Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writing coach who specializes in coaching writers who are introverted, intuitive, and highly sensitive. I work with writers who are in all stages of writing, whether they’re still working on the first rough draft, or need help figuring out how to get their book out into the world.
The INFJ Writer is my first book, although I’ve been coaching writers for many years.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called The INFJ Writer and I was inspired to write it by my clients, almost all of who are of the INFJ or INFP personality type. Through my coaching practice, I found that intuitive writers have a great amount of difficulty following traditional writing methods. Writing every day zaps their energy, they gain inspiration from more unconventional people and situations, and they need to incorporate a level of self-care that is much higher than the average writer.
My book, The INFJ Writer, was written for all those introverted, intuitive, highly sensitive writers out there who can’t afford full-scale coaching, but need help, guidance, and support to make their writing dreams come true.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t believe that writers need to write every day to keep themselves in shape. I write once a week, for one hour or two, and that’s it. I’ve produced six books this way over a period of seven years, which is not a bad average.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tara Brach, the Buddhist pyschotherapist who wrote Radical Acceptance, is a phenomenal writer and idol of mine. I also love Jack Kornfield and Louise Hay, both have inspired me beyond words.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my next project, which is publishing my memoir of the years I spent in Seattle battling alcohol addiction and living a very colorful life.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had the most success on Twitter, but I think that’s because I love Twitter and always have. I find it very easy to make new friends on Twitter and find new work by authors I’ve never heard of before. There are a lot of fantastic people on Twitter who are interested in making connections and forming community.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice is a piece of advice that authors and artists usually are not all that thrilled to hear: Learn how to sell. Read books, do research online, attend classes or seminars, pick whatever way sounds the most appealing to you, it doesn’t matter. But learn how to sell. Learning the art of salesmanship will not corrupt your values or change the person you are. What it will do is greatly increase your success of getting your books into the hands of new readers who are just waiting to read something by a writer like you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m paraphrasing here, but the best advice I’ve ever heard came from Steve Jobs. He said, “Things really start to change for you when you wake up and look around and realize that this whole world was created by people who are no smarter than you. You CAN manipulate your own reality.” I truly believe that.
What are you reading now?
I just finished a memoir of a Native American holy man called “Lame Deer: Seeker of Visions,” which was excellent and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’m also in the middle of The Lime Twig by John Hawkes and The 16 Laws of Success by Napoleon Hill.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have three memoirs that I’ve already written that I’m planning to self-publish. I also have two novels to publish after that. I’m currently expanding my coaching practice and taking on new clients, and I’m planning to write a book on How to Coach (how to become self-employed as a coach) and a money book for artists and writers who are still struggling with the money piece in their lives.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Morgan’s Passing by Anne Tyler, IT by Stephen King, Memoirs of Hadrian by Maguerite Yourcenar, and Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.
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