Should You Call Yourself a Writer?

There are plenty of titles that have to be officially given to you. Doctor. Police officer. đź‘‘King of England. “Writer” is not one of those titles.  Yet so many aspiring authors are hesitant to claim the identity and call themselves a writer. Maybe as a kid, you didn’t get good grades in English class. For … Read more

Are you stuck? How to get writing again!

focus on finger typing on laptop computer

What’s the #1 issue aspiring authors hit as they reach for their book goals? They’re just not writing! Regardless of their good intentions, the words are not flying on the page the way they’d like. Sound like you? If so, you may need to ask yourself the world’s simplest question: What’s really going on? Yeah, … Read more

3 Roadbumps You’ll (Probably) Encounter When Writing a Book About Your Life

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. If you have a book in you—if you hear the call to write—it’s because Life is asking for your story. Unfortunately, my many years of working with authors has taught me this lesson: You’re gonna hit some bumps on the road when you’re writing … Read more

A Tour of the Publishing World with Rob Kandell

publishing world

Ready to throw in the towel because you’ve received 3 rejections? 10? Kelly says not so fast. Take a listen to her conversation with teacher, coach, and lecturer Rob Kandell on his podcast Tuff Love. Kelly addresses the real reasons you should–or should not–write a book, how the publishing industry has changed since she got started 20+ … Read more

Quick Writing Quiz: Bad Timing…or Resistance in Disguise?

writing quiz

If you’re anything like, um, I don’t know, every writer I’ve ever met, then there will be times in your writing journey when you’ll wonder how, how, how you’ll ever get that book finished. Or even started. Sound familiar? Regardless the flavor of your particular writing crazy, the excuses reasons most writers have for not … Read more

Why Writing a Book Is an Act of Courage

writing a book

Each time I meet someone who wants to write a book, I send up a little prayer. May your book be of service in the world. May you find the help you need to get it out there. And may you have the bravery to follow your book journey all the way to the end. … Read more

Creating a Simple Writing Plan You Can Stick To

writing plan

What’s the hardest part about writing? DOING IT! You can have the greatest ideas in the world, but setting aside the time to sit down and put pen to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) is a whole different story. So how do I help my authors skirt the deadly territory of “writer who isn’t writing?” I … Read more

14 Tips to Love Writing Again

love writing again

When we think of writing, we often think of the sexy parts. The inspiration of the muse! The poetic prose, flowing on the page! The readers whose lives are about to change! While all that’s well and good, the truth is there’s nothing sexy about the butt-in-chair time required to actually write that book. If … Read more

Three Really Good Reasons You’re Not Writing

not writing

Recently I was chatting with a new friend of mine, a teacher and leader in her field, about the fact that I help birth books for a living. She covered her face in her hands and said, in a muffled voice, “Oh dear. I’m supposed to be writing a book!” She was embarrassed to admit … Read more

The Myth of “I’ll Do It Tomorrow”

i'll do it tomorrow

It’s easy to think, “I’ll work on my book tomorrow.” Or next month. (Or next year.) We as humans are predisposed to believe we have all the time in the world. Myself very much included. This month, the KN Literary family got a wake-up call when we learned that our beloved admin-slash-project manager Rachel had … Read more