This past week, Hope*Writer’s was one of the companies that offered some of their resources for free while we have been practicing social distancing. They gave everyone that signed up access to 15 of their Tuesday Teaching’s, which they said were handpicked by their community as the best of the best.
I’ve heard of Hope*Writer’s from their founder Emily P. Freeman, author of The Next Right Thing. It is a membership service described as “a community of working writers dedicated to the success and creativity of each member.” I’ve always been interested in it but don’t consider myself a serious enough writer to pay the $47 a month to join.
I learned quite a bit from the teachers this week and wanted to share with you some of my notes. I plan on creating some action steps and executing them here on the blog and in future endeavors.
Jo Saxton
I had never heard of Jo Saxton, but immediately after watching her teaching, I went right to her social media to follow her. Her leadership skills were evident in her speaking, and she was so down to earth. Here are a few of my favorite things from what she said.
Your passions arrive before the work does.
There is a colloboration even in the book you wrote yourself.
If you want to level up your leadership, you need to build your village (relational and professional).
You need two sets of people. People who give you roots that support and encourage and are a relational investment that gives you the courage to write. And people who give you wings who actually help you get things done and help you build the career.
When I was starting out, I had opportunities because other leaders got out of the way. Those smaller amounts were blessings in my beginnings.
Jeff Goins
Jeff Goins was another author I had not had the pleasure of knowing beforehand. What was interesting about his interview was that he is venturing into the ghostwriting arena, and he named some pretty big names who are ghostwriters as well, like Ryan Holiday. Some of my favorite advice from him was less about being a writer and more on how to be a mentee.
I end things so I can begin the next thing.
The best deadlines are honest deadlines.
Assume the future you is lazier than the current you and you will never be disappointed.
A question from Seth Godin that he uses, “Why can’t you just do it until it stops being fun?”
If you want to get into anything, you have got to fall in love with the word “yes”. Yes, I can do that and here’s how. And then find a way to make it work.
Any time you are meeting with someone who you preceive their time is more valuable than yours: 1. always take notes and 2. send an email immediately saying here is what I got out of the meeting. Then follow up once you have done it.
The only thing I know how to do reasonably well is not quit.
I’m free to succeed because I don’t need the success.
You cannot love something you are trying to control because control is about fear and fear and love does not go together.
Katherine Reay
Now Katherine Reay is someone I was familiar with. I read her book, The Printed Letter Bookshop. While I have no plans to be a traditional author in the sense of writing a book, I know if I ever do, it will most likely not be fiction, which is her genre. And while I didn’t get as much from her teaching as some of the others, it was interesting to see how she structures her week to get her writing done.
You cannot create and edit at the same time.
Get the words out as fast as you can on the paper without your editorial mind. Then go in and edit it.
Annie F. Downs
Annie F. Downs is one of the more prominent names (at least to me) that was one of the speakers. Her book, 100 Days to Brave, has been all over the place. Including my bookshelf even though I haven’t read it yet. She gave a lot of details on creative ways to get your books in people’s hands and how to start speaking. And while again, I don’t plan on being a book author or a speaker, it was great to learn the business behind her brand.
The actual thing you want to do forever is being you.
You need to have a thesis statement.
Every January make a yes or no list.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. (Psalm 16:6 CSB)
Not all callings are created equallly; not all personalities are the same. – Emily
Kelly Minter
Before this week, I knew that Kelly Minter was a Bible teacher, but I can’t remember where for the life of me I heard of her from. I am just going to assume social media right now because it doesn’t appear she was a speaker at the Enjoy God’s Word Bible Conference. The funny thing is, when I look at all the speakers and who I think I could closely relate to work-wise, it is Kelly. I love Bible reading and studying and could see myself one day doing a Bible Study. I may have been so wrapped up in what she was saying I didn’t take many notes. But she gave some pointers that I will share.
To get your insight, follow your questions and start digging. Look at the cross references before commentaries.
Look around at people who are already doing it well.
Be a student of Bible studies.
Use a pilot group to review your studies.
Michele Cushatt
Michele Cushatt is another author that I hadn’t heard of before her session. She wrote what appears to be a deeply personal memoir and touched on how to write about hard topics and when to share. This was especially important to me because my blog is personal, yet it is crucial to know what not to share with the world.
People don’t connect with perfection, they connect with pain
It’s always the right time to write; it’s not always the right time to share.
When trying to determine how much to share, ask yourself the following: What’s my objective? Who is my audience? How much time do I have? What parts of my story is necessary to my objective’s? Do I have permission to tell this?
Ashlyn Carter
YouTube introduced me to Ashlyn Carter a while ago but more so because of her planning and productivity videos. I knew she was a writer, but that isn’t the content I paid attention to. Man, oh man, did I waste my time. I learned the most information from Ashlyn’s session. So much so that it’s been hard to break it down to a couple of lines like the others. Ashlyn is a copywriter, and I realized that gave her a unique insight into the blogging world, social media captions, and newsletters. All things I would love to learn about and get better at. There was just so much information that I am hoping to put into practice right away. And I have immediately subscribed to her YouTube channel and can’t wait to binge-watch!
Use formula’s: Problem, Agitation, Solution
The word “YOU” can be so powerful.
Listen to what people want and then say it back to them.
Facts don’t care about your feelings.
Alright, I am going to end this post here cause it’s getting long! Stay tuned for the final post outlining the other speakers and teachers!
*All images from Hope*Writer’s website and emails.
