Hey friend,

I hear these words all too often:

• “I’ve got 30,000 words written already, but I still need to figure out the structure/voice/audience.”
• “I’ve tried writing this book three times, but I need help.”
• “I wrote this manuscript, but I know it’s a mess.”

There’s one persistent myth in the world of writing that I believe has hurt aspiring book authors more than any other, and it’s the belief that you should “just start writing” your book. It’s the impression that authors open up a blank word document, type the words “Introduction” or “Chapter 1,” and they’re off to the races. It’s the attempt to write a book the way a printer prints a document: starting at the top and working its way down the page.

There's a better way to do it. Once I released the need to figure out all of the details from beginning to end, I realized I needed a bigger, more flexible way to play with ideas. Enter book maps!

What is a book map? A book map is a visual outline of all of the parts of your book/article/essay. You can create them with sticky notes on walls or poster boards, whiteboards, a big table, a window, or digital tools—anywhere you have lots of room to throw ideas and then move them around. (I’m not going to lie, working on giant pieces of paper or whiteboards is my favorite part!)

I'd love to walk you through how my friend Liz and I create book maps.

More for You

Reconnect with your creative self

I used to think I wasn't creative, because I can't draw. Seriously. When I was a kid, my entire definition of creativity hinged on the ability to draw something "better" than stick figures (now, I think: who says stick figures aren't creative?). So many of us grow up believing that we aren't creative, or that we've somehow lost our creativity. It isn't true. Your creative self is there; you just need to get back in touch with him/her.

That's why I'm so excited my friend Merideth is hosting a 13-week FREE class guiding creatives through Julia Cameron's seminal book, The Artist's Way. I've read The Artist's Way before, but in the hustle and bustle of work and entrepreneurship, I've felt a bit disjointed and disconnected. I'm looking for more joy and calm in 2023. If this sounds like something you might enjoy as well, you can register for her class here.

Currently Enjoying

• These 1962 recordings of Barbra Streisand live at Bon Soir when she was 20 years old!! Her rendition of “Cry Me a River” gives me goosebumps. Perfect for serenading in the shower!
• Snuggling with my cat while we watch the rain outside. There's nothing more cozy!

Happy reading and writing this weekend,

Ariel