What If? For Authors

By Claire TaylorBusiness Careers

What If? For Authors episodes

August 19, 2024What if I hate writing emails?
Episode Description:
In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire Taylor dives into a topic that many authors struggle with: email. Claire explores the underlying reasons why authors might feel dread about managing email lists and responding to reader messages, and she offers practical advice to make the process less stressful. Whether it's removing the "shoulds" around email, creating a schedule that works for your energy, or hiring an assistant to handle the influx of messages, Claire encourages listeners to find their own path to a healthier email relationship.
Key Takeaways:
Removing the "Shoulds": Many authors feel weighed down by preconceived notions of how often they "should" email their readers. Claire emphasizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and that it’s okay to do what works for you.
Email as a Creative Outlet: Claire encourages authors to see email as just another form of writing, which can be fun and creative when the content feels right. There are no rules—whether it’s memes, stories, or personal anecdotes, email can reflect who you are as an author.
Boundaries with Reader Emails: Responding to every reader email isn’t necessary, and it’s important to set boundaries that protect your time and energy. Claire explores how different Enneagram types might feel pressure to respond and offers advice on how to manage that.
Consider Outsourcing: If email truly feels overwhelming, outsourcing to a virtual assistant can be a great option. Claire shares her own experience of hiring help to handle emotionally taxing emails and encourages others to do the same if needed.
Email Lists as a Foundation: Building an email list is still one of the wisest things authors can do for long-term success, providing a direct line to readers that isn’t dependent on social media algorithms or platforms.
Why Listen? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by managing your email list or responding to readers, this episode is for you. Claire offers both practical advice and mindset shifts to help you develop a healthier, more sustainable relationship with email. Whether you need to set new boundaries, rethink your email strategy, or hire help, this episode provides actionable steps to make email a tool that works for you, not against you.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or topic you’d like Claire to explore? Send an email to [email protected]. Claire is always open to hearing from her listeners and offering support.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!
27 min
August 12, 2024What if my books take off?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor explores the often-overlooked question: "What if my books do take off?" While many authors dream of their books hitting the big time, the reality of success can be disorienting, triggering, and even stressful. Claire delves into the psychological and emotional challenges that can arise when your books suddenly gain widespread attention and offers practical advice for managing the experience. Whether your books have already taken off or you’re still waiting for that moment, this episode provides valuable insights on how to prepare for success and stay grounded amidst the whirlwind.
Key Takeaways:
The Double-Edged Sword of Success: Understanding that while having your books take off can be exciting, it can also bring unexpected challenges and stress.
Core Fears Triggered by Success: How different Enneagram types might react to sudden success, from the fear of being seen to feeling trapped or overwhelmed.
Maintaining Self-Worth Independently of Sales: The importance of not tying your self-worth to fluctuating book sales and strategies for staying grounded and self-assured.
Balancing Creative Desires and Financial Success: Tips for authors who may feel trapped in writing what sells rather than what they love, and how to navigate that tension.
Practical Preparation: Advice on setting the table for success before it happens and how to manage the realities if it’s already occurred.
Why Listen? If you’ve ever wondered what life would be like if your books became bestsellers, or if you’re already dealing with the pressures of a successful series, this episode will help you navigate the emotional and psychological terrain of author success. Claire provides actionable strategies to ensure that your well-being and creative fulfillment stay intact, even as your books soar.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or topic you’d like Claire to explore? Send an email to [email protected]. Claire is always open to hearing from her listeners and offering support.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!
20 min
August 05, 2024What if my books never take off?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor addresses a common anxiety among authors: "What if my books never take off?" Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram Certified Coach and her own author journey, Claire explores the balance between preparation and luck in achieving success, the importance of feedback, and how to find deeper purpose and enjoyment in writing regardless of external success. This episode offers a compassionate and realistic approach to managing expectations and sustaining an author career over the long term.
Key Takeaways:
Preparation vs. Luck: Understanding the role of luck in author success and how to stay in the game long enough for luck to find you.
Feedback and Improvement: The importance of seeking and accepting feedback to improve your books without taking it as a personal indictment.
Dealing with Uncertainty: How to tolerate the uncertainty of whether your books will take off and finding ways to balance the pain of uncertainty with the joy of writing.
Purpose and Enjoyment: Connecting to a deeper reason for writing that provides immediate fulfillment and sustains you through the ups and downs of an author career.
Self-Compassion: Practicing kindness and compassion towards yourself and deconstructing the lies that link your self-worth to external success.
Why Listen? If you find yourself questioning whether your books will ever take off or struggling with the uncertainty and pressure of author life, this episode offers valuable insights and strategies to help you stay motivated and find deeper meaning in your writing journey. Claire's empathetic guidance will help you navigate the challenges and uncertainties of being an author with resilience and hope.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!
29 min
July 29, 2024What if it's election season?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the anxiety-inducing atmosphere of election season and how it affects authors. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram Certified Coach and her own journey as a writer, Claire explores strategies to remain creative and hopeful during such a stressful time. This episode offers a compassionate and realistic approach to managing your nervous system, staying grounded, and continuing your writing journey amidst political chaos.
Key Takeaways:
Managing Election Anxiety: Understand the impact of the election season on your mental health and how to stay grounded.
Nervous System Regulation: Learn practical techniques for regulating your nervous system and maintaining focus on your writing.
Enneagram Insights: Use the Enneagram to identify and manage your emotional patterns and fears during stressful times.
Impact of Stories: Recognize the power of storytelling in shaping minds and promoting compassion and understanding.
Actionable Steps: Tips for creating a calming practice, staying informed without being overwhelmed, and staying connected to your writing purpose.
Why Listen? If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the current political climate and its potential impact on your creativity, this episode provides valuable insights and techniques to help you stay focused and resilient. Claire's empathetic guidance will help you navigate the turbulence of election season while continuing to write meaningful stories.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
27 min
July 22, 2024What if my account gets banned?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor dives into the anxiety-inducing topic of account bans and how authors can rebound and rebuild after such a nightmare scenario. Drawing from real experiences and practical strategies, Claire explores the steps authors can take if they find themselves banned from platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or even KDP. This episode provides a compassionate and realistic approach to managing this crisis and emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability.
Key Takeaways:
Initial Response: Strategies for managing the initial freak-out and immediate steps to take after discovering an account ban.
Appealing the Ban: Tips for reaching out to customer service and appealing the ban effectively.
Acceptance and Adjustment: The importance of practicing acceptance and adjusting your strategy if the appeal doesn't work.
Marketing as Water Flow: Claire's analogy of marketing channels and how to redirect your efforts when one channel is blocked.
Support System: The value of having a support system in place and leveraging the author community during tough times.
Rebuilding Strategy: Practical advice for rebuilding your business and exploring new opportunities, including selling direct or focusing on local markets.
Accountability: Handling the emotional fallout if the ban was due to knowingly breaking terms of service, and the importance of taking accountability.
Why Listen? If you find yourself worrying about the possibility of account bans or if you're currently dealing with one, this episode offers thoughtful and actionable advice to help you navigate this challenging situation. Claire's insights into resilience and rebuilding provide a valuable perspective for any author facing setbacks.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
23 min
July 15, 2024What if I don't have support?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the crucial topic of support systems for authors. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram coach and author, Claire explores how to navigate the challenges of building and recognizing support in your author career. Whether you're struggling to find support or unsure if you have enough, this episode provides a compassionate and realistic approach to understanding and leveraging the support you have.
Key Takeaways:
Types of Support: Learn about the different types of support—personal and professional—and how each can benefit your author career.
Recognizing Support: Discover strategies to identify and appreciate the support you already have.
Building Support Systems: Tips on how to cultivate a robust support network, even if you feel you have none.
Enneagram Insights: Insights into how different Enneagram types might resist asking for help and how to overcome these limiting beliefs.
Practical Advice: Strategies for indie authors to start with minimal financial resources and gradually build up their support and resources.
Links mentioned:
The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up: Find Your Path, Face Your Shadow, Discover Your True Self
Why Listen? If you find yourself feeling isolated or unsupported in your author journey, this episode offers a thoughtful and empathetic perspective on building and recognizing support systems. This episode is a must-listen for any author seeking to balance independence with the invaluable benefits of a supportive community.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
26 min
July 08, 2024What if I'm grieving?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the deeply emotional topic of grieving. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram coach and her personal journey through grief, Claire explores how to manage an author career while dealing with significant loss. Whether you're in the midst of grief or supporting someone who is, this episode provides a compassionate and realistic approach to navigating these challenging times.
Key Takeaways:
Avoiding Unnecessary Suffering: Learn why it's essential to fully experience grief rather than avoiding or suppressing it.
Importance of Support: Recognize the value of asking for help and surrounding yourself with supportive people during the grieving process.
Transformation Through Grief: Understand that grief changes you and that your writing process and projects may need to adapt to your new self.
Taking a Break: It's okay to pause your writing to focus on healing; your career can continue once you're ready.
Complex Emotions: Embrace the wide range of emotions, including gratitude, that coexist with grief, and learn how to navigate them.
Links mentioned:
The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O'Connor
Why Listen? If you're an author dealing with grief or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a thoughtful and empathetic perspective on balancing an author career with the profound emotions of loss. This episode is a must-listen for any author seeking to understand and navigate grief while maintaining their creative path.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
31 min
July 01, 2024What if people don't like me?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the anxiety-inducing topic of not being liked. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram coach and her own author journey, Claire explores the fear of rejection and how it affects different Enneagram types. Whether you're just starting out or are an established author, this episode provides a compassionate and realistic approach to managing your expectations and emotions regarding others' opinions.
Key Takeaways:
Fear of Rejection: Understand that the fear of not being liked can be amplified once you start publishing, but this amplification can also be an opportunity for growth.
Perfectionism and Approval: Learn how perfectionism, especially from an Enneagram One perspective, can impact your need for approval and how to address it.
Different Enneagram Types: Explore how various Enneagram types experience the fear of not being liked and how it impacts their writing.
Responsibility for Feelings: Recognize that how others feel about you is their responsibility, not yours, and take ownership of your feelings about others.
Focusing on Supporters: Redirect your attention from critics to supporters to build a stronger connection with those who already like you.
Parental Expectations: Address the influence of parental approval on your creative decisions and the importance of disappointing them to stay true to yourself.
Internal Liberation: Embrace the clarity and freedom that comes from accepting that disappointing others might be part of your path toward fulfilling your purpose.
Why Listen? If you find yourself struggling with the fear of not being liked or are overwhelmed by criticism, this episode offers a thoughtful and empathetic perspective. This episode is a must-listen for any author seeking to balance the desire for approval with staying true to their creative vision.
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
26 min
June 25, 2024What if I have chronic health issues?
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the anxiety-inducing topic of chronic health issues and their impact on an author's career. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram coach and her own health journey, Claire explores how chronic conditions can affect work and life and provides compassionate strategies for managing your author dreams alongside your health needs.
Key Takeaways:
Chronic health issues do not mean you have to give up on your author dreams. Modifications and self-compassion can help you thrive.
Connecting with your three centers of intelligence can provide valuable insights into how to handle chronic health issues and their impact on your work.
Acceptance and care are essential skills for managing chronic health conditions effectively.
Developing a loving connection to your body, mind, and heart is crucial for long-term well-being and success.
Seeking medical treatment and advocating for your health is vital, even in the face of potential challenges within the medical system.
Why Listen? If you find yourself struggling with chronic health issues and wondering if you can still achieve your author goals, this episode offers a thoughtful and empathetic perspective. This episode is a must-listen for any author seeking to balance their health with their passion for writing.
Links Mentioned:
Sustain Your Author Career
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
36 min
June 17, 2024What If My Book Launch Is a Dud?
Episode Description:
In this episode of "What If? For Authors," Claire Taylor tackles the anxiety-inducing topic of book launches. Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram coach and her own author journey, Claire explores the fear of a book launch failing and how it affects different Enneagram types. Whether you're launching your first book or your tenth, this episode provides a compassionate and realistic approach to managing your expectations and emotions.
Key Takeaways:
A book launch's success or failure doesn't define your book's long-term potential.
Understanding your Enneagram type can provide valuable insights into how you handle book launches and their outcomes.
Develop self-compassion and curiosity when setting expectations for your book launch.
Conditions outside your control can affect your launch; recognize and respect these factors.
Celebrate your accomplishments and take care of your well-being on launch day.
Why Listen? If you find yourself anxious about book launches or feeling overwhelmed by their potential outcomes, this episode offers a thoughtful and empathetic perspective.
Links Mentioned:
Sustain Your Author Career - Available June 13th
Reclaim Your Author Career
The Child in You by Stephanie Stahl
Nine Lenses on the World by Dr. Jerome Wagner
Join the Conversation: Have a question or fear you'd like me to explore? Reach out to me at [email protected].
Access the transcript for this episode here.
Happy Writing!
27 min