In Episode 92 I did some fun exploring of what work and living and writing gets to look like. Hopefully that episode supported you in realizing you are basically always writing. So, in today’s episode, I offer some practical steps on how to capture your continuously creative self. These are the very tricks and tools our clients use to help them go from what feels like a slew of random ideas to beautiful published books! Here are the highlightsWork with yourself: you are not suddenly going to develop this strict habit of writing everyday at 5am if you aren’t a morning person and have never written consistently before. Try different things and see what works for you. Be consistently flexible! Push your beliefs on what counts as writing: writing doesn’t always have to involve pen and paper or a computer. Feel into the moments when ideas are running through you and start to test the best ways to capture those ideas for yourself Tried and true practical tools our clients use to get their thoughts down: Voxer, Otter.ai, writing sprints, a community of support, and more  As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Often coming up with ideas for writing is presented as this thing we don’t yet have and must come up with, and then we can write! In this episode, I get curious about how we can actually tap into the bazillion ideas we have swirling around through the practice of gratitude. Join me as I walk you through some fun questions and writing prompts that can help you tap into the spirit of gratitude while also supporting your writing! As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I have been leaning into what “work” gets to look like these days. Am I working when I am on a walk with my dog? Am I working when I take my son and I to dinner? Am I working when I take a nap? And since my work revolves around writing, I thought it would be fun to do an episode exploring the “art of writing,” which for me and those of you who have a desire to write a book, lends itself to exploring the “art of living” as well. In this episode, we’ll explore: Redefining workRedefining writing and how we write Exploring what’s possible when we draw blurry lines between working, writing, and livingI’m excited to see what shows up for you today! L.P. Jacks' quote referenced in today's episode can be found here.As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode, I keep the spooky Halloween spirit going and talk about why we often feel so scared to write! I dive into some of the ways that I coach people through naming the fears, how our body responds to these fears, and what might support you in moving with and through the fear (yes, my dear, the fear is gonna be there no matter what!). Some highlights from the episode are: Normalizing fear as a part of our writing processExploring the meaning we are giving to the fear showing upWhere the fear comes fromWhat is really going on when we get scared and nervous about our writing How to work with and through the fear and keep writingAs always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, I share my experiences in receiving royalties from my books. I have published traditionally with a big publishing house and self-published. In the episode, I break down: In today's episode, I share my experiences in receiving royalties from my books. I have published traditionally with a big publishing house and self-published. In the episode, I break down: The differences in royalties I receive from my traditionally published vs self-published bookHow to decide which is the aligned path for youAs always, this sharing is not about which is right/wrong, but which is more aligned with you and your publishing (and beyond) goals). As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I cannot wait to share this week’s episode of The Written Compass Podcast with you!!!!It was my absolute pleasure to sit down with Tonya Reid. Tonya has been a client of ours for over a year now, and I am.so.proud of where her writing journey has taken her!!! A hairdresser by trade, Tonya has always had a knack for entertaining and storytelling behind the chair. After raising her blended family of 4 boys with her husband Billy Reid and stepping away from her bustling hair salon, she is enjoying having a damn minute to herself to get all the stories and lessons from her amazing journey on paper. Being off-the-charts extroverted and passionate about supporting others' dreams, she is a powerful speaker and consultant as well. On this week’s episode, Tonya and I laugh through the entire episode as she shares details about her own contribution to Unveiling the Secrets (our collaborative book) and more! You can connect with Tonya on Instagram @thetonyareidGet a copy of her brand new book, US Hairways: Snippets from a Hairdresser's Journey, here!As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many writers don’t think about the interior formatting of their book! Today I asked the amazing designer and published author, Melisa Graham, to give us the nitty gritty on all the things you need to consider for the inside of your book. We discussed what Melisa considers the top 4 elements involved when formatting the beautiful pages of your book:Your readers’ expectations based on the genre, your previous work, etc.Your desires for your readers’ experience as they read your bookThe cover and fulfilling the expectations it createsThe technical stuff like licensing high-resolution images, your printer’s specifications, etc.Whether you are DIY publishing or getting support, you’ll want to know all of these! To connect with Melisa, follow her on IG @1smelisaAs always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet the Authors of Unveiling the Secrets: Kristin Bowen & Melisa Graham!In today’s episode I’m thrilled to slowly introduce you to some of our amazing authors for our most recent collaborative book, Unveiling the Secrets: An Encyclopedia by Women, For Women (and Those Who Love Them).Today I had the pleasure of speaking with authors Kristin Bowen and Melisa Graham. In this episode, we discuss:1. What led the authors to join in on a collaborative book2. What their experience was like to write in community with others3. What they are taking away from their processAlso, they share sneak peeks from their writing!To get your copy of the book, head to Amazon: Unveiling the Secrets: An Encyclopedia by Women for Women (and Those Who Love Them) To connect with Kristin, follow her on IG @kjacks99. To connect with Melisa, follow her on IG @1smelisaAs always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"What do I have to say that is different from anyone else?" This is a common stumbling block when writing your book and sharing your messages in business and life. In today's episode, I share how what makes you unique IS your legacy, and I break down 3 secrets for identifying that uniqueness, that difference: 1. Connection2. Love3. YOUI can't wait to hear what resonates and what makes you uniquely you. As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Part 2 of understanding the secret of writing anything! Today's episode is Part 2 of 2 on the next key elements of the rhetorical situation: 1. The purpose2. The topic3. The context and culture Tune in as I break down the key to using these elements of the rhetorical situation to confidently write whatever you desire. As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wouldn't it be awesome to have a powerful process for writing anything, from an email to a social media post to a book? The secret is understanding what is called the "rhetorical situation." Once you understand this, you can literally write anything! Today's episode is Part 1 of 2 on some of the key elements of the rhetorical situation: 1. The writer 2. The audience Tune in as I break down the key to using these elements of the rhetorical situation to confidently write whatever you desire. As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You likely have heard the term "writer's block" before, but do we really understand what it is? In today's episode, I break down some of the elements I see in my own work with writing clients and how to begin to shift out of writer's block. I discuss ideas like: - fear of failure- discomfort- imperfectionI also discuss how you are your own best resource for moving with and through writer's block. As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether we realize it or not, writing your book requires an investment of time, energy, and resources. In today's episode, I get real about the costs of writing and self-publishing your book. In the episode, I talk about: - editing- cover design- interior formatting - support throughout the process - marketing- earning potential What shows up when you consider the investment for writing your book? I know you are worth it! As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Self-publishing is a very popular option for writers today! In today's episode, I go over the step-by-step details of Amazon KDP's publishing process. In the episode, I go over: - The book details (like title, subtitle, categories, etc.) - The book content requirements - The pricing requirements- Account setupAs always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If we wanted to hang out with a friend, visit with a family member, or go on a date, would we just sit and wait and “hope” it happens? No, we’d need to take some intentional action to make this happen or at least create an invitation for it. The same goes for our inner writer--we need to invite her in! In today's episode, I share 3 simple ways to invite this part of you to come out and play. Here's a quick list: Be open and receptive Intentionally put yourself in spaces that inspire youConsistently planHow do you want to invite the writer within to come out and play today? As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to wrap up your book can be tough! We often feel a lot of pressure to do something magical, which can lead to us getting stuck and potentially never finishing. In today's episode, I share details on the following techniques to wrap up your book in a way that feels great for you as the writer and for your readers! Just endShare questionsOffer practical tips Write a letter to the reader Share a final "amen" storyOffer next steps to work with youModel after the ending of other books As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Getting "stuck" in your writing process happens to everyone who writes a book! In fact, the good and bad thing about writing is that you can keep writing and drafting forever! But, eventually, you have to stop writing and shift into revision and finalizing your book. Here are the tips I cover today to help you do just that! Tip #1: Get back to your big picture WHY for your book Tip #2: Get clear on the structure (and 3 questions to ask yourself to help)Tip #3: Get someone’s eyes on it (and how to make sure you get real feedback!) As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I am doing something brave (and that I preach on this podcast): reading an excerpt from my current book in progress! The working title is, Writing is Not That Hard: Ending the Self-Judgment and Recognizing the Writer Within. As you listen, you'll learn: - Where the myth of "writing is hard" comes from?- Who benefits (and who doesn't) by perpetuating this myth?- How I am introducing the "so what" and purpose for my book? As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Threads is Instagram's text-based conversation app, and it's taken the social media world by storm this week. I want to offer you 3 practical types for activating your writing self on this new platform! I give details about: - being playful in this new space - easily sharing all your different types of words - focusing on connection As always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the CraftIn today’s episode, I will break down why and when it is best to heed this famous advice from Stephen King as well as how to actually do it… without too many tears! Here is an overview: “Darlings” are those favorite parts, stories, pieces, ideas, lines, etc. in your writing that you just love Listen to your readers and what resonates with themUse the “cutting room floor” file technique Know that your “darlings” are still useful and can be used for other writing needsAs always, leave us a review so that more people see the podcast and get the writing support they need. Then, share your takeaways and this episode on IG, tagging me @shanahartman_ Remember, we are here to change the personal growth and biz strategy publishing world by activating our unique voices and stories.If you are ready to see if working with Shana and her team is your next step for leaving your legacy and getting your core messages from business and life in an empowering book click this link to work with Shana!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.