cancelled, doxxed, or hated on in general.

Settling your nervous system throughout the process will help make sure you don’t sabotage yourself or quit halfway, and it’s important to have a coach and/or program that takes nervous system regulation into consideration so you don’t burn out.

2) A supportive mentor or coach to lay out a path for you and make it fun.

When I was twenty, I ran a marathon. I’d almost flunked P.E. in high school because I couldn’t finish a couple laps around the baseball field, yet here I was spending every Saturday of my college life running dozens of miles – and shockingly liking it.

What was the difference?

In high school, the only motivator I had was an angry teacher blowing her whistle at me, calling me fat and lazy, and threatening to flunk me if I didn’t pick up the pace. I was also bored out of my mind running around in circles in the desert heat.

In college, I had a fabulous group of LGBTQ coaches and support staff helping me to reach my goal of running a marathon and raising $3000 to support the SF AIDS Foundation. They planned the training regimen, built in breaks, provided snacks, set a new path for us to run each week so we didn’t get bored, and marked out exactly where the bathrooms were – key for someone with a small bladder like mine.

With the right mentor or coach, a seemingly impossible task not only becomes possible but fun to do!

This is why I love being a story coach as much as I love being an author. It took me decades to come up with a formula of my own for how to survive – and enjoy! – the marathon that is writing a book.

I’ve written over eight books in multiple genres including self-help, memoir, romance and fantasy. It makes me happy to take what I’ve learned in those processes and share them with others here on the blog, on the School for Writers® podcast, and in my programs. I love that I get to help the participants in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program to use my hard earned lessons to make the processes quicker and more enjoyable.

I am one of the best story coaching in the world, and I’ve got the testimonials from amateur writers just starting their journeys and powerhouse celebrities alike to prove it. After two decades in the industry I can offer insights into traditional, hybrid, and self publishing, and I coach my clients in making important decisions from the start of the book writing process that will support them when they go to publish.

But if you want a massive-figure deal with a Big Five publisher, you’re going to need someone else. (I suggest Meghan Stevenson if you write non-fiction.)

I say this not to just toot my own horn, but to show you that it’s important to find a coach that’s right for you, your book, and your publishing goals.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a writing coach for your book:

• Have they done it many times before? They don’t need to be a bestseller or even published (publishing can be harsh and is often a sign of luck more than talent), but make sure you’re learning from someone who has written at least a few books and knows your genre.

• Are they a practiced teacher? Doing something yourself and teaching others to do it are two different skillsets. Make sure you get a coach who has practiced the craft of writing and the craft of teaching.

• Are they kind and empathetic? Not only do we all have enough guilt in our lives, shame-based coaching has been proven time and again to not actually support us in achieving our goals. Find you a coach that meets you where you’re at and encourages you in ways that are based in kindness.

• Do they know the publishing industry? It is wonderful to be a hobbyist writer and I am constantly talking about the value of journaling, but if you want to publish a book, it’s important to have a coach who understands the landscape and can guide you to make decisions based on your goals.

• Is the amount of support and insight you’re getting equal to the price they’re asking? Hell yes, experienced coaches deserve to get paid well for their offerings! I have premium prices because I offer premium services. And also, I get way too many clients coming my way that paid $30,000 for a course or program and got nothing out of it. Take time to really look into if a program is going to help you reach your goals before you enroll.

• Can you afford it or do they have scholarships? There are way too many predatory marketers out there that will convince you to go into debt for their services. It’s one thing to stretch yourself a bit financially to join a program – I think that can actually be beneficial sometimes so you have some skin in the game and show up to do the work – but it’s another to starve because you had FOMO. If you can’t afford a program, look for free resources like podcasts or books, take some time to save up, or ask for a scholarship. I offer them in all my programs, as do many other coaches.

• Do they have testimonials or case studies? Hearing from past participants about their experience working with that particular coach can help you to determine if they are the right fit for you.

• Do you share values? Not only is your coach going to have an impact on your books content, they’re also someone you’re giving your time, money, and energy to. Having a coach with similar values as you do will help you have a better time and result during the book writing process.

What else do you look for in a coach? Share your thoughts and insights below.

Leave a comment

3) Peers on the path with you offering camaraderie and accountability.

Even with my wonderful coaches, I would have slept in every morning if I didn’t know my new friend Adrienne wouldn’t show up at my door and drag me out of bed.

Sure, we once ditched training to eat Eggs Benedict and try our hand at surfing that day instead (we failed miserably), but most mornings she was the only reason I kept running, and over two decades later, she’s still one of my closest friends.

Yes, a coach will keep you accountable, but nothing gets you out the door like a peer. That’s why it’s so important to have writing buddies to support you along your journey and be with you for the ups and downs.

4) Educational books, courses and programs to support you in developing your craft.

While I stand firm in the belief that the best way to become a better writer is to be a voracious and diverse reader, having a course or program to help you with the logistics

Think of it like climbing a mountain with a map, compass, and a predetermined trail versus going out into the wilderness alone and naked. Sure, you can still get to the final destination, but you’re going to have less pain, suffering, and itchy rashes if you follow a path someone else has carved out for you.

That said, you don’t have to quit your job and spend $45,000-75,000 on an MFA in writing. There are lots of programs out there – like Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® – that are 1/10 of the price and fit into your existing life.

If you don’t have the time or money to join a program right now, don’t let that stop you from educating yourself on the craft of writing.

We’ve got lots of free resources at School for Writers® including worksheets, workbooks, this blog and our podcast.

Plus, there are many fabulous books out there to help you hone your craft – including my favorites On Writing by Stephen King, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Story and Dialogue, both by Robert McKee.

Share what books have helped you with your craft in the comments so others can read them as well!

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If you’re looking for all of these support systems in one place, check out my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program.

For decades, I tried to find a writing group that featured a coach and/or mentors that had already written books, and a diverse and supportive group of peers writing with me. All while giving me both the practical and psychological tools I needed to write, edit, and publish my book. Plus, help building a writing career while I was doing it.

I couldn’t find it.

So I created it.

Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® is my dream writing program, the thing I wanted and needed most when I started my writing career two decades ago. I’m bummed I didn’t have it then, and I’m so damn happy it exists for you now.

Write Your Book

Whether you join one of my programs or go another way, know that I’m here cheering you on as you tell your story.

Stories are so very powerful.

Your story is so very powerful.

Your book could change someone’s world.

So in this time of book bans and story censoring, take time to stand up and proudly find your voice, tell your truths, and write your friggin’ book already!

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.™

With love,

Lauren

P.S. Found this post inspiring? Share it with a friend.

Refer a friend

What about a thriller and a self-help book?

Take away the title and synopsis, and I bet you could still identify whether you’re going to love a book simply by glancing at its cover.

Why?

If the artists did their job right, you should be able tell if a book is your “vibe” just by glancing at it.

Which is great, if you know your vibe. But what happens if you don’t?

The easy answer would be to just let the publisher decide, but how will their team know what kind of vibe your book should have? They could read it, sure, but if you don’t know what feeling you want your book to imbue, then neither will your readers.

As I tell the members of our Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program:

The key to a successful book is honing in on the essence from the start and using it to help you make decisions.

Should your characters have hot spicy sex and then never talk again, or simply kiss gently on the mouth before they live happily ever after?

Should you inspire immediate action in your readers to go out and make change, or should you encourage them to take a deep breath, slow down, and do less?

Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, cookbooks or poetry, to create a cohesive feel for your reader, you need to know the vibe you’re going for.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says essence is: the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.

So, when you’re trying to find the essence of your book, you’re asking, “what determines the character of my book?”

(Not the characters in your book, but the character of your book itself.)

Questions to ask yourself to find the “essence” or “vibe” of your book:

• How do I feel when I write it?

• How do I want readers to feel when they read it?

• Is there a section that reads like I’d want the rest of the book to read?

• If I got the best critique in the world about my book, what would it say?

• What is one scene I’m deeply proud of?

• What makes this book different than other stories that I could write?

I find these questions help me to make my book uniquely mine more than questions about genre and ideal reader. With these questions in mind, I’m able to create a cohesive feel for my book and make hard decisions when it comes to writing, editing, and publishing it.

What if you can’t define your essence or vibe in words?

You don’t have to strictly define the essence, it’s not always something you can write down. Often times, it’s a feeling.

For me, that feeling is one of joy, of giddy excitement, kind of like the feeling you have after a first date, where you can’t stop replaying this one part and hoping you can have more interactions like that.

It’s the beginning of love. That spark of hope.

Often times, it’s a scene that feels cheesy or something I’m almost afraid of sharing because I love it so much. Or, I want to share it with everyone I’ve ever met because I love it so much.

If you don’t have a scene like that yet, don’t worry. That’s fine. Just pick something that comes close. Maybe dialogue you’re really proud of or an example you used that really hit the mark.

Or, if you still can’t choose, just eeny-meeny-miney-moe it.

But I’d pick one scene that really nails what you’re trying to do, and then make some visuals around it to further solidify that feeling in your heart and soul as you write.

Create a mood board for your book!

This is one of my FAVORITE book practices – and not just because it’s a great way to productively procrastinate from actually writing.

A mood board is a set of visuals that help you to set up the look and feel you want for something.

Your book’s mood board will help you to determine who the characters are, what they’re like, what locations will be featured, who will be reading this book, and where will they read it.

It’s a powerful way to hone into your essence and give your book a cohesive emotional feel and polished branding in and of itself.

Plus they’re just really fun to make!

I have a free workshop to help you create a mood board and find your essence!

I’ve put together a workshop to help you create a mood board for your book – and it’s free! Click the link below to grab it.

Free Book Mood Board Workshop

Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the mood board for my book Because Fat Girl – and see how it influenced the cover!

I created this workshop while I was getting ready to edit my book, so you’ll be able to see how the decisions I made then affected everything from the color scheme to the graphics we used for the cover.

We’ve got the cover reveal coming on Thursday, March 14, so keep an eye out for it! Or, if you want to get a sneak peek early, go to BecauseFatGirl.com and sign-up to be a part of the BFG Insider Squad.

Whether you answer questions to get a defined essence of your book or use a mood board to help you set the vibe, knowing how your book will feel to the reader is the key to getting them to connect with your work.

So, what’s your book’s essence? What’s the vibe you’re going for with your book? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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Excited to hear all about your essence.

Lauren

P.S. Don’t miss the big reveal of the cover of my book on Thursday, March 14, where you can see if it stayed true to my essence! Subscribe to get notices sent to you when it’s public!

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Okay, maybe I don’t *actually* have a crystal ball (yet!), but I do keep my eye on writing trends and a pulse on publishing, and that means I see things that are headed our way.

Inspired by my friend and journalist Nick Wolny ‘s predictions for online content creation, I wanted to share with you my predictions for publishing in 2024 – and what you can do to prepare for these changes.

My predictions are based on these highly sophisticated and peer-reviewed research practices:

• Twenty years of working in the publishing industry

• Going through the publishing process myself (my debut fiction queer romance Because Fat Girl is coming out October 22 on Amara Press, an imprint of Entangled Publishing)

• “Off the record” days hosts where a group of authors get together and roundtable what’s happening in the industry, personally for our books and at large

• Constantly chatting with agents, publishers, and media about the industry

• Coaching writers and working directly with them through my company School for Writers and seeing their first-hand experiences

Could I be wrong?

Of course!

Am I probably right?

Sadly for some of these, yes.

But either way, I’ve got some advice to help you along your publishing journey.

Got questions or some predictions of your own? Leave a comment!

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Prediction #1: We’re going to see less diversity in traditional publishing.

I hate this one. I really do. But I’m seeing it talked about among my author friends and I’m worried it’s true.

In 2019, Lee & Low Books published a comprehensive report on diversity in publishing. It was not good folks.

In 2020 and 2021, under intense social pressure, publishing was forced to open its doors to people that had been historically silenced or relegated to specialty presses for most of publishing’s history.

Sadly, I’m seeing those doors close back up again.

Lee and Low’s next report is a few years out, but The Ripped Bodice has published a report on the state of racial diversity in romance every year, and the trend is sliding back to centering stories written by white, straight, non-disabled, cis women.

Publishing is in an upheaval right now, and I worry the people who will pay the price are those of us already underrepresented in the media.

What you can do about it: 

BUY DIVERSE BOOKS FROM INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES! I cannot stress enough how important it is to buy books from diverse authors at independent bookstores. 

Independent bookstores are at the forefront of amplifying diverse voices and quite literally give the mic to historically underrepresented authors. But they can’t host book tours, reading groups, or book clubs if they’re out of business, so ditch Amazon and buy your books from indy stores.

If you don’t have an independent bookstore in your town, you can buy your books online through Bookshop.org and choose a bookstore to support somewhere else.

Or, if you’re an audiobook fan, check out Libro.fm which allows you to support an independent bookstore with your purchase.

What are your thoughts? Is publishing getting less diverse? And how do you help diversify publishing?

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Prediction #2: We’re going to see an uptick in hybrid and self-published books.

More and more, I’m hearing of friends giving up trying to appease traditional publishers and going the self-pub or hybrid publishing route.

And I’m not mad about it.

Many of my clients have seen great success in self-publishing or going with a hybrid publisher, and I love having those books on my shelf that would otherwise not be there.

There are pros and cons to all types of publishing, but places like BookBaby and SheWrites Press are helping to reduce the stigma and enhance the quality of self and hybrid published books.

And best of all, you don’t have to wait for some straight white man in an office in NYC to think your story will sell so you can tell it. Instead, you can get it out into the world on your terms.

What you can do about it:

WRITE YOUR BOOK AND PUBLISH IT! If you’re interested in learning more about hybrid and self-publishing, check out these School for Writers podcast episodes:

•  Ep. 31 Producing Your Own Book with Logan Rená 

•  Ep. 38 Writing and Editing a Self-Published Book 

•  Ep. 53 Alternative Styles of Publishing with Roxan McDonald 

•  Ep. 24 How to Write a Book: A Step-by-Step Guide 

•  Ep. 4 Self-Publishing as a Healing Practice with KishaLynn Moore Elliott 

Do you know any great hybrid publishers? Or places to support you on your self-publishing journey? Share with other readers below.

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Prediction #3: Audiobooks are going to exponentially rise in popularity.

As podcast popularity grows, so have we seen an uptick in audiobooks. With big name narrators and high production values, publishers are upping their audio game.

But despite all the money being thrown at production value, the biggest reason I predict an uptick in audiobooks is exhaustion.

Everyone I talk to these days is overwhelmed. We keep wondering when it’s all going to ease up, but more and more keeps being added to our plates. By the end of the day, our eyes are tired and we can’t keep them open long enough to read or even binge watch TV.

That’s where audiobooks come in.

I’ve always been a huge audiobook fan, and audiobooks are one of the reasons I read 50+ books a year. But in the past, my friends have fought me on audiobooks, saying they’d rather physically hold a book.

That is changing.

More and more of my friends and readers have been reaching out to me lately asking for good books to listen to while laying on the sofa or going for a gentle walk. My audiobook suggestions on social media get more likes than my physical book recs. People don’t have the time or energy for physical books, but they still want to read.

When you’re sick, when you’re exhausted, when you want a full body escape, listening to a book is a great way to absorb stories.

And yes, I am going to have a FABULOUS audiobook narrator for my debut novel Because Fat Girl, and I cannot wait to tell you all about it.

What you can do about it:

If you’re not on Libro.fm yet, switch to them now!

Yes, Audible is the big name that everyone talks about, but it’s connected to Amazon, has really sketchy monopolistic practices, and does nothing to support your local community. Plus, you don’t own your audiobooks, Amazon does.

Libro.fm has everything Audible has PLUS you get to support a local bookstore with your purchases AND you own your books, so you can share them with friends!

And, you can  try it for free with this link  – which gets you and me both a free audiobook when you sign up. Win-win.

Here are some of my favorite audiobooks, if you need recommendations:

• House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – Love, love, love! It’s queer, has monstrously hilarious children, and shows hunanity at its finest.

• Broken Horses by Brandi Carlisle – Not only does this singer-songwriter narrate the memoir herself, she also sings between chapters. So good.

• Becoming by Michelle Obama – It’s really intriguing and interesting to hear Michelle Obama’s intimate details on her life before and during her time as first lady.

• The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri – This book, and the sequel The Oleander Sword, brought me into an Indian fairy tale world of powerful witches and empresses that I never wanted to leave. Bonus points for being very queer.

• Portrait of a Thief by Grace Liu – Chinese-American students stealing back art Western museums stole from China. It’s got all I want in a heist!

What audiobooks have you loved? Reply and share your recs with all of us below.

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Prediction #4: Robots are going to take over (and I’m not sure how I feel about that).

Whether you like it or not, artificial intelligence is here, and it’s being used everywhere from personal social media posts to massive corporations. 

I played around in ChatGPT about a year ago, just to see what the fuss was about, and I’m not going to lie – I was impressed. I thought of the hundreds of ways this technology will disrupt our current ideas of researching and writing, especially on the Internet, and not all of them were good.

I plan on doing a few posts just on this topic – including whether or not its ethical to use it – but for now just know it’s here, it’s the future, and we should be prepared to start reading a lot more content written by robots.

What you can do about it:

Educate yourself about AI and set ethical standards/boundaries for yourself that you can go to when you’re trying to decide whether to use it or not.

Some questions I am asking myself constant about AI:

• Do I feel comfortable using AI in my own writing, editing, and publishing process?

• Do I feel comfortable reading AI written, edited and published books or other media?

• What are the ethics for using AI to create a book cover? Do I feel comfortable using it?

• Who is harmed when I use AI? Am I actively participating in that harm?

• Where am I already using AI and where do I want to use it going forward?

Learn how artificial intelligence is already being used and start beginning to understand how it might be used in the future. Ask yourself what you think is ethical and start knowing where you’ll draw the line (or not) for creating your own content.

Here are some recent articles I read on the subject that you might want to read as well:

•  Surprising ways to use ChatGPT 

•  How indy authors are using ChatGPT to help write their first drafts. 

•  Google already knows ChatGPT will be the next big search engine, and what it’s doing about that. 

•  Nick Wolny (one of my favorite commentators on online content creation – a must follow) on ChatGPT vs. a Galapagos Tortoise  

Prediction #5: People are going to gravitate towards real life connections, like writing retreats and in-person author events.

I don’t know about you, but I’m Zoomed out. Sure, I love the connections I make online, but I’m longing to gather with creatives in-person.

And I’m not alone.

Over 90% of the people I polled in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program asked for in-person events for 2024. All of my colleagues are switching our Zoom writing accountability groups to in-person meetups. Local author book signings and writing meetups are selling out before I can get a ticket.

My entrepreneur friends are having trouble enrolling people in $100 courses, but those same people will pay $1,000 to attend an event (or even $20,000+ for VIP retreats). In-person events have a higher cost associated with them, but the rewards for everyone involved is worth it.

We’re all craving human connection after years of solitude. We want to get out of our homes and experience things.

Which is why I’m predicting so many more in-person events. And I’m so excited about that, personally and professionally. Because I too need a writing retreat!

What you can do about it:

If you’re longing for deeper connection offline with fellow writers, the first step in making that happen is checking out what’s already out there.

• Join my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program and come to CAMP WYFBA in San Diego this summer!

• Attend author events at your local bookstore (this is how I have met most of my writer friends in my home of San Diego, including best-selling author mentors, agent advisors, and the accountability group I write with in-person once a week).

• Check if there are writing groups that meet at your favorite coffee shops (I asked around and it turned out  PARU , my favorite tea house in town, had a weekly writing night I didn’t know about and now attend regularly and became good friends with the owners).

• Google “writing retreats in ____” and fill in your town or a place you want to visit. Or “writing retreats with ____” and the name of an author you love. (Yes, it can be that simple. That’s how I found Cheryl Strayed Esalen Writer’s Camp, which I attended for years before COVID shut it down).

• Message me at hello@schoolforwriters.com and we can chat about my one-on-one and small group writing retreats!

So those are my 5 Predictions for Publishing and Writing in 2023. What did you think? Agree? Disagree?

Let me know in the comments below.

Every time I have hit rock bottom, my journal has been there.

Every time I rose back up off the floor, my journal was there.

It’s amazing the profound effect that simply handwriting your thoughts out onto a piece of paper can have on your mental and physical well being.

You don’t have to just take my word for it.

Multiple scientific studies have shown that journaling will not only help you reduce anxiety and depression, but it will also help heal you mentally and physically.

1. 15 minutes a day of journaling has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and hostility in young adults, particularly if they were very distressed before beginning. 

2. Journaling helps even if you feel awkward doing it! 80% of the above young adults had never journaled before and 65% said it felt uncomfortable at first.

3. Journaling can heal you mentally and physically. In an effort to better support amputees, scientists studied people aged 64 to 97 who had a biopsy. The group that did expressive writing after their biopsy were 76% healed within a week, versus 46% of the control group.

Sources: 1. Harvard Medical School report; 2-3. UC Berkeley School of Psychology study; 4. Scientific American article. 

Pretty great, right⁉️

The best part is, there is no “perfect” or “correct” way to journal. You can show up to the page flawed or fabulous, sad or full of joy. A journal never judges.

Journaling also doesn’t have to be boring. You don’t have to just sit there and write dribble for a certain amount of time until your hand goes numb, like so many people think journaling has to be.

In my course Journal Through It: From “Oh $#@!” to “I’ve got this!” in 15 minutes, I teach three journaling techniques that make journaling easy, powerful and fun.

1. A Need, Want, Can’t List

This is my favorite technique for when you feel overwhelmed personally or professionally. It’s a great way to prioritize what matters right now to you and let go of what doesn’t.

The beauty of a need, want, can’t list is in the simplicity and universality. Whether you’re trying to make edits in your book, make money in your business, or make better love to your partner, a Need, Want, Can’t List is an easy and effective tool for setting priorities and boundaries in life.

Here’s how:

• Grab a piece of paper and make three columns.

• In the NEED column, write down the absolute musts of a situation.

• In the CAN’T column, write down all the things you have to let go of for now. That’s a great place to put worries, concerns, and boundaries.

• In the WANT column, put the things that would be great if you got them, but aren’t total musts.

Now you have a list of priorities and boundaries to help you move forward in a situation by focusing on what matters most and letting go of the rest.

2. Visioning

Sometimes your thoughts are so jumbled it’s hard to write cohesive sentences. A word cloud is a mix of thoughts written all over a piece of paper and a great way to visualize what’s in your head.

There’s no right or wrong way to do a word cloud, just think of it as non-linear and creative focused journaling. Here are some examples:

3. Free Flow

Made popular by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, free flow is simply writing whatever comes to your mind for a specific length of time or pages. No editing, no reading back through it, just let your creative energy flow.

Here’s how: Set a timer for 15 minutes, embrace your inner Elsa from Frozen and let it go. Don’t worry about making sense or perfect sentences. Just write whatever comes up for you and get it out.

Those are my favorite techniques, what are yours? Leave a comment and let me know.

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If you want to delve deeper into journaling, check out my course Journal Through It: From “Oh $#@!” to “I’ve got this!” in just 15 minutes.

Get it free with code “LOVE”.

Happy journaling everyone!

Lauren