What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Plus how to choose a topic for your non-fiction book...
#faithoverfear #purposefulliving #nonfictionbooks #publishing #selfpublishing #writingcoach #bookcoach
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
I was listening to an incredible podcast episode with Jennie Allen and Jamie Winship (author of Living Fearless) and it brought me to tears.
Because there’s something I’m afraid of that’s been bubbling up again for me a lot lately: Fear of being rejected.
And the answer to that question, for me, is: What I’m doing right now. I love everything about what I’m doing right now—supporting authors on their book journey, as I walk (and sometimes run) my own.
What’s scary, though, is next level. Expansion. Serving more people in a deeper way. Leading. Walking the talk. Putting myself out there. Taking chances. And risking…a lot of rejection.
What Jamie shared, is what gave me strength today. Knowing that that fear—that’s not me. And not placing my identity in that.
Rather, leaning into what I feel called to do, which is help others. Through my coaching, and through the stories I choose to share. That’s me. The real me.
I hope you can see that for yourself too. You are not your fear. You are what’s on the other side of overcoming it. Your true self.
Now that walk—the line between faith and fear—is something I can’t do for you. But personally? I’m choosing faith. Courage. Fearlessness. Even if that means a side of rejection.
As the hoodie says, OWTFGFIA (Ohwhatthef***goforitanyway)
Cat Xo
PS: Of course, I can’t leave a message like this, without offering a writing tip or 2!
Q: How do I choose a topic for my non-fiction book?
I hosted a non-fiction book publishing workshop recently where people shared their struggles around the topic for their book and how to approach it (memoir or expert? Life story or business book?).
The first thing I do with my writers is get clear on what they want from their book.
Is it to build brand awareness?
Is it to attract speaking engagements?
Is it to build your business or practice?
Is it to create transformation in others?
Regardless of your answers, if we don’t ask these two questions:
What do you want?
What does your reader want?
Then we’re likely to fall short of the mark.
Everything that falls between the covers of your book should serve these two goals. And story is how you make those ideas accessible, relatable and tangible. (Malcolm Gladwell is brilliant at this.)
Admittedly, there may be some casualties along the way. In fiction, we call this “killing your darlings”—which means sacrificing the moments and parts of your book that don’t serve your through line (see the two questions above).
And for that, all I can say is, there’s always your next book.
PPS: If you want to workshop your book idea further, for just $10/month you can sign up for my membership where I walk you through my step-by-step book development process, which also includes a one-hour book development consultation with me. It’s also super fun.