SEVEN DISCIPLINESINDEPENDENT PUBLISHER

of the

Masters the CraftPractices Time on

Task

Discovers the Voice

Develops Creativity

Exploits Technology

Embraces Marketing

Engages Community

One

Three

Two

FourFive

Six

Seven

Practicing Time on Task

One

Practices Time on

TaskOne

John Medina“Multitasking, when it comes to paying attention, is a myth. The brain naturally focuses on concepts sequentially, one at a time.”Brain Rules ”

“

David AllenWhen mental space has too many distractions and unmanaged agreements and loops, flow is limited. Clear the pipes and you attract and foster new productive thinking that almost happens by itself.Ready for Anything ”

“

David AllenKeeping uncaptured, unclarified, and unprocessed things in our minds creates unnecessary stress.

Ready for Anything ”“

Planning & Goal Setting

Planning & Goal Setting

Steffan NötebergProspects for getting into flow are much better when rested, seated, and focused, than when you are just hanging around and waiting for inspiration.The Pomodoro Technique ”

“

The big idea

Getting down to work is a discipline that must be planned daily.

It requires a commitment to execution and the development of good habits.

The majority of people don’t do it.

Action Steps

Nightbeforelists25

minutesblocks

Set SMARTgoals.

Put things on paper

Getgood habits.

Measure success

Mastering the Craft

Mastering the Craft

The SentenceGrammarstructureresearch

plotcharacterpunctuation

dialogue

style Scenes

subtext

imagery

foreshadowing

Anne LamottEveryone I know flails around, kvetching and growing despondent, on the way to finding a plot and structure that work. You are welcome to join the club.

Bird by Bird ”“

Anne Lamott“Do it every day for a while,” my father kept saying. “Do it as you would do scales on the piano. Do it by prearrangement with yourself. Do it as a debt of honor. And make a commitment to finishing things.”

Bird by Bird ”“

Anne LamottWriting this way is a littlelike milking a cow: the milkis so rich and delicious, and thecow is so glad you did it.

Bird by Bird

“”

Ted WittSome see success as a chickenor egg question. I say, if your desireto be published exceeds your desireto write, you will never bepublished.

Pretty Road Press

“”

Cathy BryantAs he told her that he loved her, she gazed into his eyes, wondering, as she noted the infestation of eyelash mites, the tiny demodicids burrowing into his follicles to eat the greasy sebum therein, each female laying up to 25 eggs in a single follicle, causing inflammation, whether the eyes are truly the windows of the soul; and, if so, his soul needed regrouting.

Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, 2012 Winner ”“

The big idea

Writing well requires writing practice.

Successful writers must masterstory structure.

Story structure translates to most all genres and to marketing efforts.

Action Steps

Deconstruct books & films

Daily writingregimen

Outline your project

Rewrite

ReadMeasure success

Developing Creativity

One

Your brain on auto pilot

The big idea

Every person has the capacityto be creative.

Creativity requires you to trick your brain.

Creativity, like writing, requires hard work and practice.

Kinds Properties Processes Forms

Fiction Audio Books Acquire Mss. Coffee Table

Non-Fiction Color Manufacture Newsletter

Classics Texture Sales/Marketing Anthology

How-To Social Respon. Distribution Software

Business Illustrations Software Hardback

Textbook Paper Type Remaindering Paperback

Children’s Smell Advertising Premium

Religion Puzzles Length of Time Magazine

Mystery Taste Knowledge LooseLeaf

Sports Shape Design Format Combo Package

From Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko (Ten Speed Press)

From Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko (Ten Speed Press)

SubstituteCombineAdaptModify or MagnifyPut to other UseEliminate or MinifyReverse or Rearrange

Action Steps

Askwhat-ifquestions

Get your can-doattitude

Study thebrain

Use a proven approach Keep

a log

Acceptfailure

Discovering Voice

The big idea

Readers can tell when you arefaking it.

Voice is the passion and belief behind your writing.

Finding voice requires self-examination and questioning.

Action Steps

Writefor yourselffirst

Stopcopying

Challengeyouropinions.

Use yourown words Prove

it.

Beconfident

Engaging Community

The big idea

No author or publisher is successful working alone.

Writing and reading are social exercises.

Engaging in “community” is theonly way to get read.

Action Steps

Askforfeedback

Studypeople

Attendmeetings

Developa network

Reviewothers

Saythank you

Embracing Marketing

Seth GodinOn social media: How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?www.SethGodin.com ”

“

Examples

A Web Page for ContentDistinguish yourselves as a resource for people

SOCIAL MEDIAFacebookMake annuncements, provide tips, and interact with readers; pose questions; have conversations

Linked InEstablish page so people know your credentials

Blogging CommentsComment on other blogs with meaningul messages; it raises your visability as a person who has valuable things to say

VideosStart creating videos to supplement what you write.. You Tube is the 2nd largest search engine

TwitterTag your comments to major events; build followers who trust your brand

Real Simple Syndication Allow readersto get our new content via syndication, so articles are delivered automatically to a reader

The big idea

Marketing takes as much time,effort, and money as creating the book.

Successful marketing is not about publicity, but about meeting readers’ needs, wants, and emotions.

Marketing is about targeted repetition.

Action Steps

Developa plan

Budgetheavily formarketing

I.D.readerbenefits.

Tellstories

Targetmessages

Repeat,Repeat, repeat

Exploiting Technology

The big idea

Think of technology as you do your pen; it’s just a tool.

You must have a basic understanding of what tools exist, not necessarily master them all.

The more tools you exploit, the more profitable you will be.

ErikQualman

Companies need to focus on providing content and tools to consumers, which is the opposite of traditional marketing. Instead of providing consumers with a one-way communication stream, companies today need to focus on supplying something of value.Socialnomics, by Erik Qualman, Published by John Wiley & Sons ”

“

Action Steps

Publishan e-book;learn ePub

Learn one program well

Set upan onlinereader.

ReadMashable Get a

Kindle

Become expert in one social medium

Stories & Examples

Action Steps

Nightbeforelists25

minutesblocks

Set SMARTgoals.

Put things on paper

Getgood habits.

Measure success