The Written Compass

It's normal for fear to show up at various stages of your writing process and journey. One of the places I see it show up the most is at the beginning and ending, especially right before we hit publish. Tune in to find the 3 key questions to ask to coach yourself through the self-sabotage moments that can show up. If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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 often hear people say, “I feel like I have a story to tell.” Then, they go on to share how they don’t know where to begin, what to include, how to organize it, etc. In today’s episode, I walk you through some clear steps on how to get your story down (and it doesn’t mean starting with your birth story!). Here are some highlights: don’t hold back, get it all downlook for patterns and themes that might group your stories don’t worry about chronology or timecapture feelings as well as what was happeningIf you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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 had the pleasure of connecting with a good friend, colleague, and author, Dr. Cindy Urbanski. In today's episode, we dive into her newest self-publication, Getting Schooled on Resistance: An Exploration of Clashing Narratives in Urban School Reform. Highlights from our convo: - how we all had moments of not fitting into the traditional model of school- the importance of telling the stories of students and teachers- the process for reclaiming a traditionally published book and self-publishing as a new title Buy her latest book here: https://a.co/d/0GIp0LvTo connect with Cindy: Email: cindy@cindyurbanski.com Website: Cindyurbanski.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_d_urbanski If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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.

We have all heard about the importance of journaling, but what is really happening when we write in a journal? In today’s episode, I breakdown what is going on when we crack open a journal or daybook. Here are some highlights:A space just for youSlow down Tap into your “intuition, knowledge, and imagination” (from https://iajw.org/journaling-for-self-care/) Reflect and notice what is working for you and what is notA “soft place to land” and sit with yourself (from https://iajw.org/journaling-for-self-care/) If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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.

When do you need to know the order of your ideas? Well, there is no one right answer! In today’s episode, I share when and why organizing your ideas and having a clear structure is helpful and when it is potentially a form of procrastinating. Here are some highlights of what I share in the episode… My process of writing a recent structured articleWhat we really want when we seek order and structureWhen focusing on organization is helpful and when it is harmful Questions to ask yourself to make sure you don’t get stuck procrasti-organizing If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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.

When clients come to work with us, there is a common part of the journey that almost everyone experiences: fear. Often this fear can manifest as questioning and doubting ourselves and wondering “who am I” to share my words in a book?! In today’s episode, I share a story of how this showed up recently with a client as well as how you might work with and through this very common feeling as you are leaving a legacy with your words. Here are some highlights from the episode: Noticing when you worry about shining too bright There is no such thing as overpowering or dimming others lightThis fear is actually about youYour job is not to determine what others will say, how they will respond to your words, etc. The freedom of releasing these expectationsIf you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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 how transformative book writing is not only for yourself but for all that you desire in your life and your career or business. And here’s the kicker, it’s not about the book! The book is a vehicle for so many amazing opportunities! Here are some highlights from this episode:Book as Legacy (it lives on after you)Books as a way to reach more people and in an accessible wayBooks are your best referral partnersProvides clarity of thought and a tool for growthIf you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartAs 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.

My team and I are all about supporting our clients in finding the book they want to write. We have published personal growth books, business strategy books, lesson memoir books, and more! Lately, we are seeing our clients explore what feels like a new genre: interactive books. It’s a mix of longer, chapter writing combined with journal prompts and space for the reader to write. In today’s episode, I share more about what feels like a fun, new genre. Want help getting started? Head to this link!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 folks who write a book want to be a #1 Best Seller! On KDP, this doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does. In today’s episode, I share how we support our clients in achieving #1 and top 10 rankings on KDP! Highlights:- it’s important to know what the KDP rankings actually mean- it’s important to know your “why“ for wanting to be “ranked” - there are some key codes to crack to help you have the best rankings for youWe also have a new exciting resource to share! https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstartWant help getting started? Head to this link!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 love talking to folks about their writing ideas. I get giddy hearing them go from thought to thought, verbally laying down one powerful word after another. Then, something shifts. Almost like clockwork, they begin telling me all the things they need so they can actually write what they just shared. In today’s episode, I dive into what you really need to write vs what you think you need. I discuss some of the myths around writing tools, clarity of ideas, and using writing prompts. Want help getting started? Head to this link!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 celebrating 100 episodes of The Written Compass. In the episode, I discuss what I have learned, what myself and my team are celebrating, and I share the amazing books we have published. Highlights on what I learned: do it before you are readyLet it be messyTrust yourself Stay the courseCelebrating the books and authors we have supported… 13 books published—name booksSupported over 40 authors in their writing journeyHosted 4 writing retreatsHosted our first book launch event and supported 4 others from our clientsWe have expanded our program offerings to everything from $27 offerings to $50kHundreds of readers impacted by these amazing authors and their books, speaking gigs, social sharing, workshops, book events, and more! What’s next: Deeper abundanceMore authors sharing their important words—goal of 100 books published by 2028 (when I turn 50!) Joy… I am committed to creating a multi-million dollar company that supports joy and helps other prospersHere all the books mentioned in the episode and links to support the authors by buying their books: Juliet Kuehnle Who You Callin' Crazy?: The Journey from Stigma to TherapyHannah Setzer I'll Pray for You: And Other Outrageous Things Said to Disabled PeopleMelissa Panara Life is Written in Pencil: Finding Your Best Life in Plans B through ZLaura Wieck The BodyMind Method: A 4-Part Framework for Embodied Entrepreneurs to Grow their Income and ImpactHalinka Prevett Vulnerably Authentic: A Journey to Being OkWendy Mersch Learning to ReceiveTonya Reid US HairwaysKaren Taylor Learning to Respect My StrutClaiming Coach: Navigating the Gap Between Completing Your Coach Training and Landing Your First Paid ClientCapturing the In-BetweenUnveiling the Secrets: An Encyclopedia by Women for Women (and those who love them)This is the Year You Write Your Book: A Year-Long Planning Guide to Support Your WritingLoving Yourself from the Inside Out: Healing Holistically from Physical & Emotional PainSee 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 10 powerful and inspiring writing prompts to get you out of your head and into your words! Some are my own, some are borrowed, all are going to support you in going from blank page to writing flow. I have them all written down, but I dive further into each in the podcast. Try one and see what shows up! “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” -Stephen King Write down everything you are scared of right now about the writing you are trying to do or just scared of in general. “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something -- anything -- down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft -- you just get it down.” Anne Lamont Shitty First Drafts What can you “just get down” today, right now? Close your eyes. Imagine a reader is enjoying every word you are about to write. They are delighted, giddy, and heart-filled because they are reading the very words they didn’t know they needed (and you didn’t even know you could write). Breathe that vision in, pick up your pen or pencil, open your document, and write those words. When was a moment you felt most alive, most present, most YOU. Capture that moment as though you are reliving it, give the play-by-play and the color commentary. Set a word count or time goal for your writing today… 500 words, 15 minutes… the number doesn’t matter. Make a decision and write until you hit the word count or the timer goes off! What questions have you been pondering lately? Write a list of all the questions and curiosities you have had lately. What songs are inspiring you lately or are your go-to songs for inspiration? Play that song while you write. Bonus: write down the lyrics and write about how each line impacts you. Find a poem or page from something you are reading or an intriguing social media post, read it out loud to yourself, then set a 10 minute timer and write whatever shows up. Meta-writing: write about everything you are thinking right now. YES, right now! Go back and “mine” that writing for anything that feels important to explore further. Knowing there is no right or wrong, what would you LOVE to write about right now? Who would you love to write for? What would you love to say (that maybe you never have before)? Write this just for 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.

I was talking to an amazing artist and writer recently. This woman had been working on her book for years. She was struggling with what so many aspiring writers do: overwhelm. We have such an unhealthy fascination with doing things on our own, stretching ourselves too thin, and wondering why the things we really value are not actually happening. In this episode, I unpack the sneaky ways overwhelm is killing your writing and publishing dreams. Here are the highlights: Time to reevaluate and reconnect with your valuesWorking against yourself and you work bestThinking you need to figure it out yourselfAs 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 was on a recent coaching call with a client and she was elbow-deep in some powerful, healing, and messy personal writing. But, she felt stuck in writing “the book.” This got me really curious about how we often compartmentalize the “messy” parts of our writing journey and process versus writing that is polished, ready for publication, and “forward facing” as my client called it. As we begin a new year, I reflect on 2023 in this episode to really explore the question: What if the MESS is the way forward… with your writing and publishing goals and life? I look forward to hearing your thoughts! 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 this episode, I share all the different ways myself and my team support people just like you on whatever their writing journey may be! Our mission: We envision a world where all voices are heard and all experiences are valued. We believe writing is a pathway to connecting with self and honoring our experiences. We encourage the sharing of our voices with the world because we believe it promotes community connections and collective healing. Through embodied writing experiences, Synergy Publishing Group guides and supports writers, scribblers, and storytellers on their unique journeys to leave a legacy with their words.Have a listen, see which ones might fit you, and click the link below to get started! 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 this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the amazing, direct, powerhouse that is Karen Taylor! Karen is one of our amazing authors who has participated in our two collaborative books at Synergy Publishing Group: Capturing the In-Between and Unveiling the Secrets. Her first solo author debut book, Learning to Respect My Strut, is due out just before the new year! In this episode, we discuss: It’s never too late to start your writing journeyPowerful self-talk will support the ups and downs of your writing processWhat everyone needs to know to just do the darn thing and write your book! Karen is an English instructor and Writing Center Coordinator at a local community college near her home in Western North Carolina. Karen’s writing explores how women can better understand their inherent power, experience their right to freedom, and find their own strut. She is a mother of three sons, one biological, the other two acquired, of which she is fiercely proud. She calls herself humorously inappropriate, and when not writing, she can be found loving on dogs and enjoying the beach. You can connect with Karen on Instagram @_karen_taylorAs 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 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.