Drafts Don't Count

They say it takes three months to write a book. You’ve had a coach for two, so now you're on your own to wrap this thing up strong.

In this episode, I’m reminding you that the finish line isn’t going to meet you halfway. The only thing left to move is you. Remember, writing a book doesn’t get easier...you just get stronger, sharper, and more disciplined when you show up.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, distracted, or ready to quit, this is your wake-up call to pivot. You don’t have to do this alone. That’s why we created The Author’s Lounge — a space designed to help you push through the hard part and finish your story.

As a thank-you for joining us this season, we’re giving you your first month free, plus 50% off your membership for life (originally $22/month). It’s our way of saying, “Let’s get this book done...together.”

This episode ran about five minutes over, but I’m not sorry because you needed to hear this.

If you’re not at least two-thirds through your manuscript or story by now, we need to talk. Or maybe it’s time to stop forcing the full book for a second and try a different route: an anthology, a guided journal, a memoir, a blog, or even an article.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the different ways you can publish your work right now so you can start developing the one skill that makes all the difference: confidence. Remember, the process doesn’t get easier. You just get better.

Realistically, it’s may be time to pivot, not quit. Because every time you finish something, you remind yourself that you can.

Stop saying you’re a writer, and start acting like one.

This one went a little over the 10-minute mark, but honestly? There was no way around it. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to publishing your story, and I’d rather give you the truth than a shortcut.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the top three main ways to publish your book: traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing. We’ll talk about the pros, the cons, and the hidden costs that no one warns you about, so you can make the choice that actually fits your goals, not someone else’s formula.

There are other publishing paths out there too, but I just couldn’t cover them all here. Don’t worry, they’re outlined in my e-book, Your Story Matters, which is available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. It includes a full breakdown of every publishing option and a guide to help you figure out which one’s right for you.

There’s more than one way to tell your story, but no progress comes from standing still.

This episode wasn’t on the original production schedule, but here we are.

I’ve been in this weird in-between lately as I'm shifting out of ghostwriting, stepping back into my own lane as a writer, an author coach, and a publicist. And truthfully, it is not easy. This whole process has shown me how sneaky survival mode can be and how easy it is to become trapped there. When you’ve been operating in survival mode for so long, comfort can start to look like peace, but they’re not the same thing. Comfort keeps you safe. Purpose requires you to move in uncharted and scary territories.

And if I have the space to be really real, I realized I’d been calling certain decisions “strategy,” when really, I was just scared to step into what I already knew I was supposed to be doing.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it looks like to stop hiding from your calling. You know, that moment when you know you're being nudged to do more, but you keep trying to negotiate your way out of it. So if you’ve been feeling stretched, uncomfortable, or convicted lately… maybe it’s not chaos. Maybe it’s confirmation.

Your purpose won’t compete with your comfort, and it won’t wait for you to be ready.

Everybody loves to talk about writing a book until they realize they committed to something equivalent to a mental marathon. There’s a starting line, a finish line, and a whole lot of checkpoints in between.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why it’s so important to pace yourself, honor the process, and stop expecting immediate results. Like it or not...there’s no instant gratification in publishing. It's just you showing up every day questioning yourself and your sanity.

I’ll walk you through the four steps every author goes through when writing and publishing a book and remind you that discipline is built through movement not moments of motivation.

Listen, you’re not supposed to have it all figured out on mile one. You’re supposed to build endurance, trust your training, and keep showing up until the words start running with you instead of against you.

Your book has a starting line and a finish line — respect both. And don't forget, the only way to get there… is to keep moving.

Now breathe, refocus, and write. The marathon continues.

Let’s talk about that “but.”

“I want to write a book, but I don’t have the money.”
“I want to write a book, but I don’t have the time.”
“I want to write a book, but I don’t know where to start.”

Sound familiar? Yeah. Me too because I’ve heard them all.

In this episode, we’re addressing the five biggest excuses that keep people from writing their book and replacing them with real, practical solutions. I’ll even share how you can publish a book without spending a dime (even though I don’t recommend it), and why the real investment is in your consistency, not your coins.

We’ll also dive into my e-book, Shut Up and Finish Your Book Already, where I break down the exact tips, tools, and mindset shifts that help writers move past fear, lack, and overwhelm and finally get their story out.

If you’re still waiting for motivation to show up, let me save you some time...it’s not coming.

What will keep you going is your why.

This week, I’m sharing part of my own story and reminding you that every single one of those fears we named last episode can all be shut down by a solid reason for why you’re doing this in the first place.

I’ll walk you through a quick exercise that’ll help you take yourself out of the equation and dream bigger — not just for you, but for the people who need what you’re writing.

And yeah, this episode ran a few minutes longer than usual. But you can either complain about the extra time or take it as a sign that it’s time for you to start carving out more space for your book. Because at the end of the day, discipline is built on desire and your why is what’ll get you across the finish line. 

Now go press play… and remember, drafts don’t count.

Writing a book is hard, but so is staying stuck.

In this episode, I’m laying the groundwork for what it really takes to finish the story you’ve been talking about. You’ll learn how to create intentional writing blocks, treat your craft like a marathon, and build the kind of discipline that keeps you going when the excitement wears off.

If you’re serious about finishing your book, this is where we start: with honesty, structure, and accountability.