The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book

Novelist and creative writing coach Morris (Create Your Writing Life) provides a feast of bite-size information, exercises, and encouragement in this guide for aspiring authors. Each of its five parts consists of short, well-organized sections filled with exercises and strategies for dealing with obstacles to writing, such as facing up to the pesky voice of one’s inner critic. Part one considers the importance of developing the right mindset. Part two’s abundance of succinct tips reveals ways to start writing by creating personal prompts, using free-writing, and scheduling writing times. Morris’s tone in part three is direct, but gentle, in her practical suggestions for creating a work zone, committing to a writing practice, and staying on course to finish one’s project. Part four’s information about software and strategies for deciding on book format and organization are crisp, clear, and relevant. The final part dives into writing the first draft and contains tips on revision and marketing the finished product. Despite the title, the information Morris passes on about the writing process and publishing world, not to mention her useful checklists, are widely applicable, not just for the “busy woman.” Her insightful book should spark reflection and promote creativity in practically any writer. (Self-published.)