MINI STORY SPINE
Define the point and purpose of your book before you start writing.
You'll receive:
PDF WORKBOOK
1 x SUBMISSION DEADLINE
1 x ROUND OF EDITORIAL FEEDBACK
1 x 60 MINUTE COACHING CALL
THIS OFFER IS FOR YOU IF:
You wish to refine your ideas.
You know it would be valuable to look at your idea from multiple angles, and to sift through varied perspectives until you've found the one that feels right, so you don't have to course-correct when you're already thousands of words in.
You're looking for your controlling idea: the one that is central to the whole, and provides structure, like a spine.
You'd also like to establish whether your idea has scope as a book-length project, as opposed to, say, an essay or one chapter in an anthology; and whether your conviction in your idea is deep enough to pull you through the hard moments.
You'd like to inspire a profound shift in culture.
Transformational non-fiction makes a promise to its reader. It promises to answer a question the reader is already carrying inside - whether that's a question of utmost intimacy (internal transformation), one that addresses the culture at large (external change) or both.
With this mini-program, you will define how your book will make, and deliver, a promise to the reader; and what that promise is in specific terms.
In order to achieve this, you will consider your reader's experience of the material alongside your own inspirations and reasons for writing. You'll start to see your project from the 'outside in' as well as the 'inside out.'
This may be new thinking for you. It might sound difficult to do; but I'll represent and reflect the point of view of an ideal reader, asking questions to help you check and deepen your thinking.
Establishing author-reader rapport is essential if you wish to inspire transformation in your reader.
The sooner you learn to think in these terms, the better. Your writing will become more focused, as if you're shooting an arrow at a bull's eye, rather than firing in the general direction of a target with your eyes closed.
It might feel impossible to narrow your body of work down to one controlling idea.
Your book is taking form in your mind, but you are yet to have a vision of it as a finished entity, because you don't know what specific angle to take, or how to make your unique contribution to a bigger cultural conversation on this subject.
This lack of clarity is causing resistance when it comes to sitting down to write, even though you're passionate about your project.
Your wheels are spinning, you're losing precious time, and you feel impatient to get the real work underway.
Sharing your information feels urgent, because it speaks in some way to the pain and brokenness in the world, and offers a way through.
It can be a challenge to clarify the central problem your book addresses, and the solution it offers.
You're looking for the approach that feels right; that gives you a full-body "YES!"
You will have to ask yourself difficult questions.
It takes dedication to find your story spine, even in its mini-version (see Your Story Spine for the expanded version, which is my follow-up service).
You are going to have to ask challenging questions and find the answers that are true for you.
There's nothing small about the subject you're writing about. After all, you're challenging belief systems that have grown in power and influence over centuries.
You have accumulated a whole body of work over time, and narrowing that down is hard to do. Your thinking is likely to be iterative.
This offer will set you up with right thinking as you embark on your project.
This offer doesn't promise instantaneous results. It's too bite-sized for that. Yes, you might experience an 'aha!' moment at some point in the process: one that gives you goose-bumps. That can happen, but it's more likely you will continue to re-work and refine your ideas after we've done this initial work together.
What this offer will do, most importantly, is set you up with right thinking as you embark on your project. You will learn how to ask the right questions.
How fast you move will depend on how far along the path you are already, and how much time and effort you choose to put in.
Does the 'outside-in' approach feel anathema to your creative process?
You might feel that 'thinking like your reader' is selling out; that it's salesy or manipulative, out of artistic and intellectual integrity, and will drain your creativity.
These feelings are common. But actually, the process of digging into your book's point and purpose is incredibly helpful, because it guides you into the deeper layers of your intention.
The clearer your intention is at the start, the more lucid your writing will be, and the more you'll enjoy the process of writing.
This saves you time and energy in the long run, because it helps you write with thematic and structural cohesion. This in turn provides a deep, satisfying and seamless reading experience.
You will find clarity, and with it, momentum.
Many writers believe they lack motivation when they hit a rough patch in the writing process, but it's more accurate to say they lack clarity.
When you define your 'mini story spine' in advance, you have a compass to guide you with every authorial decision you make. It can get you through overwhelm, confusion, the sticky moments, because you remember your source of inspiration in the first place.
Imagine the feeling...
How this offer works:
Your workbook & schedule
The Mini Story Spine includes a PDF guide for you to through with in your own time. You'll receive this when you sign up. The questions and exercises provided will help you to define what you're setting out to achieve and why: your book's point and purpose. The more time and thought you put into your answers, the better.
Submitting your answers
Once you've done your preparatory work, you'll book your coaching call with me. You will submit your work-in-progress (using Microsoft Word) 48 hours in advance of our call.
Our 1:1 coaching call
We'll use our 60-minute coaching call to look at your ideas in detail, and address any questions you might have.
Is this preparatory work really necessary?
Honestly, this depends on how your mind works.
Some people rely on the inspiration that comes during the writing process; that find what they want to say by writing their way towards it.
If that's you, this package isn't a good fit.
However for most people, and especially in the realm of non-fiction, exploring the potential of an idea before you start writing, can be the difference between writing your manuscript with ease, or feeling frustrated and getting stuck later (which in turn can cause you to give up on your project).
PRICING
Special Introductory Rate:
$ 199 USD
This offer includes:
* PDF workbook
* 1 x submission deadline
* 1 x round of editorial feedback
* 1 x 60 minute coaching call
Your payment:
After I've read your contact form (see below), I'll invoice you for a one-off payment with Stripe (a secure online payment system.) You will receive your 'Mini Story Spine' workbook immediately after payment.
Interested in signing up?
If yes, please click the button below. It will take you to a contact form to fill out.
FAQ
For edits and written feedback, we'll use Microsoft Word's 'track changes' function, so it's important you are familiar with this.
For the coaching call, we will use Zoom or equivalent (video and/or audio).
My services are non-refundable. If for unexpected reasons you can't use this service within 30 days from the time of purchase, please contact me to discuss this.
