Let's get clear about clarity! Clarity in writing is one of those ideas we take for granted - of course, good writing is "clear." But what does that mean? In this week's episode, Liz and Ariel chat with Mara Eller, writing teacher and editor, about how to achieve clarity in your writing. Mara teaches that clarity is about how you communicate your ideas with the reader - and so you have to start by clarifying those ideas. Connect with Mara on Instagram @mara.eller. Learn more about Mara's work and register for her new class, "The Soul and Science of Great Writing" here: https://www.maraeller.com/classes. Register for our May Map Your Book cohort now!
It's human nature to want to share our stories and seek connection after we've been through hard times. That's plenty reason to write your memoir! But sometimes memoir can stretch beyond even the bounds of our personal experiences to become a force for good in the world. That's what we see in Mark Daley's debut memoir, Safe, which is about his and his husband's journey through foster care. In this episode, we talk about the decisions Mark made to keep his family and his foster kids (and their families) safe, and how he's hoping this memoir will make a difference for all kids in foster care. Learn more about Mark on his website here and order Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family today! If you're interested in becoming a foster parent, you can learn more through Mark's organization, The Foster Parent. And if you're interested in joining the Hungry Authors Map Your Book cohort in May, learn more here.
Meg Geisewite's book, Intoxicating Lies, is one of our favorite examples of a "teaching memoir": a book that blends memoir with prescriptive nonfiction. It's a tricky balance to achieve, as we discuss in today's podcast - but Meg pulls it off beautifully! Moreover, when Meg started writing, she had little experience as a professional writer - she just had a story to tell. Pretty soon, however, she found that her story was an inspiration to others and it has led to a social media community, speaking at conferences, coaching others, and starting a new writing community for other women in similar circumstances. For Meg, a book was just the beginning! Read Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom From Gray-Area Drinking. Follow Meg on Instagram @intoxicatingliesbook. Join the Write Back to You Community. Also, register for the May Map Your Book cohort right here!
Writing a book is not for the faint of heart! Gala Jackson, career coach and author of Courage, Clarity, & Confidence (Wiley, 2024), knows that first-hand. She faced numerous challenges while writing her book, but she never let them deter her or blur her vision. She's modeling the message of her book - showing up for herself, her family, and her writing with courage, clarity, and confidence. Gala Jackson is passionate about helping women stand in the power of their femininity. As an accomplished, executive career and leadership development coach, she works with domestic and international women to redefine and take ownership of their success. She empowers women to discover and live in alignment with the strongest, boldest, most courageous version of themselves. She is the author of the book, Courage, Clarity, and Confidence: Redefine Success and the Way You Work which released in January 2024. Her expertise has appeared in the TED global series The Way We Work with more than 1.5 million views, a local TEDx series, and in globally recognized publications such as the New York Times, Marie Claire, Essence, Huffington Post, and Millie magazine. Gala holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a bachelor of fine arts degree in communication. She is a certified executive and leadership development coach, a certified career management coach, and a certified life coach. Join Gala’s NEW online career community for women: https://courage-clarity-confidence-community.mn.co Connect with Gala weekly on her blog: https://courageclarityconfidence.substack.com/ Visit Gala online: www.galajackson.com www.courageclarityconfidence.com. Sign up for the Hungry Authors Map Your Book cohort at mapyourbook.com.
What's it like to get a book deal with a Big 5 publisher? Lori Melton is a spiritual director and soon-to-be author with the largest publisher in the U.S. In this episode, we talk with Lori about her journey - but most importantly about the incredible idea that she pitched and which found a home in just the right place. Listen and you just might find yourself inspired to take a closer walk with one of your spiritual giants! Lori G Melton is a Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader with a life-long passion for walking with God and fostering opportunities for others to grow in their relationship with Him. She and her husband, Bryan, are the founders and directors of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek Retreat Center in Allegan, Michigan, the Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast, the proud parents of 5 sons and one daughter, and Nana and Papa to two adorable grands. Lori was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York (yes, one of the seven wonders of the world), played competitive badminton in high school (don’t laugh it is a sport), and is the other half of a twin sister combination. After dreaming about writing for 30 years while she raised her family, the door finally opened during the COVID crisis in 2020. In January of 2021, she began her first book, Journey with a Giant, Find Your Guide, Fulfill Your Purpose: A One-Year Adventure, and has been offered a contract with one of the top five publishers with a book release date of Fall 2025! Thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com.