PATRICIA L. BROOKS, MAOM
Speaker, author, publishing consultant, business owner
and ASU faculty-associate
480-250-5556 cell
www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com http://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
Three (3) Tips for Writing Self-Help
“Most people become writers because they are haunted by secrets they need to tell.”
David Morrell, Lessons of a Lifetime of Writing
Ø Why do you want to be a writer?
Why do you want to write self-help?
Ø Writing Inspiration for Self-Help
o Can you be an instrument for change?
o What is our purpose?
o Is your goal to have others follow you?
o Do you have objectives and strategies?
o Will your stories grab your audience?
o Do you understand good writing is not enough?
o What is your passion?
o What moves you?
o What is the cause and effect for you?
o For whom do you need to be a voice?
o What makes you who you are?
o Do you understand it is not about you?
Ø How serious are you about being prepared?
Ø The Importance of Research for Self-Help
o Practice strict research rules – Primary and Secondary
o Stay focused on the goal at hand
o Have a vision for success to stay motivated
o Do your homework and study history
o Realize there is no easy way and no basic formula
o Take copious notes in interviews and lectures
o Carry a notebook and camera everywhere
o Listen to people and ask questions
o Read ferociously on your topic for complete understanding
o Learn everything you can about your topic
o Understand yourself completely
o Have a follow-up plan, but don’t be obsessed
“Research is the reward not the penance to be able to write.”
David Morrell
Ø What gnaws at your soul?
Ø What incident in your life has motivated you to write this book?
Ø The Voice and Structure of Self-Help
o Rely on ideas coming spontaneously from within
o Pay attention to your subconscious
o Don’t doubt yourself, write daily
o Involve all of your senses in your writing
o Be mindfully aware of who you are
o Be clear on your goals, objectives and strategies
o Harness a distinct subject matter
o Secure a specific approach and be original
o Remember the five W’s of reporting
o Give yourself a timeline
o Emulate others you admire
Ø Ask yourself why would anyone care if you wrote this book?
Ø Ask yourself if it will hold interest?
49 Responses to THREE TIPS FOR WRITING SELF-HELP – get published and make a difference
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I think this is good counsel not only for self-help books, but for writers in all genres. Know your purpose. Do your research. Be authentic. Care about what you write. Be compelling.
Nice job, Patricia!
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Thank you for being here – more to come – stay tuned – the writing and publishing world is on fire and it is great to be a part of it.
We write because we have to write and we publish because we have to tell our stories, get our message out there, take up our cause or share with others to be a beacon of light – write and write and write – good luck to you! I write in memoir and self-help – charge on!
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