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  • AI Writing:

    Technology is constantly advancing-even in writing! This doesn’t mean that AI will do everything you want it to, but you can definitely save time when doing your writing by using this program. Remember it isn’t perfect which is why today I am covering the baselines of what to expect when using AI in your writing.

    Key Points

    ●  It doesn’t understand funny.

    ●  It doesn’t do name recognition.

    ●  It is totally great at titles, subtitles, and outlines, but when it comes to outlines, you need to ask it for more detail. You need supportive points that bolster each chapter's objective.

    ●  You may have a hard time-saving the prior version as you are working through different versions of your content. At times, edits may go too far, and, in that case, you will need to re-paste the version that you like.

    ●  It’s not great at using details

    ●  It’s fabulous as defining and explained quite well the foundations of algebra and calculus.

    ●  When you ask it to edit existing content, it will clean it up as it dehumanizes it. This is very effective for business writers that want to be straightforward and use bullets and teaching to explain methodologies, and so on.

    ●  It will get smarter, but it will take time.

    ●  It refuses to write hateful language - yay! It did write a little bit on supporting LGBTQ+ peeps, which was so heart-warming.

    ●  It even explained the pros and cons of using AI to write a book.

    Outro

    That’s ten tips exactly and our time on this week’s chapter of Write Effing Now. When you need proven tips on getting the best writing on the page, or you’re ready to write your book head to bookmarkpub.com and get in touch. Until next time authors, write on.

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

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  • On today's episode of WEN, we’re meeting the characters who are just dying to get to know you in your own book, whether fiction or non-fiction. This is a storytelling element you don’t want to skip!

    Why character development is important. People relate to people. We want to make it enjoyable for the reader and easier for them to make sure they can use their emotions so they can connect.
    Business books need personality - retention, ease of digestion - this is why we teach the way we do.

    Connecting to someone emotionally means you need to define their character.

    1. What are the nuts and bolts? Who are they? Why are they acting the way they do?

    2. They need to be likable.

    3. They need to be believable.

    4. They need to be multi-faceted - you have to feel sorry for the villain.

    5. Make them human - they are not perfect.

    Outro

    That’s ten tips exactly and our time on this week’s chapter of Write Effing Now. When you need proven tips on getting the best writing on the page, or you’re ready to write your book head to bookmarkpub.com and get in touch. Until next time authors, write on.

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  • Co-Authorship can be sticky sometimes. It takes the right partner and the perfect amount of communication to be successful when working with someone else. You wouldn’t purchase a house without viewing it- so don’t do that when picking a Co-Author. Look at their credentials and writing styles.

    Remember this is a partnership- create improved skill sets from each other's Strengths and Marketing.  I also have 5 other bonus tips that you need to keep in mind during this process.

    Write it together as one voice- Stay connected with your partner and make sure you are both on the same page about the context and information you want to include. Each of you take a chapter - Collaborate and speed up the writing process by dividing sections for each of you to complete. Each of you take a chapter and don’t make it obvious- Make sure that in your writing yourself and your partner are writing to a similar style so that the reader doesn’t point it out. What does “with” me mean? Use Julie and Julia as a reference.

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

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  • When we decide to write it’s more than a pen hitting paper, or your fingers pressing on a keyboard.  It’s an expression of emotion and storytelling.  You want people to feel what you’re speaking about and to remember the moral of what you are portraying. You are here to entertain, share your pain, provide hope and inspiration. That’s what it means to become an author.  

    Writing isn’t easy, but it’s important to keep working diligently at your craft.  

    Over time, you will share something that others connect to and in many cases, transform their lives. As a result, you become a better writer, speaker, and a better teacher of the craft.

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

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  • When writing your book there are many different processes involved, but you can’t sell your book without organizational marketing. You are going to learn where you can build your calendar whether it is online or written down. Knowing where to post is going to be one of the most important parts of this. Hilary addresses the four major objectives you have to complete if you want to make the most of getting your book out to the public.

    Marketing Outline

    Focused Objectives Brand awareness- Make sure you understand how you’re going to Brand your work. Promos- Utilize as many social media platforms as you can and get the word out.  Be cautious when using third party apps. Excerpts/memes- Find something relatable for your audience or something humorous. Events - Speaking: Get the message out by making public appearances. 

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

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  • Transcribing is the best technique to use when writing your book. Hilary shares 4 tips that will provide more proficiency and speed in your writing. This not only helps you with your transcript- it also adds a new skill into your toolbox.

    Tips

    Have your outline at the ready - can be on the phone Open your mouth- this will help you speak more clearly. Practice speaking slowly- This helps your prevent tripping over a word- Especially if you have an accent. Speak up- You want your audience to hear you- Don’t be afraid to get loud but know the difference between yelling.

    Connect With Hilary:

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    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  •  Procrastination will hit you harder than running into a brick wall. Hilary addresses why procrastination is deeper than what’s on the surface. We stop and over think the amount of time it will take to complete a task and end up rushing to complete it at the last minute, or even at all.

    Why do we not do what we have to do? Hilary answers how to tackle procrastination head on by sharing 5 tips that will improve your motivation and focus when writing.

    Implementing a guideline- Be clear with what you’re doing and want to accomplish. Finding a way to not be intimidated- Instead of thinking about everything as a whole just break it into multiple sections that way you are more focused. Where do I start?- Pick one part of the process that flows easily for you and start from there to avoid writer's block or continuous distractions. Plan everything out- You chose where to start- now plan what you want to get done per hour or per day. Utilize quick transitions- When you finish one part of the process do not wait around to start the next step- slam that door and get to work!

    Connect With Hilary:

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    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • Before making the decision to publish a book, it is always important to reference back to a checklist to make sure you completed every step and didn’t miss any. Hilary addresses from an editor's point of view, what you need to look for when completing the revision and editing process. She shares 10 major points to think about when writing, even throwing in a bonus one.

    Here are the Top 10 Editing Tips:

    Prepositions- Pay attention to the writing to see what’s proper- learn about them. Tenses- Figure out which one you want to use and stick with it Consistency of Spelling- Train yourself on the versions of a word you’re going to use Order of Sentence Clauses- Creating more Creative Energy behind your words Comma usage- Using commas correctly Missing Words- Don’t try to put the puzzle together- Take a moment to refresh Improper Synonym-  Be cautious that what the thesaurus spits back may not be the proper words you’re looking for Redundancies- Stay away from repeating subjects unless needed No Dialogue- Dialogue humanizes us- Use it to your full advantage Cliches- Avoid them like the plague unless you reinvigorate them to fit what you are speaking about

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book

    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • What are publishers looking for when you decide to release a book? Content can stretch across horizons based on your mindset or the type of content you want to create. When deciding to take this step, be sure to remind yourself how critical it is to nail the content and the main point of the context you are trying to spread. It is important in the process to be persistent with marketing and consistency when speaking about what you released.

    Hilary speaks about the multiple step process it takes to become qualified for any author before they fully release their novel, like making sure you’re using the proper publishing app and remembering the process of becoming a Best Seller.

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book

    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • There are many different formats we can use when it comes to writing Fiction and Non-Fiction but there are 5 main format’s you should know about as a writer for Non-Fiction. Hilary addresses why you need to understand what formula you will apply before you start typing anything.  The 5 formats that will be discussed are listed below:

    The Blockbuster- Your story starts with a bang- immediately exciting filled with a Pit and a Peak Chronological- Picking a series of events that lead in order Half and Half- Memoir in the beginning of the book- get in touch with your gut Story Driven- Simple and easy to flow with no preamble- Upfront about the take aways Business Textbook- Using Academic nature and emphasizing readers through the use of storytelling, case histories, etc. This format isn’t commonly used.

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • After we receive a bad review or rating, we end up trying to compensate to provide better content or we completely change our style of writing. Remember that our failures shouldn’t be passed on. Most people quit, or in worse cases, give up completely.  The best course of action is to go back and review WHY it was a failure so that you can learn from it.

    Today Hilary discusses what makes a failure and she provides information on how we can actually use that as an advantage moving forward in our writers to scale our audience. Failure is valuable in the way it helps us grow.  It gives us the experience to know what to do, what not to do, and how to make it better.

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book

    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • There are some days when you can look at something that’s been written and just think, “I don’t feel this. I don’t feel inspired.”  It happens to everyone, but it’s important to understand that writing is the core of creativity.  There’s an emotional connection you have to have if you’re going to sit down and unleash that creativity through writing. Hilary shares part two of rules for bad writing and what to do moving forward to improve and enhance your literary skills.

    Today you will learn a few things:

    Pick out what you want- We don’t need to be flowery and over-explain something we are writing about.  Keep it simple. Follow the format in the industry- Keep the same structure of the book and follow it in the proper order. Don’t reinvent the wheel- Do the process that you follow in everything else you write about or will be writing about. Avoid cliches- Embrace YOUR styles, cliches just come off as being unoriginal and lazy. The thesaurus isn’t your friend- Fix and limit your redundancies and keep your writing relevant. Don’t be too “I” oriented- We all like to stroke our egos once in a while- don't make it a habit. Your writers do not want to hear about you the whole time they are reading.

    Hilary covers these topics in more detail and shares a few extras. It’s your time, energy, life experiences, and work going into what you’re writing.  Take this advice and build the best story you can. Write on!

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book

    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • There are so many rules in life. We have rules for school.  Rules for relationships.  Rules for driving a car, rules for functioning in society, and pretty much everything you can imagine. So, why would there not be rules for writing?  There are good rules for writing and bad rules for writing.  There are so many different ways to write but are you applying your best strategies? Today, we're going to cover 10 rules of bad writing.

    Here are some questions to ask yourself as you continue into your writing journey:

    Are you being your true self in your writing? What kind of equipment do you have, is it everything you need? How consistent are you with your work? What is your process with your structure? Do you use too many analogies? How much time are you generating for perspective?

    Hilary speaks about why you need to stop comparing yourself to your favorite Author/ Writer. Why would you want to sound like a knockoff version of those who you emulate when you can branch out in your writing and become someone who gets looked up to as a leader in their own creativity?

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you in the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • Hilary shares some practical tips on what you need for your Author signing! Hilary talks about her upbringing in writing starting as a young writer who is now living her dream past her expectations in writing.

    Hilary covers a lot of helpful information to keep in mind when you’re doing a book signing. Here are just a few of the many things you will learn more about!

    Where is your Book Signing going to take place? Does the location have plenty of room for a line, tables, and Chairs? Where are you going to be located? Will you be doing the reading, or will you have someone else read to the listeners? Do you have the proper attire- No, you don't necessarily have to be all dressed up but look presentable! Offering a few dishes, and drinks can be helpful- Just keep in mind not everyone drinks alcohol! Make sure you keep good hygiene when you do your Author signing (Clean Hands) Make sure you use a Pen- They don’t bleed through

    Hilary addresses why you need to be referring back to yourself if you’re going to be giving a speech. Hilary is going to ask you some questions to prepare you for your Author Signing!

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • There are so many distractions a person can have in life. Oftentimes, we like to push off our task because we think we’re going to miss out on a TV show, an ordinary night out at the bar, or a conversation we can have on the phone with a friend at any other time. The truth is we make excuses for ourselves and being lazy.

    Hilary addresses why procrastination can be the worst enemy in any aspect of your life but how she sees a consistent pattern of it in writing. Hilary speaks about why we shouldn’t think of writing as work but as our creative expression. Hilary breaks down the 9 main topics on why we don’t think we’re good enough. Take a moment to figure out why you’re writing.

    In this episode, Hilary explains why we need to love ourselves and different approaches we can take to decrease the amount of procrastination we carry. Procrastination can show up in any form, but Hilary goes over the 5 major forms that you might go through yourself.

    #WriteOn!

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • Editing is sooooo easy. That’s what everyone says, especially after they hear the investment required to have their work properly edited.  How hard can it be?  You simply need to download Grammarly and start writing, but there’s more to it! No great idea or collection of ideas should ever go without being viewed by a second set of eyes, and a different perspective other than yours.

    Hilary addresses why the editor or publisher is there to help you. She also talks about why you can’t lose your conversational edge. Hilary discusses figuring out how your characters are going to speak. What will their personality be? Understanding why you need to be clear and honest with what you want in your book or story. Hilary shares a few tips on how to improve your character development and your writing.

    She also talks about inflection which is a way to change the form of a word to express the mood, person, tense, and etc. People are not going to listen to you if you change the way you speak or tell a story. It all comes naturally when writing.

    How do you speak?

    Do you use profanity?

    Do you have a lisp?

    Are you a quiet speaker?

    #WriteOn!

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book
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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

    Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | PocketCasts | Breaker | RadioPublic

  • Our imagination is what creates a vision for ourselves. We listen to music, read novels, and find joy in hobbies. These activities are molded from our creativity. Hilary speaks about an experience from when she was married to her first partner and how that made her feel held back from being able to write while juggling all of life's responsibilities.

    It’s time to take back your freedom. Be defensive.

    Hilary addresses how she defended herself to embrace her creativity in her writing. She will be talking about why writing is important and the liberties it allows.

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book
    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • Every "expert" has a coach. The President has advisors.  Every guru has a "guru."  Every influential person to ever roam this planet in every industry and discipline has one thing in common; They all had coaches.

    In today's episode, Hilary addresses the questions on why you need a book coach.  She speaks about topics discussed in the writing community and shares the actions required to apply them.  Just like an onion, writing can be layered.  There are answers that will unfold into a deeper perspective to help you become a more well-rounded and impactful author.

    Hilary talks about when she reached out to a Book Coach after she found herself stuck in an 8-year hiatus and the constant struggle to finish her book.  She breaks down the definition of a Book Coach and the impact they can make on your writing when it comes to creative concepts, proofing, editing, and developing the draft manuscript you decide to use.

    Connect With Hilary:

    Book
    LinkedIn

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • A vision is embedded in everyone. A vision is a pathway to our own goals. For many people, they keep their vision alive through vision boards, sticky notes, constant reminders of self-talk, and even writing pages full of aspirations. However, most people are missing the key factor in this process. They aren’t taking the first step to their goal due to fear.

    Today, on Write Effing Now, Hilary host’s special guest Steve Gamlin. Steve is a man of many experiences and careers. Steve is the founder of Motivational Firewood, is a Speaker, Emcee, Stand-up Comedian, Author, and master of vision boards. Steve and his Wife also run a Non-Profit organization that helps others in the community who are struggling called Beach Bums.

    In this episode Hilary and Steve speak about what a vision really is and how to implement your actions into full effect. Steve speaks about the adversity he faced in 2002 after he decided to quit his career in radio, he had gotten divorced from his wife, and he had three dollars to his name. After a conversation with a life coach, he transformed his life and career into what it is today. A few things that are discussed are the importance of gratitude, working forward into a vision, pulling away from negativity, and having a different outlook on what fear really is. Steve shares his three perspectives on fear and how he applied them and pushed fear to the curb.

    Connect With Steve:

    Instagram

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    Facebook

    Podcast

    Non-Profit

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

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  • There are many kinds of people in this world ranging from all forms of life. The struggles range entirely from different situations and experiences. A person that is Neurodivergent has cognitive thinking that is rather not typical like the general population. For example, people who deal with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia are considered to be Neurodivergent.

    In this episode Hilary is joined by special guest Brian Mckittrick as they discuss what it’s like to be a neurodivergent person and the importance of reaching out for guidance when writing. Brian talks about his journey as he wrote his Best-Selling book “It Ain’t Rocket Surgery”. Brian felt stuck as he was writing his book but felt the gratitude of being able to reach out into his inner circle of writers and other entrepreneurs as they helped guide him into place.

    Brian and Hilary discuss different tactics on how to improve your writing when coming to face those times where you may feel stuck or unable to concentrate.  Brian gives an outlook on his journey where he started from nothing, to becoming the successful entrepreneur he is today and how writing has impacted him closely along his journey of leveling up.

    Connect With Brian:

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    Insurance

    Connect With Hilary:

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    Got questions or ready to work on your book? Reach out to your host Hilary Jastram for guidance here →Let's Connect!

    You've already lived what you've experienced.

    It's time to write it to life!

    See you on the next episode!

    Support Write Effing Now by Becoming a Donor.

    Subscribe to Write Effing Now on your favorite podcast platform:

    Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | PocketCasts | Breaker | RadioPublic