The ebook version of my new book, Writing is Not That Hard, is now available for pre-order, but how did I get here? In today’s episode, I want to share some fun book marketing experimenting I have been doing. Here are some highlights…

• early sneak peaks
• activating your network
• direct messaging with love
• becoming a #1 best seller before book release

Exciting new affiliate offer: Hey ladies, ready to take control of your health, especially when "the change" comes? I'm excited to announce that The Written Compass has partnered with Dr. Heather Bartos to offer you a special invite to The Menopause Mothership (https://tinyurl.com/48jw6u72), a community of women being supported and guided through their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical journey! Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/mpscwaja (The Written Compass may receive an affiliate payment if you choose to sign up, so supporting yourself supports this podcast!)

Ready to join our community and the Unveiling the Secrets series? Head to shanahartman.com/authorsubmissions to submit your piece or idea!

Send me a message @theshana_v on IG or an email at shana@shanahartman.com to snag your spot at our next retreat!

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 theshana_v 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.

Did you know you have a writing style? Yes, you absolutely do. The trick is discovering what it is and really leaning in and owning that style! In today’s episode, I’m going to give you some support on how to discover your style and how to use it in all the writing you do! To get the most out of this episode, you’ll need:

• some writing you have done at some point (a social media post, email, letter, journal entry, blog, etc.)
• an open mind
• a belief that you are indeed a writer

Exciting new affiliate offer: Hey ladies, ready to take control of your health, especially when "the change" comes? I'm excited to announce that The Written Compass has partnered with Dr. Heather Bartos to offer you a special invite to The Menopause Mothership (https://tinyurl.com/48jw6u72), a community of women being supported and guided through their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical journey! Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/mpscwaja (The Written Compass may receive an affiliate payment if you choose to sign up, so supporting yourself supports this podcast!)

Ready to join our community and the Unveiling the Secrets series? Head to shanahartman.com/authorsubmissions to submit your piece or idea!

Send me a message @theshana_v on IG or an email at shana@shanahartman.com to snag your spot at our next retreat!

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 theshana_v 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.

Sometimes life is difficult. When you have writing goals, these difficult moments start to hinder your writing progress. What if you being stuck is actually a great time to use writing to support your personal struggles?

In today's episode of The Written Compass, I talk you through:

- why writing about your personal life is so powerful

- how writing can get you unstuck (even if just a little bit)

- my three favorite writing strategies to get unstuck

If you loved these tips and ideas and want more, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps. If you are ready to explore what a writing community can do for you and your writing goals, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps. If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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.

Writing is often viewed as a solo act, something we do on our own, because ultimately you are the one that gets the words down. However, we may not realize that all of our writing is influenced by others. So, how do we make the most of the influence: with a powerful writing community.

Today’s episode breaks down what makes a great writing community and how it is essential for you to go from idea to publish. Here are the highlights:

1. Inspiration and Motivation: when we write in community with others we naturally vibe off of other’s energy. We get excited to write. We get more ideas flowing.
2. Accountability: when I know someone is waiting for me to show up to a writing day or waiting for my next draft, I am more likely to show up and so are my words.
3. Affirmation: when we write on our own, we aren’t sure how our words are landing until we share them with others. It is so powerful to share a line from a draft and hear someone get excited and respond positively.
4. Gremlin killer: the negative voices that show up as we are writing can get loud. A writing community helps you realize the value of your words

If you are ready to explore what a writing community can do for you and your writing goals, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps. If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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 people love a good journal. Consequently, publishing a journal seems like an easy book and publishing asset. But, there is more to it than pretty pages made in Canva!

In today's episode of The Written Compass, I break down the tips and tricks for creating a quality journal. Highlights include:

- focusing on the user experience

- deciding whether you want to create a guided or open-style journal

- ideas about repetition, page design, and more!

If you are ready to see if publishing a journal is for you, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps.

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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've got a book. Now what? Can I really build a business from my book? The answer is YES!

I share 3 common models for building a business around your book:

• Focus--the book(s) and your writing is the focus of the biz
• Parallel--the book(s) coordinate and work together with your other business offerings
• Empire--the book(s) is a section or branch of the larger vision and aspects of your business

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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.

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/writingkickstart

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 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 down
• look for patterns and themes that might group your stories
• don’t worry about chronology or time
• capture feelings as well as what was happening

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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 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/0GIp0Lv

To connect with Cindy:

Email: cindy@cindyurbanski.com

Website: Cindyurbanski.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_d_urbanski

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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.

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 you
• Slow 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 not
• A “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/writingkickstart

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.

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 article
• What we really want when we seek order and structure
• When 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/writingkickstart

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.

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 light
• This fear is actually about you
• Your job is not to determine what others will say, how they will respond to your words, etc.
• The freedom of releasing these expectations

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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, my Synergy Publishing team joins me again to share their experience as both authors in and creators of the Unveiling the Secrets book series. Our chat focuses on:

- the power of having a writing community

- the uniqueness of receiving editorial, reader feedback with each submission

- the power and depth of the stories and writing shared

- the radical acceptance journey the authors experience

Ready to join our community and the Unveiling the Secrets series? Head to shanahartman.com/authorsubmissions to submit your piece or idea!

Send me a message @theshana_v on IG or an email at shana@shanahartman.com to snag your spot at our next retreat!

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 theshana_v 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 way
• Books are your best referral partners
• Provides clarity of thought and a tool for growth

If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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.

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 you

We also have a new exciting resource to share! https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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 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 ready
• Let it be messy
• Trust yourself
• Stay the course

Celebrating the books and authors we have supported…

• 13 books published—name books
• Supported over 40 authors in their writing journey
• Hosted 4 writing retreats
• Hosted our first book launch event and supported 4 others from our clients
• We have expanded our program offerings to everything from $27 offerings to $50k
• Hundreds of readers impacted by these amazing authors and their books, speaking gigs, social sharing, workshops, book events, and more!

What’s next:

• Deeper abundance
• More 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 prospers

Here 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 Therapy

Hannah Setzer I'll Pray for You: And Other Outrageous Things Said to Disabled People

Melissa Panara Life is Written in Pencil: Finding Your Best Life in Plans B through Z

Laura Wieck The BodyMind Method: A 4-Part Framework for Embodied Entrepreneurs to Grow their Income and Impact

Halinka Prevett Vulnerably Authentic: A Journey to Being Ok

Wendy Mersch Learning to Receive

Tonya Reid US Hairways

Karen Taylor Learning to Respect My Strut

Claiming Coach: Navigating the Gap Between Completing Your Coach Training and Landing Your First Paid Client

Capturing the In-Between

Unveiling 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 Writing

Loving Yourself from the Inside Out: Healing Holistically from Physical & Emotional Pain

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 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!

1. “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.
2. “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
3. What can you “just get down” today, right now?
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. What questions have you been pondering lately? Write a list of all the questions and curiosities you have had lately.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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:

1. Time to reevaluate and reconnect with your values
2. Working against yourself and you work best
3. Thinking you need to figure it out yourself

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 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 journey
• Powerful self-talk will support the ups and downs of your writing process
• What 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_taylor

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 am joined by my amazing team for Synergy Publishing Group! Each of our authors get customized and unique support, and today we are going to share the behind-the-scenes of what that looks like, why we love the work we do, and what to expect when working with us.

You'll meet:

Cindy Urbanski, PhD, lead writing coach, writing retreat nourisher and yoga teacher (follow on IG @cindy_d_urbanski)

Melisa Graham, publication goddess and graphic designer (follow on IG @1smelisa)

Taylor Edwards, virtual assistant and systems support (follow on IG @tayyyedwards)

Send me a message @theshana_v on IG or an email at shana@shanahartman.com to snag your spot at our next retreat!

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 theshana_v 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 highlights

• Work 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 work
• Redefining writing and how we write
• Exploring what’s possible when we draw blurry lines between working, writing, and living

I’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 process
• Exploring the meaning we are giving to the fear showing up
• Where the fear comes from
• What is really going on when we get scared and nervous about our writing
• How to work with and through the fear and keep 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.

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 book
• How to decide which is the aligned path for you

As 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 @thetonyareid

Get 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:

1. Your readers’ expectations based on the genre, your previous work, etc.
2. Your desires for your readers’ experience as they read your book
3. The cover and fulfilling the expectations it creates
4. The 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 @1smelisa

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.

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 book

2. What their experience was like to write in community with others

3. What they are taking away from their process

Also, 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 @1smelisa

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.

"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. Connection

2. Love

3. YOU

I 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 purpose

2. The topic

3. 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.

We have launched our Unveiling the Secrets book series… Book 2 is out later this year… in today's episode, I want to share an excerpt from the upcoming second book and how our writing retreats inspired it!

If you aren’t in a collective, I want to make sure you know about our fall retreat happening Sept 8-12 and you are invited

Here are the core components of our retreat

• Beautiful setting—lake, water, calm space, food is nourishing and covered
• Opportunities—we begin together, getting grounded, setting our intention (much like Melisa’s piece described)
• Time—to yourself, to each other, to write, to yoga, to walk, to float, to be
• Shift in perspective—always impressed at how much gets written (like books started, books finished) in such a short amount of time
• Your voice is encouraged—we get out of our head and into our embodied words to really find what wants to be said/shared

Send me a message @theshana_v on IG or an email at shana@shanahartman.com to snag your spot at our next retreat

Exciting new affiliate offer: Hey ladies, ready to take control of your health, especially when "the change" comes? I'm excited to announce that The Written Compass has partnered with Dr. Heather Bartos to offer you a special invite to The Menopause Mothership (https://heatherbartos.ac-page.com/menopause-mothership), a community of women being supported and guided through their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical journey! Check it out here (The Written Compass and Shana Hartman will receive an affiliate payment if you choose to sign up):

https://menopausemothership.drheatherbartos.com/checkout/menopause-mothership?affiliate_code=e0d3b3

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 theshana_v 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

- imperfection

I 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 setup

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.

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:

1. Be open and receptive
2. Intentionally put yourself in spaces that inspire you
3. Consistently plan

How 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 end
• Share questions
• Offer practical tips
• Write a letter to the reader
• Share a final "amen" story
• Offer next steps to work with you
• Model 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 Craft

In 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 them
• Use the “cutting room floor” file technique
• Know that your “darlings” are still useful and can be used for other writing needs

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 recently chatting with a friend who is in my Writing as Healing community, and they have been writing what I call bits and bobs of writing, short little bits of writing that we write while journaling or towards a project—book, blogs, social media, or just capturing our thoughts about work, life, experiences, etc.

They wondered: “What am I supposed to do with this?”

I am here to tell you if you have a lot of “random” writing, you may have a book waiting to be put together.

Here are some ways to “put a book together from this random writing”

1. Themes
2. Reread (make the familiar strange episode 40 for more)
3. Look for what the overall idea is in each of your bits and bobs (love, stress, family, coaching)
4. Start labeling (I like color coding)
5. Combine
6. Revisit your bits
7. Start to put together common themes or ideas that would go together well
8. Expand
9. After you have combined
10. Look at how much you have now
11. These can become chapters or sections
12. What else do you want to say/write?
13. What is missing? More stories, experiences, examples, etc.

Exciting new affiliate offer: Hey ladies, ready to take control of your health, especially when "the change" comes? I'm excited to announce that The Written Compass has partnered with Dr. Heather Bartos to offer you a special invite to The Menopause Mothership (https://heatherbartos.ac-page.com/menopause-mothership), a community of women being supported and guided through their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical journey! Check it out here (The Written Compass and Shana Hartman will receive an affiliate payment if you choose to sign up): https://menopausemothership.drheatherbartos.com/checkout/menopause-mothership?affiliate_code=e0d3b3If you loved these tips and ideas and want more, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps. If you are ready to explore what a writing community can do for you and your writing goals, head to shanahartman.com/schedule to get on our calendar and talk about next steps. If you want some help kicking things off, download my Embodied Book Writing Kickstarter: https://shanahartman.com/writingkickstart

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 theshana_v 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 talk to my 10 yr old about writing, and I asked him what he struggles with. His response?

“I get bored.”

I asked him to share more about that, and that led us into a fun little conversation that inspired today’s episode. He explained that he often starts off strong and even excited about what he is writing, but then can get bored quickly. This happens for lots of reasons, and I use today’s episode to talk about how you can work with yourself when you feel you are losing your writing mojo.

Here are some highlights:

• Take a break (this was my son’s #1 tip)
• Get moving
• Get inspired
• Read authors you love

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 you are working with a writing coach like me, sharing your book draft with beta readers, and/or just sharing some excerpts online, getting feedback on your writing is an essential part of your publishing process. In today's episode, I talk through what to do with the feedback after you receive it.

Here is an overview:

- Give yourself permission to embrace your initial response to the feedback

- Let it breathe

- Break down the feedback into manageable parts

- Decide which feedback you agree with and are going to act on/revise

- Create a plan for revision

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.

There is nothing worse than being on the writing struggle bus! Yet, when you embark on writing a book, it is almost guaranteed to happen. In today's episode, I share a few main causes I have experienced and see my clients' experience on our book writing journey.

Listen to the full episode to get the full explanation and solutions for these:

1. When/then thinking (ex. when I clean the kitchen, then I'll write)

2. Know it all first/Shoulding (ex. I should know all the aspects about what I want to write before I begin writing it)

3. Disconnected from your words (ex. trying to sound or write like someone you are not)

4. Writing for others (ex. being overly concerned with whether anyone will read or like your writing)

5. Constantly trying to write THE final draft of the book

Let me know which one of these resonates with you the most and which one are hoping to resolve.

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.

“Learning how to be a good reader is what makes you a writer.”

~ Zadie Smith

In today's episode, I break down how you can use your skills as a reader to inspire and support your writing.

The key ideas I share are paying attention to how the writers of the books you love to read:

- Take you on a journey (i.e. the structure and order/organization of things)

- Create a cadence and rhythm (i.e. sentence and paragraph structure)

- Share a powerful voice (i.e. word choice)

You can use your favorite books as models for how you want to write!

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.