Open Draft - with Fabio Cerpelloni

In this episode, I tell a personal story that might make you reflect on how you try to avoid uncomfortable situations. Listen to what happened to me in August 2022 while I was camping in Portugal. It might give you something to think about.  Episode Links Join my private email list at https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/ for:  announcements about my bookclubs and programs special discounts language learning tips nonfiction book recommendations inspiring true stories free events I organize content updates (new blog posts, podcast episodes and more)

...and misunderstood. A few thoughts on how to get skilled instead. Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

You’re a writer. Period. No more self-doubt. No more questioning your identity. Listen for a few thoughts on this. Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

A couple of years ago, I discovered PJ Milani, aka Milani Creative, an illustrator who publishes the coolest visual metaphors on the internet. I reached out to him and invited him on the show to discuss creativity. Enjoy the conversation!Links- PJ Milani's Newsletter - https://idea-milanicreative.beehiiv.com/- Milani Creative - https://www.milanicreative.com/- Thinking in Visual Metaphors - https://maven.com/milanicreative/visualthinking- Join Better Writers: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/privateBooks and stuff we mentioned:- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon- Ship 30 for 30 – a writing cohort/course PJ joined early in his creative journeyTime Stamps00:00 – Intro02:24 – Creating Daily08:05 – The Start of PJ Milani’s Creative Journey23:22 – The Creator Economy33:10 – Creating for Yourself vs Creating for Others38:46 – The Goal of Visual Metaphors45: 25 – PJ Milani's Creative Process53:37 – On Being Original1:01:18 – PJ Milani's Book1:06:25 – Words of Encouragement for Creatives1:16:40 – Conclusion & where to find PJKeywords (ignore)creativity, daily practice, visual metaphors, content creation, artistic process, self-awareness, personal growth, creative practice

Some ideas for a tiny book to help you see "writing a book" less as a daunting task and more of your next accomplishment. Tiny book services - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/services/Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

I invited 3 promising authors from my Tiny Book Writing Group. Delphine, Rich, and Rachel have been relentlessly working on their manuscripts, and in this conversation, you'll hear them talk about how they're approaching the writing process, their reasons for writing, the challenges they're facing, and other tiny author-related matters.If you're a writer, an aspiring author, or both, you might enjoy this unedited conversation.*Links*Join the Tiny Book Writing Group - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/tiny-book-writing-group/Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/privateTimestamps00:00 – Introduction02:06 – Exploring the Purpose of Each Book08:40 – Writing Process and Challenges21:10 – Sources of Inspiration and Idea Generation26:30 – Daily Writing Practices and Discipline45:30 – Hopes and Aspirations55:00 – Advice for Aspiring Authors59:29 – Join Better WritersKeywords (ignore)writing, authors, books, tiny authors, tiny books, creativity, writing books, writers

When roducing a draft, I sometimes feel an invisible reader judging my writing. Here's a simple solution that's helped me.Developmental Editing for Tiny Authors - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/developmental-editing-for-tiny-authors/Interview with Kay Adams - https://youtu.be/8FvaRuz21uM?si=PEdJ8In7Q6mZ_NlPA book that changed my writing - https://youtu.be/UEJmxMuKecg?si=XirsrvBswBOKsGBoBetter Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

Jennifer Lawler is my guest today. She’s authored or coauthored more than 30 nonfiction books and nearly 20 novels, including the award-winning Dojo Wisdom series (Penguin). One of those titles — "Dojo Wisdom for Writers: 100 Simple Ways to Become a More Inspired, Successful, and Fearless Writer" — is now on my reading list.Jennifer is a prolific and versatile creative professional. She’s written everything from fantasy and paranormal romance to martial arts guides and career how-tos. She also holds a Ph.D. in medieval English literature and a black belt in Taekwondo — which, as she explains, taught her lessons she still applies to writing.She’s worked as a developmental editor for over 20 years, has been a literary agent, a magazine editor, and now runs Club Ed, an online school for editors. She’s also taught editing and writing at universities and through professional programs across the U.S.If you’re a writer or an editor who wants to grow, improve, and stay inspired, this conversation is for you.Here's what I asked her...00:00 – Intro03:10 – How did you start writing?05:56 – Where do your ideas come from?08:40 – Do you finish every project?11:28 – How do you write nonfiction?14:36 – Does a personal story make nonfiction unique?16:23 - Self-publishing or traditional publishing?19:59 – How did editing help you?23:18 – Do writers need editors?25:15 – Beta reader or editor?28:04 – When is a draft ready for an editor?31:13 – Have you ever worked with writers who were resistant to feedback? 36:10 – What should writers ask when hiring an editor?42:01 – Can AI replace editors?45:50 – Has book quality dropped?48:30 – Advice for aspiring writers?51:08 – What’s in Dojo Wisdom?55:01 – How do you handle criticism?01:00:00 – Last questions 01:01:05 – Join Better WritersLinks- Jennifer's website - www.jenniferlawler.com- ClubEd - www.clubedfreelancers.com- Better Writers - www.fabiocerpelloni.com/privateSearch words (ignore)writing, editing, non-fiction, fiction, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing feedback, AI in writing, martial arts, author advice

Dr. Alexandra Rogers is a clinical psychologist from California. She recently published Your Journey to Successful Parenting, a project that took her two years to complete. In this conversation, she shares how she did it--what tools and services she used, how much she spent, what she learned along the way, and what she’d do differently next time.If you're planning to self-publish a book, hearing from someone who's been through the process might be well worth your time.Enjoy!***Resources, tools, and services Alexandra used to self-publish her book***Book cover design: 100 Covers https://100covers.com/Editors - Christine Grail - https://www.thescriptconsultant.com/- Kirkus Editing - https://www.kirkusreviews.com/editing-services/Professional reviewers - Kirkus Reviews, for independent publishers- Publishers Weekly, the arm for independent publishers is BookLife ReviewISBNs- BowkerLibrary of Congresshttps://www.loc.gov/programs/preassigned-control-number/about-this-program/Paid Book promotion companies- Fussy Librarian- Hello Books- EreaderIQ- FreebooksyVoice over actor for audiobooks- https://www.voices.com/Audiobook published through: Findaway Voices - https://my.findawayvoices.comAlexandra's website - https://arogersbooks.com/Your Journey to Successful Parenting - https://www.amazon.com/YOUR-JOURNEY-SUCCESSFUL-PARENTING-STRESS-FREE/dp/B0DZQRH5N1Alexandra also mentioned "How to Get Paid for What You Know" by Graham Cochrane ***Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private

What's the writer's most important skill? A few reflections and stories about that...Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/Several Short Sentences About Writing - https://youtu.be/UEJmxMuKecg?si=Xl4BCXIFP_L2owIgWriting Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer - https://youtu.be/_W90D4dTdhA?si=kBo6MXzxZuwQuUB8

Join the Tiny Book Writing Group - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/tiny-book-writing-group/Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/The speeches we would watch at the end of each day. Don't be put off by the quality of the videos. They're great - https://youtu.be/cz7QHNvNFfA?si=aaQxfporzLNFRwMB

Book recommendation: "Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer" by Roy Peter Clark***Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

Use your stories and don't be afraid to get personal. You're doing it to help, not to show off. If you write with honesty, the reader will sense it and trust you -- just like you've trusted all your favourite authors. 🤩 Thanks for listening.Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

Do you ever wonder if you have enough skills to start writing and publishing? If so, here are a few thoughts that might help you.Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

There's so much wisdom and honesty in "The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh." Most of the sentences and passages I underlined relate to creativity, procrastination, making great art, and even writing. I still have 150 pages left to read, but I've recorded this video to ramble about 3 - 4 quotes from this gem. It helps me reflect on what I read, and I hope it somehow helps you too. Please share your comments below.***Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/Time stamp00:00 Intro01:00 Admire09:40 Drafting12:27 Art and Money15:20 Conclusion

I've been writing my tiny book for the past two months. My 13,959-word draft is ready. Now what?***Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/The interview with Adina Edelman - https://youtu.be/nY5lZ24tLHY?si=PgEQ41XFI-FZooYj

The episode I mentioned (funny how I'm also encouraging you to consume more content) -- Consume Less Content (the interview with Kerri Sackville) - https://youtu.be/8UFjWDJhCWE?si=napBZnmh78-XIQGP

I'll show you how I've planned my tiny book. (If you can't see it, here's the YouTube link - https://youtu.be/2CFii2_e778?si=nR1i-dsM1LFG7qrT)Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

A few reflections on what really matters when it comes to writing.***Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/

I’ve been highlighting and marking many things in "The Business of Storytelling: Creating a Thriving Writer-Editor Career" by Jennifer Lawler. There’s so much that resonates with me in this book. No BS like “I’ve made 1,000,000$ this month by ghostwriting for Bill Gates, Serena Williams, and the Pope. Here’s how you can, too. ” Join Better Writers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/private/Jennifer's websites- https://www.clubedfreelancers.com/ - https://www.clubedfreelancers.com/jennifer-lawler-editor/- https://jenniferlawler.com/