Expert Round-Up Topic: As an author, what would you do differently if you were starting today?
CRYSTAL ADAIR-BENNING
The truth is that I wouldn’t change a thing.
I started writing at 9 after tragedy struck and the grief got too heavy for my little self to carry. It was fun and grounding. It let me express my emotions in a way that verbal words never came easily. At 14 I started writing what would become a NYT bestselling book… for someone else. A young ghostwriter who just wanted the opportunity to write and who, without knowing better, got messed about with only a verbal contract and paid in… dog food. What sucked then became a superpower. I kept writing, working and creating with others (with iron clad contracts). The mess ups and misery along the way made me better. The trials and errors are what make me sought after. My books hit emotionally because I know what pain and joy feel like.
There’s no easy way to becoming a writer but to be one. Choose it. Every day. And keep writing. Through the pain, the joy, the fear. All of it. Feel it all. Write it all. Enjoy the journey.
Crystal Adair-Benning is an author, ghostwriter, and book coach.
@writewordmagic
STEPHANIE YUHAS
I’ve recently started over under my own name, and this was a hard win.
When my first nonfiction book was published, personal blogging was in vogue. My popular blog, American Goulash, led to a book deal, which led to development deals at Amazon Studios and HBO Max. However, using my real name also allowed everyone, from my romantic partner to my former pastor’s son’s roommate’s metamour, to send unsolicited feedback.
I let one person’s criticism (“You told and now we look bad!”) become the voice in my head. I hesitated, overthought, and created less freely. Years later, she admitted she had been jealous, which was big of her to do; most people don’t get that kind of closure. But by then, I had spent years feeling like I had to choose between authorship and personal relationships. Relationships won, and I regret it. I published dozens of projects under other people’s names because being a ghostwriter felt safer than being seen. I hadn’t done “the work” everyone is always yammering about.
Starting can feel like The Game of Life: one path requires an upfront investment; the other gets you moving sooner. Neither is free. With skill and persistence, you could build under a stage name and use the algorithm to reach an audience without needing to “seed” your content through friends and family like back in the day. A stage name, however, may cost you the continuity, recognition, and ownership of your public identity that your real name provides. And honestly, it’s really nice to have friends and family champion you! But your real name may require stronger boundaries and the ability to deal with anyone from your mom to stalkers summoned to your literal doorstep, Beetlejuice-style, by public visibility. Trying to be seen while remaining hidden is impossible, so choose wisely.
Stephanie Yuhas, Author
https://substack.com/@StephanieYuhas
AKSHAY BANSAL
As an author, if I were starting today, I’d focus on writing the book I’ve always wanted to read. I’d begin by researching and validating my ideas through articles on platforms like LinkedIn, testing my hypotheses and refining my arguments based on reader feedback.
When I wrote my book in 2016, the research process was laborious, involving reading numerous books and manually mapping content. Now, I’d create a research hypothesis, test it by writing articles, and validate it through reader responses. By combining these articles into a cohesive book, I’d save time and increase the likelihood of writing a well-received book. For instance, I’d write LinkedIn posts or blog articles to gauge interest and gather feedback. This approach would streamline the writing process and ensure the book resonates with my audience.
Akshay Bansal is the founder of Heuro and author of The Innovation Age.
MEIYOKO TAYLOR
As an author of both personal development and business books, I would have focused on outcome first experience second.
You want the reader to walk away with something that will immediately improve their life. A tool, a perspective or a simple framework. Personal experiences are what add credibility, relatability and connection as they read.
However, the main goal should always be “How will my reader be better after reading this book”.
This is the approach I’ve used for the past 7 years for everything I’ve written, and it’s led to more speaking engagements, clients and partnerships than I ever expected.
Meiyoko Taylor is an author, speaker, and leadership strategist.
MARIA CASSANO
As a massive introvert, this isn’t easy for me to admit, but I’d build a platform and connect with my audience before trying to publish. For 15 years, I wrote in isolation, edited in isolation, and queried in isolation… and I received nothing but rejections. Ultimately, I didn’t land my agent and secure my book deal because I finally wrote “the perfect book.” I landed my agent and secured my book deal because I got out there and proved people wanted to read what I had to say.
Pitching my memoir once I had several thousand followers on Medium was a whole different ball game. I had concrete proof that I could keep a reader’s attention and earn money from my story. I also had an ongoing stream of feedback, support, and inspiration. When you engage with your readers every single day, you learn how to tailor your perspective to benefit them. And let’s face it: Your memoir might be about your life, but no one’s going to buy it unless they’re getting something out of it, too.
Maria Cassano is an author and a professional writer/editor.
https://www.mariacassano.com/numb
REBECCA FORSTER
If I were to do anything differently it would be to stay true to one genre or focus. For the first ten years of my career, I wrote the story that popped into my head. That cost me dedicated readers. Instead of building a fan base, I was creating inventory that only I would read. I could not be counted on for creative consistency. Once I settled down into one genre, my career took off. I wish I had the internet when I started or listened more carefully to my editors. I would have made a conscious decision about my work, and I could have flattened my learning curve by many years.
Rebecca Forster, Author
https://www.rebeccaforster.com/
SHARON HENG
As I was working on the handbook, I did what every first-time scientific author does. I led with the science instead of the reader. Each chapter began with data and technical detail, and I assumed that the reader would follow, since the data was correct. It took a few comments from colleagues to realize that even veteran clinicians wanted the “so what” before the details.
If I were to start today, I would write one sentence before doing anything else to state the problem of the person I’m writing to, and why it matters. All paragraphs should serve that sentence or they go.
Most authors consider editing as a last step. This is not the correct sequence. Once I finished with the handbook revisions, I began cross-checking each paragraph with that anchor sentence and entire parts that seemed necessary no longer were needed. It’s much harder than it sounds but it actually creates writing that people can act upon.
The habit that I had established from day one is very simple. After reading each paragraph, ask yourself if it brings the reader closer to solving the problem. If not, trim it.
Sharon Heng is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and a contributor to Biomarkers in Diabetic Macular Oedema handbook for healthcare professionals.
https://www.retina-eye.co.uk/research
