When I wrote my first bestseller, Talking to Heaven, I was inspired by a deep desire to share the truths I had learned in my conversations with Spirit – that death is an illusion, and our loved ones who pass are still very much with us. I knew in my heart that the world needed to hear my message and that millions would benefit from the insights that had been shared with me. Armed with that knowledge, I sat down at my desk, set my intention, and the words just flowed.

Fast forward to the present! With fourteen books behind me, I recently launched an online writer’s course, Awaken the Writer Within. We just completed the first session, where I had the privilege of coaching over 400 aspiring writers. There were so many talented people in the group working on everything from spiritual memoirs, fiction, books of poetry, and plays. It was so gratifying to help them bring their projects to fruition.

I noticed that no matter how diverse the content, there were a few words of advice that applied to just about everyone.

If you dream of launching a book, a poem, or a blog into the world, here are some things to remember:

Write with the reader in mind.
It’s true that we all have a story inside us, waiting to come out. But to write a book that makes a difference in the world, try flipping that idea around. In other words, write with your reader in mind. There are people in the world who need to hear your message – so as you write, put yourself in the space of communicating directly with them. When you do, the whole process becomes almost effortless.

Use this “sculptors tip.”
Have you ever gone to a museum and been mesmerized by the beautiful sculptures carved out of marble? If you’re like me, you wondered how anyone, no matter how gifted, could create something so lifelike out of a hard block of stone. I remember seeing Michelangelo’s David in Florence. I was in awe- I could almost see him breathing. Later I read something that stuck with me, and I believe it applies to every creative endeavor. The sculptor’s task is to carve and polish away everything that isn’t a part of their vision, so they can reveal the masterpiece within the stone.

I challenge you to be the sculptor of your own manuscript. As you write and edit, visualize the message you are trying to share, and remove everything that doesn’t support or enhance it for the reader. Specifically, I’d recommend “chipping away” anything that doesn’t engage the reader, like long monologues and personal thoughts or musings that don’t bring value to your audience. Instead, polish up detailed stories, insights and vivid examples that draw your reader in and make them want to keep reading!

Allow the universe to work through you.
Believe in your message, and as you work, put yourself in the mindset of writing a book that will be published. In fact, take it one step further and accept  your book has already been written and published, because in the spirit world, it already exists. It’s been created in another dimension, you just have to bring it through into the physical world.

Sounds like magic? It is! Don’t think writing your book as work – think if it as getting out of the way and allowing the universe to work through you.

If you have a story that you feel will resonate with others, I’d be honored to help deliver it to the world.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be opening up registration for my next group of writers. I’ll also be posting testimonials and book segments from some of the participants in the first session of Awaken the Writer Within. Stay tuned, your masterpiece is already there – waiting to be shared!