Welcome to the Business Book Bites podcast, where we give you a bite-sized taste of the insights and strategies from successful authors and business experts. In this episode, Karen Williams and Sheryl Andrews delve into the world of writing fears and how they impact aspiring authors. This episode unpacks the trepidations that come from comparing oneself to others, the financial and time investments involved in writing, and the fear of both failure and success. Sheryl and Karen discuss the importance of understanding and embracing individual writing processes, as well as the pivotal role of feedback and validation from ideal readers. They also highlight the personal growth and business benefits that can stem from writing a book, stressing the significance of each person’s unique voice and story. If you are facing fear, here are the three questions that Sheryl posed during the conversation. What kind of fear is it? Where is it coming from? When you deal with that, then what happens? You can check out our upcoming events at https://librotas.com/librotasevents/ or get in touch via karen@librotas.com. Key insights Embrace Your Unique Voice: Your personal story and perspective hold immense value. Sheryl Andrews emphasized that every person's unique voice and story will resonate with someone out there. Validation & Feedback: Before seeking feedback, be clear about your audience. Karen Williams highlights the importance of finding a unique angle for your book and getting early validation from potential readers. Growth Through Writing: Writing a book is more than just publishing words; it's about refining your message, attracting the right business, and experiencing personal and professional growth. As Karen and Sheryl discuss, embracing fears and understanding your own writing process can lead to profound self-discovery. Bio – Karen Williams: Karen Williams is The Book Mentor at Librotas®, a leading authority in helping experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders write and market non-fiction books. Having started out in business in 2006, and writing her first book in 2009, she knows the difference that writing a book can make to your business when done well. With a focus on sharing significant stories and memorable messages, Karen guides her clients through the entire process of planning, writing, marketing, and launching a book that boosts credibility, attracts new clients, and creates exciting opportunities. Karen is the bestselling author of 10 books. Website: https://librotas.com Socials: https://www.facebook.com/librotashttps://twitter.com/librotashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwilliamslibrotas/ https://www.instagram.com/karenwilliamslibrotashttps://www.youtube.com/@librotas Bio – Sheryl Andrews Sheryl Andrews is The Listening Detective and is known for helping you do more of what you love and ditch the critic that says you can’t. Sheryl spends her time supporting individuals to work, learn and live at their best, both independently and in groups, and her first book, Manage Your Critic, was published in 2016. Website: https://stepbysteplistening.com Time stamped overview: 00:00 Self-reflection, kindness, and trusting your process.05:05 Writing a book brings clarity and impact.07:00 Instinct, training, uniqueness in sharing personal stories.12:16 Feedback shapes work, seek it carefully.13:40 Overcoming fears and seeking constructive feedback.17:49 Embracing imperfection, growing through the writing process.21:41 Embrace writing, and overcome the fear of comparison.24:38 Refining messaging attracts the right business; overcoming fears.29:15 Fear of rejection leads to avoidance of references.31:59 Update books for changes, never perfect timing. Discussion questions: Fear and Comparison: How can the tendency to compare oneself to other authors and their accomplishments amplify the fear of writing and publishing a book? Individual Writing Process: In what ways can understanding one's unique writing process alleviate fears and contribute to a successful writing journey?Fear of Failure vs. Success: How do fears of failure and success differ in their impact on an aspiring author, and how can one address these fears effectively?Refining Business Messaging: How can the process of writing a book help an author to refine their business messaging and attract the right audience?Purpose and Outcomes: Why is it crucial for writers to clearly define the purpose of their book and consider the potential outcomes, whether they achieve success or face failure? Seeking Feedback: What are some effective strategies for seeking feedback during the book-writing process, and how can authors remain open yet discerning about the feedback they receive?Validation from Readers: How can gaining validation from potential readers before publishing enhance the credibility and reception of a book?Embracing Fears and Excuses: According to Karen Williams and Sheryl Andrews, how does ...
