"A copy editor reads the entire manuscript while checking for many things: incorrect grammar, spelling, and punctuation; spacing and basic formatting issues; effective writing techniques such as word choice, parallel construction, passive voice over active voice, limited repetitions and clichés, avoiding vague or offensive language; and consistency of spelling and treatment of names, places, objects, actions, etc." Continue reading

In fact, if you don't prove you have an established platform, with thousands of possible readers, traditional publishers won't even talk to you. No matter how great your proposal is. Oh, yeah, I forgot - before you do or prove any of the above to a traditional publisher, you have to prove you can sell the book and earn back your royalty for the advance. At which time, they will are likely to Continue reading

The subject was about our service men and women. A story of how Trish had met a solider on a plane and decided to help him with his hands. But he said, he couldn't take her help. The reason why will make you cry. Continue reading

In my work, I talk with would-be authors, and new start-ups - generally solopreneurs - who are holding on to the past as if it will keep them from hanging themselves on the future. Somehow they believe past performance is a predictor of future earnings. While it's good to reflect on the past, it's never good to live there. Paul shares his epiphany at around 11 minutes in - the only tense if future tense. It's an arrow in flight and you want to grab it and shake it into what you want it to be. Continue reading

What does being one of "those people" even mean? It means, like my kids, but especially my eldest, Chloe (pronounced Kl-oh... not Klo-e, thank you very much) who began her entrepreneur's life as a bookkeeper, Pam is a numbers person. She makes poetry with numbers. She reads your tea leaves in numbers. She looks at your palm and tells you the future in numbers. Continue reading

A copy editor does not squash out your voice. That’s not our job. Our job is to make sure you know the rules so you can choose which ones help comprehension of your book and which ones you want to purposely break. Continue reading

Mitali Deypurkaystha, aka "the Authority Creator," is a former ghost writer turned book coach. This woman brings her years of dopy writing and ghost writing experience to her work with clients who are writing a book but need that extra, professional help. Continue reading

But, writing a book is a big venture. Writing a book that will be a product for your business, representing you and your work, is not something to take lightly. Continue reading

Of course, we didn't limit ourselves. The avatar was merely to get us comfortable with how the company was going to grow a community of fans, eager to buy and share and support us. And we had to start somewhere, right? Starting with a detailed, well-thought-out description of our ideal customer got us into the station wagon and ready for our journey. Continue reading

What makes up a Smart Woman? Women I invite to be on Smart Conversations? Well, first, they're smart. Next, they're approachable. Next, they have a message, a purpose, a story. And they want to share it with you. And they understand the concept of reinvention because they're been there, done that, wore the T-shirt out. Continue reading

I've had the pleasure to talk with dozens of amazingly smart women, over the years. I've done some of that in Smart Conversations, here on Nurturing Big Ideas. Other times, the conversations were with folks interviewing me. Still other times, I served on a panel of experts. During all of it, I have been blessed with new friendships, great learning, and insight into the many ways we ladies reinvent ourselves, over and over again. Today's post is a convocation - the word for a group of eagles, and make no bones about it, these women soar like eagles - for your viewing and listening pleasure. Continue reading

After years of struggling as an introvert, Tracey gradually overcame this #2 fear in business by trial and error. Gathering her own field-tested experience over 30 years, along with scientific research, her FEMININE FORMULA FOR EFFECTIVE SMALL TALK came into being. It fits the way women naturally connect and build relationships. Continue reading

This is why I asked Kae to be on Smart Conversations. She knows story. She bowled me over with her description of "cave man" storytelling! I almost fell off my chair! So brilliant! Continue reading

I learned it's good to look pretty. No, I don't mean run out to the beauty parlor. Or rush out to get a haircut. Or, put on your party duds. I mean, take a shower. Comb your hair. If you wear make-up, put it on. If you have a button down shirt, wear it. Continue reading

The post got me thinking because... my Mom isn't here any longer. Nor is my Dad. Neither Dad. Yes, I had two dads. It happens. My step-Dad passed so many years ago, I don't even remember the date. I only remember how he suffered and how angry I was that he wasn't going to be around for many more years. Continue reading

Who is behind the "you" that shows up at networking events. You need to tell a story, not give a report. Too many first authors give a report - they act as outside eyeballs giving a word by word description of what happened here or there, and when. Continue reading

I would love it if we could rely on the advice and insight of family and friends, but the truth is so different. These are not the people to trust when it comes to deciding to write a book. Their opinions will be suspect. Yes, share and discuss and take their thoughts to heart. But don't believe them when they say, "Yes, that's a great idea! It's going to be a best-seller!" Continue reading

Ladies, look carefully at your success and be proud of what you've accomplished. Now, share it. Because that's what you're doing when you write a book. You're sharing. Everyone knows sharing is caring. By writing your success story down, you inspire so many other women who are struggling, maybe just the way you struggled, way back when. You inspire these women to keep going, because you become an example, a mentor, a vision of the success they could achieve, if they keep moving forward the way you did. Continue reading

This woman is a powerhouse. She wasn't one to sit and wait for life to open a door for her, she gathered her courage and created the right opportunities, just by being herself. It's easy for us to say, "Go do it." I've talked about that before - the people who say "go do it" often seem so removed from the questions and worries of the people they are shouting at. Here's the key, sometimes, "go do it" means, learn how. Continue reading

As time went on, I moved my focus from my writing, to your writing. I discovered I enjoyed helping other writers become authors. I wrote a book. I published it through print-on-demand. I was unhappy with the experience. I started my own publishing company. I became a book coach. Continue reading

The corporate ladder is a commonly known analogy in the American workplace. It’s representative of honest and hard work to secure a prosperous life and achieve upward mobility. In short, it’s the American Dream. Continue reading

An Editor Turns Blah Into Beautiful That's a bold statement. I make it for a reason - in my work with clients I often see places where word choice could be improved. It's not merely a matter of helping them choose the right word, it's helping them choose the best word. It could be a word that is more powerful or a word that adds subtlety. And, I am passionate about word order - is the word in the right place in the sentence? Is the sentence in the right place in the paragraph? Is the paragraph in the right place on the page? Continue reading

If you have the life and work experience to lend a helping hand to people looking for answers, I ask you to do so. Write the book! Continue reading

If you're contemplating writing a book about any of that - a book you will want to take on the road in 2021 to speaking engagements (on the road being via Zoom most likely, but on the road, nonetheless), I'd like to work with you as you create your book. To get you started, here are some of the books from Nurturing Big Ideas. Continue reading

Waste happens at all stages of the supply chain from the cutting room, over production and then consumer behavior. 15% of all textiles produced end up on the cutting room floor! (this was eye-opening) 100 billion clothing products are manufactured annually (40% of which are marked down). On average in the US – people throw away 70lbs of clothing/person/year. (who finds this a bit shocking? I do) Continue reading