BOOK CLUB

Rewriting is to writing what improvisation is to acting. Actors improvise scenes countless ways in search of the perfect choice of behavior and expression. The same is true for writers. — Robert McKee

I’m studying narrative drive for a series of Story Grid articles and podcast episodes. Narrative drive has to do with how much information a reader has in relation to the characters in a book. As writers, we want to blurt out our entire story in the first chapter, but that doesn’t work. It doesn’t ring true because in life, people withhold information. If you don’t believe me, observe the people

Yesterday, I recorded a podcast with Tim Grahl. It’s a new show, The Book Launch Show, and it’s all about book marketing. Our first episode will launch later this month. What struck me as interesting, is that we talked about focus. I can lock in and focus on a writing project because I’m interested in it. Marketing? Well, that’s more challenging. For Tim, it’s fascinating. That’s why he does it

When we want to focus, the obvious thing to do is get rid of external distractions; turn off our phones, disable our internet connections and so on. But when we sit down to write, our minds inevitably wander. A whole bunch of extraneous thoughts float into our heads that have nothing whatsoever to do with the books we’re trying to write. Errands we need to run, appointments we need to

Your Will is the intellectual factor that enables you to focus. Not willpower, but Will. People don’t usually take the time to develop it, but it can be developed. You can actually train yourself to be “in the zone” whenever you want. Neat, huh?

There’s long lists of productivity tools and tactics floating around, and the most effective one is free. You already have it. In fact, you were born with it. It’s your ability to focus.