20Jan

Write Like a Thought Leader: Why You Should Stop Outlining (and Do This First)

Most authors start every book the same way:

Open a document.

Write an outline.

Stare at it.

Then stall.

Outlining feels like progress — it’s structured, linear, and feels productive. But for thought leadership books, it’s often the wrong first step.

The most compelling chapters aren’t born from outlines.

They’re born from clarity of idea, not structure.

This post overturns the traditional “outline first” instruction and gives you a repeatable discovery framework that leads to stronger thinking and smoother writing. It’s about thinking on the page before you map the page.

We call this creating your "Author Brain," and what we discovered in when authors do this first, 90% of them go on to finish their book... on time.

Here's how you can do the same.

Who this is for

This is for you if you’ve ever:

  • stared at your table of contents like it’s a blank page
  • rewritten your outline more than your manuscript
  • felt unsure what your chapter is actually about
  • structured before you understood

The reason isn’t lack of skill. It’s lack of clarity before structure.

The Modern Author lesson

Clarity comes before structure.

Don’t outline what you think you want to say.

Write to discover what you actually need to say.

Outlining is a tool for people who already know what they mean.

Most authors don’t start there — they start with ideas that are hazy, half-formed, or contradictory.

So the first job isn’t outlining.

It’s thinking on the page — exploring your idea until it starts to reveal a natural shape.

The Problem with Outlining First

Outlines assume clarity that often doesn’t exist.

When you start with a table of contents, you’re implicitly saying:

  • “I already know the structure”
  • “I already know the key ideas”
  • “I can organize before thinking”

That rarely matches reality.

Outlining first usually leads to:

  • chapters that feel flat
  • ideas that looked good in headings but collapse in prose
  • endless re-outlining instead of writing

The real bottleneck isn’t lack of structure.

It’s lack of discovered thinking.

The Discovery-First Framework

This alternative sequence has one purpose:

Let your thinking create the structure, not the other way around.

Here’s how the strongest thought leaders actually work:

Step 1) Start with a claim — not an outline

Write one tentative sentence that you believe might be true.

Examples:

  • “The biggest mistake thought leaders make is outlining too soon.”
  • “Clarity comes from writing, not planning.”
  • “Ideas reveal themselves before structure ever does.”

This sentence isn’t your thesis. It’s your entry point.

Why this works:

A claim creates motion. An outline creates a cage.

Step 2) Write to explore the idea

Write 500–800 words with one rule:

Do not edit. Do not outline. Do not shape.

Your job is to:

  • describe what you think
  • test the idea against examples
  • explore contradictions
  • find where you keep returning

This phase is messy. That’s the point.

Why this works:

Structure hides uncertainty. Writing reveals it.

Step 3) Circle the energy

After the messy draft, highlight:

  • sentences that feel alive
  • moments where insight appeared
  • repetition of key patterns
  • parts that got easier to write

Ignore transitions, order, and logic for now.

You’re looking for signal, not polish.

Why this matters:

Energy precedes structure. The shape comes from what resonates.

Step 4) Extract your real structure

Now, and only now, outline.

But this outline isn’t hypothetical.

It’s based on what you already wrote.

Your chapters will naturally reveal:

  • a core tension
  • repeated themes
  • supporting ideas
  • a clear takeaway

Turn those into your table of contents.

Why this works:

You’re structuring discovered thinking, not guesswork.

Step 5) Rewrite with intent

Now rewrite cleanly.

Use:

  • sharper opening sentences
  • clearer throughlines
  • fewer but better developed ideas
  • a concrete takeaway at the end

This is where craftsmanship matters.

Why this works:

Structure amplifies clarity instead of attempting to force it.

How This Shows Up in Manuscripts Projects

Authors trapped in outline paralysis almost always have the same symptom:

They’re organizing ideas they haven’t yet formed.

In the Manuscripts workflow, we often see these patterns:

  • chapter headings get rewritten five times
  • opening paragraphs never arrive
  • writers switch chapters instead of finish them
  • drafts linger in half-thought limbo

When authors flip the sequence — discovery first, structure second — progress accelerates dramatically:

  • ideas become sharper faster
  • writing feels easier
  • chapters actually get finished

This is the difference between thinking about your book and thinking in your book.

For may authors, we recommend they leverage our Codex tool, which lets them upload blog posts, articles, their LinkedIn bio, papers, transcripts, etc., then use that to begin to organize.

We call this creating your "Author Brain," and its a powerful way to discover (with help), before you start writing.

Evidence It Works

Pattern Evidence

Across hundreds of nonfiction authors, the most successful chapters start as messy drafts, not polished outlines.

Writing Cortex Evidence

Writers produce clearer prose when they discover ideas in motion rather than impose structure first.

Outcome Evidence

Authors who follow discovery first:

  • draft faster
  • revise with confidence
  • finish more consistently

The structure becomes the echo of the idea — not its source.

When Outlining Still Works First

Outlining first works best when:

  • the argument is already fully formed
  • the ideas are stable and practiced
  • the author can say the chapters out loud before writing

This happens often in technical or procedural writing.

It’s rare in idea-driven, thought leadership books.

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Mistake: Writing the outline because it “feels productive.”

Fix: Write one messy draft to test the idea’s real shape.

Mistake: Editing while discovering.

Fix: Separate discovery (writing) from refinement (editing).

Mistake: Keeping everything you wrote.

Fix: Cut ruthlessly once clarity appears.

A Simple Template You Can Copy

  1. Claim: “I think this might be true…”
  2. Discovery Draft: 500–800 words, no editing
  3. Circle Energy: Highlight the parts that sing
  4. Extract Structure: Build an outline from resonance
  5. Rewrite: Clarity first, structure second

This is writing as thinking, not planning as thinking.

Quick FAQ

Should I outline before writing a book chapter?

Not usually. Start by exploring your idea in prose first, then create an outline from what actually worked.

Why does outlining first feel easier?

Because it feels organized. But that organization is often fictional — it hasn’t been tested by real writing yet.

How many words should my discovery draft be?

Aim for 500–800 words per idea cluster. More than that and you lose momentum. Less than that and you don’t explore deeply enough.

The Bottom Line

Outlines don’t create clarity.

Clarity creates outlines.

If you want thought leadership that thinks clearly on the page, you can’t start with structure. You have to write to discover — then let the structure emerge from what you’ve found.

Outlining is not obsolete.

It’s just premature when used as a first step.

→ Schedule Your Free Strategy Call

About the Author

Eric Koester is an award-winning entrepreneurship professor at Georgetown University, bestselling author, and founder of Manuscripts, the Modern Author OS used by more than 3,000 authors. His work has helped creators turn ideas into books, books into brands, and brands into scalable businesses.

About Manuscripts

Manuscripts is the leading full-service publishing partner for modern nonfiction authors. We help founders, executives, coaches, and experts turn their books into growth engines, through positioning, coaching, developmental editing, design, AI-enhanced writing tools, and strategic launch systems. Manuscripts authors have sold thousands of books, booked paid speaking gigs, landed media features, and generated millions in business from their IP.

Work With Us

If you’re writing a book you want to matter, let’s map out your Modern Author Plan.

👉 Schedule a Modern Author Strategy Session → https://write.manuscripts.com/maa-web

👉 Explore Manuscripts Publishing Services → https://manuscripts.com/publish-with-us/

👉 See Modern Author Success Stories → https://manuscripts.com/authors/

Modern Author Resources

  • How to Write a Book if You’re Busy
  • Modern Ghostwriting for Nonfiction Authors
  • AI Tools for Authors in 2026
  • How to Build an Audience Before You Write Your Book
  • The Evergreen Launch System for Modern Authors

Powered by Codex: The Modern Author Author Intelligence Tool

By Write Like A Thought Leader, Book Writing, Writing, , , , , Comments Off
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10Dec

How to Write Like a Thought Leader: The James Clear Principles Framework for Nonfiction Authors

Great Books Aren’t Written — They’re Structured

Most first-time authors start with the wrong question:

“How do I write a great chapter?”

The better question:

“How do I structure my ideas so readers understand, remember, and act on them?”

Thought leaders don’t win because they’re better writers.

They win because their ideas are delivered through a structure that makes those ideas unavoidable.

And James Clear’s Atomic Habits provides one of the cleanest, most repeatable structures modern authors can steal.

At Manuscripts, we’ve studied more than 2,500 nonfiction books inside the Modern Author OS. Across industries, voices, and genres, one pattern keeps showing up:

Readers trust frameworks more than opinions.

Readers remember stories more than arguments.

Readers act when structure makes action simple.

James Clear mastered that blend.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Clear’s “Principles Framework” to build chapters that feel polished, persuasive, and inevitable — even if you’re busy, overwhelmed, or unsure how to organize your ideas.

This is the approach we use inside the Modern Author Accelerator and Codex AI to help authors transform scattered expertise into clean, compelling chapters.

Why Readers Trust Principles More Than Advice

Most books fail because they tell people what to do instead of showing how the world works.

Advice feels personal.

Principles feel universal.

James Clear built his book around principles like:

  • Identity drives habits
  • Environment shapes behavior
  • Small improvements compound

These aren’t tips.

These are truths.

A principle is a timeless rule about how something works.

When a reader recognizes it, you get instant credibility.

Why Principles Work So Well in Modern Thought Leadership

They:

  • Create shared language
  • Anchor your frameworks
  • Make your ideas portable
  • Encourage word-of-mouth (“She teaches the principle of X…”)
  • Position you as a category thinker, not an advice-giver

If you want to write like a thought leader, your chapters must translate your expertise into principles — then prove them with stories, data, and frameworks.

The James Clear Chapter Structure (Reverse Engineered)

We broke down Clear’s chapters across Atomic Habits and found a repeatable flow:

THE CLEAR PRINCIPLES CHAPTER MODEL

  1. Start With a Story A vivid, often surprising story that represents the principle in action.
  2. State the Principle A clear, memorable truth about how the world works.
  3. Explain the Principle Why does this principle matter? What makes it universal?
  4. Demonstrate the Principle Real-world examples, research, case studies, or analogies.
  5. Introduce a Framework A simple, visualizable system or model that operationalizes the principle.
  6. Apply the Framework Show readers what to do and how to do it.
  7. End With a Memorable Line or Punchline A repeatable idea that readers can’t forget.

This structure is extremely friendly for:

  • Busy authors
  • Business leaders
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Creators
  • Anyone trying to turn expertise into IP

It reduces blank-page stress and gives your reader cognitive grip.

Build Your Chapter Around One Core Principle

Every great chapter answers one question:

“What is the single principle this chapter proves?”

If your chapter has three ideas, it’s confusing.

If it has one idea, it’s powerful.

Your principle must be:

  • True (backed by research or lived experience)
  • Simple (plain language)
  • Useful (changes behavior or perspective)
  • Memorable (easy to teach)

Examples:

  • “People don’t rise to the level of their goals. They fall to the level of their systems.”
  • “Clarity creates courage.”
  • “Positioning is what you own in the mind, not what you say in the pitch.”

Inside Codex, this is where we extract:

  • Repeated beliefs
  • Thematic patterns
  • Contrasts
  • Identity statements
  • Core insights

And then synthesize them into a clean principle.

Start With a Story (Your Anchor)

Clear opens nearly every chapter with a surprising or emotional story.

Why?

Because stories create cognitive hooks.

The story makes the principle stick.

Your story must do at least one of these:

  • Illustrate the principle in action
  • Represent a transformation
  • Set up the problem the reader is facing
  • Create tension or curiosity
  • Build trust through vulnerability

Examples from Clear:

  • The British cycling team transformation
  • The Japanese train station cleaning ritual
  • The Seinfeld chain method

Stories = stickiness.

Principles = clarity.

Frameworks = action.

That combination creates bestseller energy.

Demonstrate the Principle With Multiple Angles

James Clear doesn’t just state a principle and move on.

He proves it three ways:

1. Research or data

Gives credibility.

2. Examples or case studies

Makes it relatable.

3. Metaphors or analogies

Makes it memorable.

When we work with authors, we call this the Evidence Bundle.

One principle → three types of proof.

This is where the Manuscripts methodology shines:

we teach authors how to gather stories, turn them into data, and feed them into Codex so that each chapter writes itself.

Turn Your Principle Into a Framework

This is where most first-time authors fall short.

They give great stories.

They explain great ideas.

They forget to give readers a system.

James Clear always does.

He turns principles into:

  • 4 Laws
  • Systems
  • Rules
  • Models
  • Step-by-step processes

A framework moves readers from “I understand” to “I can use this.”

For your book:

  • Give every chapter one framework
  • Make it visual
  • Use 3–5 steps (cognitively optimal)
  • Tie each step back to the principle

This is also how you turn your book into:

  • A keynote talk
  • A workshop
  • A course
  • A coaching program
  • An enterprise training system

Frameworks = monetization.

Close With a Punchline or Insight They Can’t Forget

Clear ends each chapter with a sharp, memorable line.

These lines often end up:

  • Quoted
  • Shared
  • Highlighted
  • Used in talks
  • Referenced in articles

Examples:

  • “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
  • “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

Your closing line should be:

  • Short
  • True
  • Repeatable
  • Aligned with the principle

This becomes your intellectual signature.

Your Chapter Template (Manuscripts Version)

Here’s the Manuscripts + James Clear hybrid chapter template:

CHAPTER TITLE (Benefit + Insight)

1. Opening Story

One vivid, emotional story that sets up the idea.

2. State the Core Principle

One sentence.

3. Explain the Principle

Why it matters. Why it’s universal.

4. Demonstrate the Principle

  • Research
  • Case studies
  • Examples
  • Metaphors

5. Introduce the Framework

3–5 steps.

6. Apply the Framework

Practical, step-by-step implementation.

7. Close With a Punchline

One memorable, tweet-length idea.

Feed this to Codex and you’ll get a chapter preview in 20 seconds.

Why This Structure Works for Busy Authors

If you’re a busy modern author, you need structure that creates speed.

This model gives you:

  • A predictable chapter flow
  • A way to write in 60–90 minute bursts
  • A framework that turns scattered notes into clear structure
  • A repeatable process you can use 10–12 times
  • A blueprint for repurposing every chapter into content

This is why our Accelerator authors can write high-quality drafts in 8–14 weeks even with full-time jobs.

How Codex Accelerates This Entire Process

Codex turns the James Clear method into an automated outline generator.

Upload a transcript, notes, or a research dump and Codex will:

  • Extract potential principles
  • Map your stories to principles
  • Identify gaps
  • Cluster examples
  • Propose 3–5 frameworks
  • Generate chapter outlines
  • Rewrite principles in cleaner language
  • Produce chapter summaries, headlines, and social posts

This takes authors from overwhelm to momentum fast.

Bringing It All Together

Writing like a thought leader is not about being a genius.

It’s about having a structure that elevates your ideas.

James Clear gave modern authors one of the most effective chapter models in nonfiction.

Use it.

Adapt it.

Make it your own.

This framework, combined with Codex and the Modern Author OS, gives you everything you need to write chapters that are clear, persuasive, memorable, and actionable.

If you want to write like a thought leader, build chapters around principles.

Principles build books.

Books build opportunities.

Opportunities build a platform.

Call to Action

If you want help using the James Clear Principles Framework to write your book, schedule a free strategy call with Manuscripts.

We’ll help you:

  • Identify your core principles
  • Build your frameworks
  • Structure your chapters
  • Use Codex to accelerate your draft
  • Build your platform while writing
  • Turn your book into speaking, clients, and business growth

→ Schedule Your Free Strategy Call

About the Author

Eric Koester is an award-winning entrepreneurship professor at Georgetown University, bestselling author, and founder of Manuscripts, the Modern Author OS used by more than 3,000 authors. His work has helped creators turn ideas into books, books into brands, and brands into scalable businesses.

About Manuscripts

Manuscripts is the leading full-service publishing partner for modern nonfiction authors. We help founders, executives, coaches, and experts turn their books into growth engines, through positioning, coaching, developmental editing, design, AI-enhanced writing tools, and strategic launch systems. Manuscripts authors have sold thousands of books, booked paid speaking gigs, landed media features, and generated millions in business from their IP.

Work With Us

If you’re writing a book you want to matter, let’s map out your Modern Author Plan.

👉 Schedule a Modern Author Strategy Session → https://write.manuscripts.com/maa-web

👉 Explore Manuscripts Publishing Services → https://manuscripts.com/publish-with-us/

👉 See Modern Author Success Stories → https://manuscripts.com/authors/

Modern Author Resources

  • How to Write a Book if You’re Busy
  • Modern Ghostwriting for Nonfiction Authors
  • AI Tools for Authors in 2026
  • How to Build an Audience Before You Write Your Book
  • The Evergreen Launch System for Modern Authors

Powered by Codex: The Modern Author AI Tool

By Writing, Success Stories, Write Like A Thought Leader, , , , , , , , , Comments Off
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13Jul

How to Write and Launch a Book in 2025 (Without Feeling Afraid)

Writing a book seems scary. And this fear triggers 4 major mistakes. How to write and launch a book in 2025 (without feeling afraid)?

The 4 most common mistakes:

  1. Writing alone
  2. Forcing a structure
  3. Unique knowledge points
  4. Focusing on the Big Numbers
Let’s break them down:

1) Writing Alone

The first thing I’ll tell you: Most people think writing a book is an individual endeavor. It’s not. The reality? When you talk to the most successful authors, they all start by talking about other people.
  • How they worked with a group.
  • How they collaborated
  • How they had a ton of help
And this is what I always tell people: Writing is NOT something you do alone. You do the typing yourself, yes. But you DON’T write a book as an individual. No… It’s a collaborative effort.

2) Forcing a Structure.

This is a big one for most people. They think they need: • a table of contents • perfect structure • rigid outlines All this stuff, before they ever start. But I would flip that around. Analogy:
“You start this process with a compass, not a map”
And when I had the chance to interview Daniel Pink (who also happens to be my neighbor), he shared something interesting: He starts with 2 things: 1. A notepad 2. A list of questions And then he thinks about who he can talk to about those questions. As I said earlier… Books are not to be written alone!

3. Unique Knowledge Points

This is for my non-fiction writers. I studied 150+ best sellers and found this: Stories account for 80% of their written content. NOT unique knowledge points. So if you want to write an exceptional book: - Identify - Teach - Tell All through storytelling It’s the proven formula for success.

4. Focusing on Big # ’s

People often worry:
“Is my book going to sell 1,000,000 copies?”
And that’s not the best mindset. Here’s why: Books are sold via word of mouth. You want to find your first 200 fans and friends, and have them help spread the word. It happens in phases. And that’s a good thing ( I promise ).

The 4 major mistakes authors make:

1. Writing Alone 2. Forcing a structure 3. Unique Knowledge Points 4. Focusing on Big Numbers So let's break this cycle and utilize a community-driven approach for your next book project.
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29Jun

5 Tips to Find Your Writing Focus

Writing can be a painstaking process. And after launching 2,000+ authors and books of my own...

5 tips to find your writing focus:

With steadfast focus, you're unstoppable.

Steal my 5 tips:

1. The beautiful art of freewriting 2. Always write in small chunks 3. Find yourself a writing rival 4. Find stress-free activities 5. Discover a community Eggcellent, let's crack the shell. Shall we?

1) The Beautiful Art of Freewriting.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and write whatever comes to mind. Transfer all your: - Musings - Emotions - Negativity Onto the paper, or through the keyboard.

2) Always Write in Small Chunks.

This is a PSA for my modern authors... You don't have to: - Write 10,000 words at once - Put off your obligations - Pull all-nighters Try to write in smaller chunks, but do it more frequently.

3) Find Yourself a Writing Rival.

You guys have heard me say this before: "Writing is NOT something you do alone." Find a fellow author, then: - Challenge each other - Set some nice goals - Utilize rewards

4) Find Stress-Free Activities.

You have SO many options: - Walk - Do yoga - Lift weights - Listen to music Find something to relax your mind.

5) Discover a Community.

With a group of like-minded individuals, you increase the likelihood of (actually) sitting down to write. Not only that but: - Accomplishing your goals - Improving your craft - Fulfilling dreams That's what we're after, isn't it? Folks, this chapter has come to a close. What's your secret to find your writing focus?
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06Jun

How Compassionate Rigor Changes Our Work Ethic

"I'm not ready yet." These are two words you need to be ready for anything new. Compassionate Rigor. Our fears lie to us: "I don't have the time." "I don't have the right idea." "I don't have the money to do that." You don't need to be "ready." You need Compassionate Rigor: "I will set milestones, checkpoints, and reviews, not goals." "I will set aside money every week to invest in myself." "I will join others to share our journeys." "I will set aside make the time." Stop beating yourself up for what you don't have. Young author with compassionate rigor Compassionate rigor is a commitment to yourself, to milestones, to objectives, to learnings, and to time... -- Rigor in your commitment, your investment, and seeking accountability. -- Compassion in your timelines, deadlines, iterations, coaching, and support. You not going to be ready... you'll get ready by doing things with compassionate rigor. Demand this in yourself and with everyone you involve in your journey.

Here's the good part: We launch authors, not books.

If being 'not ready' has held you back from writing your book... let's schedule a call and talk through how to leverage the power of Compassionate Rigor this summer with our next author community. You'll learn:
  • How to develop the book into workshops, keynotes, coaching, and more
  • How to use category design to make your book unique and create word of mouth
  • Why we don't write books, but build books
  • How to leverage the power of fans to market your book

JOIN OUR

MODERN AUTHOR ACCELERATOR PROGRAM Apply by July 1st.

See how the power of weekly coaching and a community of peer authors can help you develop and announce your book in the next 6 months -- all through the power of Compassionate Rigor.
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01Jun

Making Time to Write: 4 Steps For Busy Professionals to Create Books that Elevate Their Voices

"When do you find time to write?" You don't find time... you *make* time.

4 steps I teach busy professionals to make time to create books that elevate their voices

The people who most need and want to write a book tend to be the people who have the busiest schedules -- executive coaches, business owners, consultants, and C-suite executives. They know a book will be powerful -- most have tried in the past -- but often it's time that gets in the way.
  1. Trying a book in the past and it not working isn't signal you're not motivated. Trust me, if that were the case I'd be the poster child. It's usually a signal that you don't have a system.
  2. Writing a book is *not* like what you see in the movies. You don't go off to a cabin and spend six months at a typewriter... eventually emerging as a shell of yourself but with a manuscript. You don't write a book, you build a book. And that's the key mindset.
  3. You don't find time to write a book. You make it. Funny enough, we ran a test in our community about people who were going to use a "summer off" to write... that group who had more downtime were *less* likely to finish their manuscript on schedule. It's not about having oodles of free time. It's about having dedicated time.
  4. Making time requires two things: (a) your calendar; and (b) accountability to others. For most authors, I recommend 4-6 hours a week of calendared time... but the key is to share that calendaring with others. Could be your spouse, your business partner, your editor, or a writing friend. Has to be on your calendar and shared.
It's simple, and that's why it works.
"I'm proof that your 4 steps work. After 15 months, a retired “bean counter” is a proud published author of a 5-star book, called Checkmate!? - Greg Davis, Author of "CHECKMATE"
  Most authors struggle not because they don't have a great book idea or the motivation... they struggle without a process and system to make time. Do that, and I've seen 2,000+ people succeed in their books. It's the only way I've been able to do it too... Modern Author Accelerator Testimonial I'm starting my next book this summer as a part of the Modern Author Accelerator powered by Manuscripts. Why now? My summers are some of my busiest times -- I teach two MBA courses, I have a new cohort of authors, and I have four workshops/mini-courses -- plus I've got three hilarious girls to run around with to camps and summer fun. But I'm going to finish a draft manuscript and announce this new book in November. How? I am making time: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:15 to 10:00 am ET are my writing time. Some days I miss, but most days I hold myself accountable (plus, I have shared this plan with my editor, my wife, and my fellow authors). That's part of the #NeverWriteAlone philosophy. And that's how I'll write a mediocre first draft that becomes an amazing book. If you're looking for a little summer accountability, shoot me a note, and love to have you join our summer group -- we're all announcing our books this November and then the fun begins. Ready to make time for something important?

Apply for Summer Modern Author Accelerator Program

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30May

From a Book to the Stage: Four Strategies Authors Can Leverage to Get Booked for More Speaking Gigs

If you want to get paid to speak, you need social proof. I’ve tested four strategies. 

Why Does Public Speaking Matter (Especially Today)?

We consume a lot of content today.  Some content is for entertainment, but much of what people consume is to help us learn, improve, or grow.   If you want to cut through that noise, you need to capture attention. And one of the best ways to capture attention is to stand in front of an audience and speak directly to them.  You may have the greatest shot in those few moments to truly stand out. If you're a coach, consultant, business owner, or thought leader, you need attention for more clients, customers, and business opportunities.  Personally, speaking has created some of my warmest relationships and can be quite profitable.  I've spoken in some amazing places -- the White House, UN, Google, Microsoft, GE, baseball stadiums, etc. -- and some funky places like bars, basement offices, and high schools.  Quite a few have been on Zoom too... which can be great too.  At the end of the day, regardless of the venue, it's a business strategy, and I look at it as marketing.  It's led to clients, customers, and more paid speaking. It’s high-value attention.   But it's hard to break into the game... people often ask me about speaker bureaus or consultants.  Frankly, to break in... you'll have to do it yourself (then maybe those can help).  You need a social proof strategy.

It’s Not What You Say, But What the Audience Will Hear

One of the biggest fallacies about public speaking is you just need to have a great speech.  I spoke to one of the individuals responsible for booking talent for TED and TEDx talks, and what he told me surprised me:
“We want ideas that spread, not just inspiring stories.  We’re not in the business of promoting anecdotes.”
You need social proof:
  • Social proof of your idea isn’t just an inspiring anecdote
  • Social proof that your idea can move an audience
  • Social proof that your idea is new and forward-looking
  • And you can be strategic in creating it and leveraging it.
Modern Author Accelerator Program

Social Proof is Not One thing; It’s Multiple Things That Build on One Another

Social proof isn’t a single thing – it’s not your published book, it’s not your TEDx talk, it’s not your article, and it’s not one testimonial.  Social proof is the story you tell (or show) about why an audience would be moved by what you have to say, share, and teach. How you tell (and show) that story is the key to getting you booked for more speaking opportunities.   These four things- usually in combination- prove you're worth booking.

Here are the four strategies I've seen work:

  1. Thought Leadership. This is the most important -- do you have an 'unconventional' insight backed up by evidence (your research, interviews, data)?  Things that demonstrate thought leadership are a book or upcoming book, a research-driven article in a publication like HBR or Forbes, a TEDx talk, or a badass interview (usually on a stage). Without this nailed, it's an uphill battle.
  1. Testimonials and reviews.  This isn't about the 'fame' of the person but the relevancy to the audience. More variety you can customize the better.
  1. Social Media Engagement. Do you think your posts create conversations?  Will your talk spark similar conversations IRL?
  1. Past speaking engagements. I put this last because people overrate a 'speaker reel'... it helps (of course). Yes, it helps, but today having 1-3 with some podcast interviews, YouTube videos, etc., can be more powerful.

Design Your Strategy to Improve Each Dimension of Social Proof.

It’s a journey – not a destination.  I look at my own growth as a speaker over the past few years and realize some of today’s opportunities wouldn’t have been possible two or three years ago.   Could you design a strategy for your social proof?  Most of today's best thought leader speakers create social proof by being
  • (a) unconventional (but evidence-backed);
  • (b) relevant;
  • (c) engaging; and
  • (d) compelling. 
  Remember... you're not competing with established thought leaders for speaking slots... your goal is to position yourself as the next thought leader. How? One of my favorite ways to strategize on this is to figure out how to be a "poor man's" _____.    Sure, you're not Brene Brown, Simon Sinek, or David Goggins (yet)... but use 1-4 above to help showcase where you could offer something those more prominent names don't.  Consider creating a grid and scoring some of the names you aspire to be like – then score yourself (but be kind).  What are the areas you can improve in… as you get more evidence and proof points, update your score. Review yourself as a speaker on those four dimensions -- and update as you grow. 
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06Mar

Why Category-Defining Books Start With a Question (Hint: You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Before You Write a Book)

“Why would anyone listen to me?” “I don’t know enough about the topic.” “Do you think I need to get a Ph.D. first?”
Expertise. It’s a common misconception about writing a great book. So the thinking goes, you become an expert and then just tell people how. But the reality is quite the opposite.   I asked author Dan Pink about the origins of his recent book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, and his answer surprised me. “That book had its genesis in this office. In an attempt to answer how I should approach my work.” A question he wanted to answer for himself. I asked Arianna Huffington why she wrote Thrive: Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder. “I collapsed from exhaustion and burnout in 2007, and started studying the whole phenomenon of burnout, covering a lot of it in the Huffington Post that I was running at the time. And then I started wanting to write about it. So, that's how Thrive came about it. It was really my new passion.” A question she wanted to answer for herself. Even my recent book Super Mentors began with a question: “Why wasn’t I a very effective mentor?” And the resulting work and book taught me something compelling that I shared with others through the book. This a question I wanted to answer for myself. None of us were experts, but we became experts by writing these books. Great books begin with a question.  But how do you find yours? * * * First, some wrong questions often clog the potential book writer’s mind:
  • Is it unique?
  • Will it sell?
  • Can I finish?
Those are different from the kinds of questions to fixate on. Sure, they are concerns, but truthfully they are much less relevant when you have a driving question.

Find Your Driving Question

Great books are based on a type of question I call your driving question  Driving questions are deeply personal, cross-cutting to numerous aspects of your life, and they nag at you often through an emotional thread.   It’s something that bugs you.  
  • Why can’t I . . . 
  • How come I . . . 
  • What’s stopping me from . . .
  • Why don’t we . . .
  • How come they won’t . . .
For Dan Pink, it was when he should be working to maximize his happiness, health, and success. For Arianna, it was how she should take care of herself to maximize her long-term well-being. For me, it was how to make a difference with others when I tried to help.   The way I summarize this is to ask yourself: What annoys you – and no matter what you’ve read, watched, heard, or done just doesn’t seem to fix it for you? That is a driving question.   What’s vital about driving questions is that conventional wisdom – what most people think or believe – is just unsatisfactory to you.   Sure, there may be answers from experts, research, and other places. But it’s unsatisfactory for you. You’re annoyed that you can’t find something that works or is satisfying for you.   Congratulations. You’ve got your driving question.

Is It Worth Finding Answers to Your Driving Question

Finding a question is relatively easy. Finding a driving question is more challenging. But the real trick is deciding something different: Is it worth finding answers to your driving question? Most likely, answers exist to this question. Books have been written. Podcast interviews are out there. Blog posts are plentiful.   Don’t expect to be the only one thinking about your driving question. Driving questions likely drive others too. That’s a good sign people are trying to answer it. But you’re on the right track if you find the answers unsatisfactory, incomplete, or too general. Remember, Dan wasn’t the first person or only person to write about the power of timing, luck, time management, or similar themes. There were dozens and dozens of books on wellness, sleep, purpose, etc., before Arianna wrote her book. And mentorship is one of the most covered subjects on the planet.   But none of them were satisfying, complete, or specific to us. Something was missing.   Remember, driving questions are deeply personal, and that’s part of what makes books special and unique:
  • Dan Pink was a modern, independent worker. As an author, he doesn’t punch a clock. Many books about time management or understanding timing were built when we didn’t control our schedules. He needed a unique and updated view for people like him. 
  • Arianna wasn’t a scientist, but she’d risen to fame and simply couldn’t go off in the wilderness and meditate to find her wellness. She needed to examine it for busy and ambitious professionals who wanted more. 
  • I was exploring modern mentorship in the digital era where the internet had changed access to advice and information. Nothing I’d read offered that modern look. 
But how will you know if it is worth finding answers to your driving question? I suggest you answer two questions:
  1. Is it something I’m willing to spend the next year going deeper into for myself?
  2. Is it something I’m willing to teach to others like me?
If your answer is yes to both questions, then you have checked a very important box in the book process:  This is a driving question worth finding answers to.

Where to Find Help Answering Your Driving Question

This is where many aspiring authors get stuck – answering your driving question isn’t easy or straightforward.   The answers will be nonlinear, more like a treasure hunt than a path.   And this is where the process is critical: You don’t look for an answer. You look for people who can contribute to your answer. This is critical – you should assume there is no answer. Dan Pink shared that he took a yellow notepad and began creating a list of people he wanted to learn from or talk to to answer his question.   Assume every expert will offer you something helpful, but it’ll be unsatisfactory, incomplete, or too general. There is no one magic TED Talk, book, or framework that answers your driving question. But they will have helpful contributions. What is a contribution? According to our good friend Webster (the dictionary), it’s when you give (something) to help achieve or provide something. For an aspiring author, the “something” here differs from what people usually expect from hunting for answers. Hunt for stories. I recently wrote a longer post about the hunt for stories called "Master Story Gathering: Four Steps to Research Story Ideas for Any Nonfiction Book". Especially early in your journey, you’re looking for contributions through the stories of others.  

Share Answers to Your Driving Question

Early in your writing journey, keep your writing short – usually, 50-250 word snippets that summarize the story from a podcast, an experience in your own life, a TED Talk, an interview you did, or just something random you thought of.  These smaller answers – contributions – are what will guide you toward answers that are:
  • More satisfactory
  • More complete
  • More specific
Remember, your book isn’t the only answer out there…  I can't guarantee that reading one book will change your life. But I can guarantee that writing one will. Through that process, you’ll answer your driving question,  and have something to share and teach others who also feel like you. * * * Most of the best books I’ve read didn’t start from a place of expertise; they started from a place of curiosity. Find your driving question and commit to answering it yourself and sharing it with others through a book. So, what’s your driving question?
Eric Koester is the founder Manuscripts, LLC, a b-corporation whose mission is to inspire, teach and support tomorrow’s creators — authors, podcasters, speakers, entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and course builders. Through his work he’s coached nearly 1,000 first-time creators. He is also a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Georgetown University and the school’s only two-time entrepreneurship professor of the year, faculty at Growth University, and the executive director of the Intrapreneur Institute, which researches, trains and develops future innovation leaders.
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20Feb

Righting My Writing: What It’s Like to Work With a Developmental Editor

We believe writing a book is a solitary activity. But you can't make it solitary if you want to finish writing your book. I learned the hard way I had to Stop Writing Alone.
2022 was a very different year for me as an author. I published two books. Both books sold thousands of copies in their first year. Both books have won multiple awards. Why was 2022 such a great year for me as a writer? Two years prior, I began working with a developmental editor – a book writing coach. And if there’s a single thing that impacted my writing, it was that. I’m not unusual – I’ve interviewed and spoken to several hundred professional and successful published authors writing nonfiction, memoirs, novels, and essays. 70-80% of them shared they worked with a developmental editor or writing coach during their book development. And yet it surprises me that most first-time authors don’t. I thought I’d share my experience working with my developmental editor, Michael Bailey on my latest books: Pennymores 2 and 3 (I’m writing them both concurrently). I’ll share a bit about what held me back from working with a developmental editor on my first two books, then will talk about how Michael and I collaborate.

My Fear of Feedback as a Writer

I published my first book in 2009 and my second in early 2011. Honestly, I was terrified I’d written terrible first drafts when I shipped them to my acquiring editor. I was late on submitting them – five months late on each, actually – and was politely told if I didn’t submit them, I’d likely lose my opportunity to publish. I had what I’ve come to learn is a very ‘traditional’ view of book writing.
  • A writer writes until they finish a good draft.
  • An acquiring editor at a publisher gives you a ‘Roman-style’ thumbs up or thumbs down.
  • Revisions happen.
  • Publish.
This belief system holds lots of writers back from seeking or receiving feedback. And for many of us, we never actually produce something we think is ‘good enough’ to even submit to that terrifying acquiring editor.

You Want a Coach, Not Just Editing

Many first-time authors don’t work with a developmental editor because they believe editors simply edit what you’ve written. And unless you’ve written a lot or the entire thing, there’s nothing for them to do. It turns out that’s not what developmental editors do. Developmental editing is a different category, more focused on the structural components of the book rather than the prose. The analogy is building your dream home. The developmental editor is the architect who helps you design your house. Everything from the number of bedrooms to your kitchen layout to maximize the light. We think about other editors who help us with the prose, writing, copy editing, and proofing. They’ll help make the home feel right. Both are critical to having a home you’ll love, but you don’t do interior design until you’ve got the designs done, the foundation poured, and you are confident you don’t need to add a sun room. Great developmental editors coach. According to the ICF, 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. 86% of companies report that they recouped their investment on coaching and more. That’s why I tell people Michael is my writing coach, and our working relationship is built very differently than I imagined:
  • We do a weekly call. We talk strategy, we work through ideas together, we talk about my writing time, and he coaches me when I’m struggling.
  • I share first drafts, and I share them as I write them. Usually, I’m sharing chunks that are 500-1,500 – so it’s not something that needs to be ‘complete’ or ‘done’. Michael reads what I write each week, and offers feedback on it as it’s written. But he also tells me not to make the changes – just read them and use that feedback to improve.
  • He doesn’t fix my grammar. Michael reads everything I write, but his comments are on strategic questions from structure, pacing, flow, and consistency. He doesn’t worry about my grammar or writing since that will all be part of revisions.
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Michael isn’t editing or fixing my writing; he’s helping me realize my potential as an author.

The Psychological Benefits of Working With a Developmental Editor

I realize now that my first two books were written from a near-paranoid state. I didn’t share drafts with anyone, I didn’t tell many people I was writing them, and I spent a lot of time worrying about my grammar. I realize now it was a pretty lonely process. Working with a developmental editor provides me with a wide range of psychological benefits, both during the editing process and after the book is published. One of the main benefits of working with my developmental editors is that I gained a deeper understanding of my writing and general writing craft. A good developmental editor can provide feedback on the structure, pacing, arguments, and character development of a manuscript, as well as help an author identify and overcome any weaknesses or inconsistencies in their writing. This process helped me develop my writing skills, but the added benefit was enhancing my confidence in the book. The second psychological benefit of working with my developmental editor is that it has helped me to overcome writer's block and to stay motivated during the writing process. I’m now working on books six and seven, and I still struggle with feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, and frustration when working on a book. A developmental editor can help provide guidance, support, and a sense of accountability. Michael has worked with hundreds of authors to navigate this, but he’s an author himself, having had the same feelings. Maybe it’s obvious, but having someone counting on me and a call scheduled each week to talk strategy has been central to staying focused and productive, avoiding getting bogged down by self-doubt or procrastination. I’ve also found a massive difference in the amount of rewriting I’ve done. My developmental editor offers perspective on my work as it’s happening. Writing a book can be an intense and personal experience, and it can be challenging to be objective about my writing. I’d spent quite a bit of time wrestling through a complicated scene, and after sharing it with Michael, I could sense he enjoyed it. He wrote in his comments that he wanted to hear more detail about it. A developmental editor provides an outside perspective on the manuscript, which has helped me see my work with fresh eyes and to identify areas that need improvement.

Five Tips to Set up a Positive & Productive Relationship With Your Developmental Editor

The most important thing is to remember your developmental editor is your writing coach, not just revising or editing what you write. You’ll need to collaborate, communicate, and iterate to success.
  1. Communicate effectively: Clearly express your goals, concerns, and feedback to your developmental editor. Understand the objectives of your coaching relationship. I recommend a weekly conversation, whether a zoom chat, phone call, or messaging over text/DM. But you want to have a conversation, not just send written comments on your writing back and forth.
  2. Be open to feedback: Listen actively and be receptive to constructive criticism. Your developmental editor’s role is to help you improve, so be willing to take their advice. Michael offers written feedback on what I write, but we begin each call and conversation by discussing things that I didn’t understand or wanted to clarify.
  3. Be proactive: Take responsibility for your development and work on achieving your goals. This includes following through on any action items or tasks your developmental editor assigns. We set weekly goals and realistic outcomes.
  4. Be honest: Be honest with your developmental editor about your strengths and weaknesses. This will help them tailor their coaching to meet your specific needs.
  5. Be respectful: Show respect for your editor’s time, expertise, and experience. This includes being punctual for meetings and keeping agreements and commitments.
* * * As an author, my work is essential to me. It’s my legacy and a craft I’m committed to improving. And that means being real with myself that I can’t do that alone. I need Michael and others to help me to maximize my personal and professional potential. Coaching has helped me. But more than anything, working with a developmental editor has provided me with a professional opinion. I’m fortunate to have Michael bring years of experience to me. Besides being an author, he has coached hundreds of authors like me as the Senior Editor for Manuscripts, LLC and trained dozens and dozens of other developmental editors. He’s able to consult with peers when I had questions on my use of tropes and quickly get me perspectives outside my own. I’ve grown as a writer, author, and creative. I’ve improved more in the craft of writing than anything – and even if my recent books hadn’t done well both commercially and critically, I’d still know I’m a better writer today than before. A special thanks to Michael Bailey and ChandaElaine Spurlock who have been my writing coaches and developmental editors. You both have helped me Right My Writing.
Eric Koester is the founder Manuscripts, LLC, a b-corporation whose mission is to inspire, teach and support tomorrow’s creators — authors, podcasters, speakers, entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and course builders. Through his work he’s coached nearly 1,000 first-time creators. He is also a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Georgetown University and the school’s only two-time entrepreneurship professor of the year, faculty at Growth University, and the executive director of the Intrapreneur Institute, which researches, trains and develops future innovation leaders.
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13Feb

The Case of the Curious Author: Why Most Great Books Begin With What You Want to Learn, Not What You Know

“It’s all written in my head, and I just have to get it out.” Is your conviction-to-curiosity score out of whack?   Having been part of the journeys with thousands of published authors now, I am sometimes asked what’s the difference between authors who publish and writers who never finish their books. Curiosity. The person who struggles comes to me with the perfect book topic, a full outline, every lesson, and the ideal title for their book… in their head. And it’s that overconfidence that sinks them and their book.   If you’re thinking about really investing time and resources into a book, I’d suggest you examine your conviction-to-curiosity score.

What is Good Conviction for a Book?

Websters Dictionary defines conviction is “a firmly held belief or opinion.” When it comes to books, there are lots of convictions:
  • The title
  • The beginning story
  • The table of contents
  • The main lesson
  • The length
These are all common convictions I often hear when talking to an aspiring author. I describe these as Knowledge Convictions. Things you know about your topic. The problem is these aren’t good convictions – things you really should firmly hold as beliefs – when it comes to writing your book. Why? Because most authors will tell you that the act of writing the book exposes all the things you didn’t realize, know, or understand. The process builds your topical and knowledge convictions.  Then what is a good conviction?   Process Convictions. These are things you hold firmly as beliefs and opinions about the process you’ll go through with your book.  
  • The amount of months you’ll invest in completing the project
  • The amount of hours you’ll carve off weekly to work on the book
  • The amount of feedback you’ll need to seek
  • The amount of research you’ll plan to gather
  • The number of interviews you’ll need to do
  • The coaching, editing, and support you’ll need to improve it
These are things in the process of writing your book, and these are what I’d describe as good convictions.   Education Convictions. These are things you want to share and teach. Often it’s something you’ve benefited from and feel is a conviction to share with others.
  • Recommending a great book you’ve read
  • Writing a blog post detailing how you’ve done something
  • Offering a workshop
  • Teaching a course or class
  • Coaching or mentoring someone
What can make a book or really any major project challenging is when we have to break our firmly held beliefs and opinions.   That can feel depressing, frustrating, or defeating.   And that’s why knowledge conviction is particularly problematic: when you start writing a book and taking what you thought out of your head, it will certainly break many of your firmly held beliefs and opinions.   Having strong knowledge convictions sets you up for frustration, but having process convictions and education convictions are critical.

Setting Process Convictions

As Mike Tyson aptly said, “Everyone has a plan: until they get punched in the face.” Writing a book will punch you in the face. And so any convictions you have should be loosely held but grounded in some knowledge.  I’ve learned to identify four major areas to create ‘loose’ process convictions:
  • Calendar time
  • Weekly time
  • Professional support
  • Feedback
When I talk to a writer about creating process convictions, I begin by framing their book as an iterative project. This is something that’ll require modest weekly investments that with feedback will improve over a longer period of time. Said simply, “You’ll write something every week and with the right feedback mechanisms it will be darn good by the end of a year.” Calendar Time Convictions. Writing a book is a long-term endeavo. Most great books take around a year of a concerted effort to develop, write, and revise to be great. It’s a year-long thing… and then there’s the additional effort that comes from marketing, publishing, book tours, and the like. I believe each book I write is going to require me to make at least a year-long commitment to developing it. I’m convicted for the year, but I’m aware it may take more time.  And I also know there’s additional work of marketing, promotion, etc. Weekly Time Convictions. There is a common message out there from professional authors from Stephen King to Dan Pink who all say the same variation of “write daily.” It’s good in theory, but hard in practice, especially if you have a day job. I think in weekly time investment, as you want to be doing meaningful work on your book most weeks. I’d think about committing a year to the project and dedicating 4-6 hours each week.That’s going to be about two hundred and fifty hours, but it feels much more doable if you scope it down to two mornings each week, a half day on Saturday, one afternoon, or a single evening.  Professional Support. I don’t believe writing a book isn’t hard because of the writing; it’s hard because of the architecture of writing content for a book. When I wrote my first novel, The Pennymores, I took the idea from a bedtime story my daughters and I made up, and wrote it down. I shared it with a few people and they loved the characters and the world, but the story was flat. It wasn’t until I began working with my developmental editor ChandaElaine Spurlock that I realized I didn’t have the architecture of the story – the frames for my writing. For some people they can get that from books on writing, others get coaching and help from an editor, and still others may get their MFA or something similar. But I’d be convicted you’ll need to invest in professional support – time and money – to finish a book.  Feedback. If you read any advice about writing books, you’re most likely to hear the phrase ‘great books aren’t written, they are re-written.’ That’s true, but I’ll add a qualifier to that: great books are re-written based on great feedback. And you should expect to get feedback from multiple people (beyond a professional editor). Peer authors, beta readers, friends, and family.  You want to be convicted that you’ll share your ideas and writing with a meaningful number of people. In fact, I advise writers to be sure they have six to ten people they trust read the entire book before publishing.   These four areas are where I’d urge every writer to develop ‘loose’ process convictions to help them finish what they start.

Identify Your Conviction-to-Curiosity Score

My good friend and business partner Scott Case has the following mantra: “I’m often wrong, but never in doubt.” This is what I call the Conviction-to-Curiosity score. You want conviction – especially the good convictions – when it comes to writing a book. Those convictions should skew toward process convictions if at all possible, and even better if they look at those convictions as floors: at least a year, at least 4 hours a week, etc.   But that’s not particularly reassuring when you’re deciding if this is an idea or direction you should invest all this time into.   Remember, strong Knowledge Conviction isn’t the type of conviction that I’d encourage any first-time writer.  But then, how do I know if this topic is worth pursuing?   You’re curious to find answers to a question that matters, and you are convicted to share what you learn with others. We call this Education Conviction.   Many of the best books begin as questions:
  • If our intellects alone don’t determine success… what does? (Mindset by Carol Dweck, Grit by Angela Duckworth)
  • What makes us attracted to certain brands and companies? (Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Good to Great by Jim Collins)
  • How can I achieve my goals? (Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck by Mark Manson, Drive by Dan Pink)
There are countless others out there, but these questions don’t have to be unique. As you can see, many of these have a similar question that led to a different framework, book, or solution.
 
High Education Conviction Low Education Conviction
High Topic Curiosity You’ve spent extensive time learning about the subject – reading books, taking courses, listening to speakers, writing ideas (and continue to do so) AND you regularly share that knowledge in blog posts, workshops, teaching, and coaching. You’ve spent extensive time learning about the subject – reading books, taking courses, listening to speakers, writing ideas (and you’re continuing to do so), but you’ve mostly kept that knowledge to yourself or shared mostly in private settings.
Low Topic Curiosity You’re already an/the expert in the field or topic, and at this point, you know the topic.  You’ve already spoken about it many times, written about it extensively, and believe more people need this knowledge and information.  You think this idea is intriguing but really haven’t spent a ton of time with it, but you’re not sure if people care and you’re really early in deciding if it’s an area of interest for you.
 
If you find yourself in the Low-Low box, then you’re likely not ready to even consider writing a book on this subject. And if you find yourself in the high-high box, then this indicates that you likely have the necessary score to at least consider investing in a book. It’s when you are low-high or high-low boxes that require a bit more work. 
  • High Education Conviction, but Low Topic Curiosity.  This is often what I call the “should write” book. Many times these writers come in with strong Knowledge Conviction, but low Process Conviction because they feel like all the work they’ve done to get to this point should “count” and now they just need to extract their knowledge and make it a book. In many cases, they ask about a ghostwriter. My guidance is that they need to look for a ‘new angle’ for their book to peak their curiosity; otherwise, they struggle to finish their books. A new angle could be finding a different audience for the knowledge, layering on research and interviews from others, or simply looking for a more updated take. Many have been thinking about their idea for years and need a shake-up to ever finish. 
  • High Topic Curiosity, but Low Education Conviction. This is often what I call the “someone needs to write the book” writer. They have spent substantial time and energy coming to a conclusion or insight, and often can’t believe why no one else has it or why no one else is talking about it. They believe the idea is “so big” that when they share it, it’ll become a massive, huge idea. Their reasons for not sharing it often have to do with alignment: an area outside their job, a topic they don’t want someone to steal, or they don’t yet have the credibility to write it. For most of these individuals, I don’t advise them to start posting on social media or start blogging about their ideas (they usually aren’t there yet).  I advise them to have conversations with friends, connections, and peers. Usually, there’s an investment needed to really frame things. 
What I’ve learned is aspiring authors who have High-High scores are the most likely to be able to finish a draft manuscript or book on their own. It’s still challenging, but that combination can provide enough inherent motivation to finish. For those with High-Low or Low-High scores, they nearly all require a system to finish. That system usually requires professional coaching and a level of peer accountability and support necessary to finish an exceptional book. Being aware of your own score can help you determine what things are holding you back, and what investments are worth making to push to finish.   Conviction is key to finishing a book, but make sure you’ve got the right convictions, and particularly are self-aware of your own conviction-to-curiosity score as it can make all the difference. Writing a book is one of the most amazing learning experiences of my life.   But curiosity, my writer friends . . . that’s how you build your convictions.
Eric Koester is the founder and CEO of Creator Institute, a b-corporation whose mission is to inspire, teach and support tomorrow’s creators — authors, podcasters, speakers, entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and course builders. Through his work he’s coached nearly 1,000 first-time creators. He is also a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Georgetown University and the school’s only two-time entrepreneurship professor of the year, faculty at Growth University, and the executive director of the Intrapreneur Institute, which researches, trains and develops future innovation leaders.
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