What makes you truly feel alive creatively? I have been reflecting on this question, and looking back on the experiences, moments, and relationships that have made up my year. I am the luckiest person in the world because I spend my days talking with writers and creators — those who believe in their unique creative voice, and take the risk to share it through their writing and art.
Years ago I worked with author Doug Sundheim, and he told me the story of a simple question he asks those he works with, as he helps them find a path toward growth. Here is an excerpt from a 2006 Fast Company article he wrote on the topic:
“Six years ago, while coaching a client, I stumbled upon a very important question. We were talking about the idea of living with “no regrets” when I asked him, “When in your life did you feel most alive?” He reflected for a moment and told me about the summer he overcame his fear of water and learned to sail. When he finished he was grinning ear-to-ear. Subsequently, I have asked hundreds of people the same question and have been struck by the similarity of their answers. In particular I’ve noticed 3 themes. (1) Nearly everyone describes a scenario in which they pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and took risks. (2) The OUTCOME of taking the risk is rarely the main thrust of the story – it’s usually the process of taking them that they remember most fondly. (3) When people finish their story, they’ve often got a big smile on their face.”
I’ve always remembered this because it reminds me of the work that writers do each day. When one writes and shares, they are doing two things at once:
- Expressing their unique creative voices, which is the most authentic thing we have.
- Taking a risk in sharing it with others, opening themselves up to judgement, or worse: being ignored.
I have been reviewing the work I have done with each client I’ve collaborated with this year, considering their growth, milestones reached, and the moments that have mattered to them on their journey. I do this for several reasons:
- To consider the outcomes that move the needed to bring fulfillment and joy to writers.
- To improvement my systems and processes to best serve writers and creators next year.
- To honor the writers and creators who inspire me.
Today I’m going to share some of what I have experienced this year working with these writers, and some important lessons I’ve been considering in the process.
This is often what my days look like, talking with writers via phone, Zoom, or the internet:
I’m going to be honest: this was a somewhat overwhelming post to write. I spent hours reviewing the work I have done with writers, quotes they shared with me about the value of our work together, and considering where they are now and where they are going next.
This kind of analysis and reflection can at times fill me with a huge sense of impostor syndrome. I always want to improve my processes and deliver more value to writers. I love this work, and view it as a craft. My intention today is simply to share the reality of why I think this work matters, and how you can find a path to growth and momentum in your writing and goals.
This year I’ve worked with people across genres and topics — fiction, nonfiction, memoir, author/illustrators — and so much else. Some are traditionally published, others hybrid, some self-published, and others are still earlier in their writing career, and have not yet decided on a path. Some aren’t focused on books, but rather growing their Substack, or how to integrate their writing goals with their existing businesses, or vice versa in using their writing as a springboard to launch a business. Some of these writers and creators are seasoned pros, while others are just stepping into the idea of being writers.
Before we begin, a reminder to please join me next Friday December 13th for a free workshop: “The 10 Traits of Writers Who Reach Their Readers.” In this workshop, I’ll share key insights I have learned working directly with writers for all these years, focusing in on the differences between those who truly make progress in reaching their readers vs. those who seem to spin their wheels, stuck in the mud, never reaching their goals. The live Zoom event is Friday December 13th at 1pm ET. If you can’t make it live, a recording will be sent to all who register. You can register here!
Okay, let’s dig in to today’s topic…
Going Deep to Find One’s Voice
One theme that came up again and again with writers I have worked with is the power of going deep to find one’s voice. This applies as much to an experienced writer (someone with multiple books and a solid platform) as with someone who is just starting out.
As we evolve as individuals, so may our voice, or a new phase or season of our work. One of my clients this year had published a book years ago, along with blogs and social media posts. But now she is coming out of a dormant period in her writing, and she said reflected on this change because of our work: “I feel excited, I feel energized.” I mean, isn’t that what we all want?
This is the feeling that comes from clarity in one’s voice, of defining one’s messaging, of identifying the channels to use, and in setting a publishing strategy. And of course, of being in conversation with one’s readers.
To some degree, this can come down to a deep sense of permission. Many writers and creators eschew the idea of sharing and marketing because they worry it somehow means they have “sold out,” or it would present them as “self-involved,” or they worry they don’t have the right credentials. But I see sharing as a wonderful part of the process that completes our visions as writers or creators.
One client described the transformation she went through in our work as: “You are removing the ick factor for marketing. When I get off the phone with you, and it’s one less ick.”
This kind of transformation often this comes across as a feeling, not a metric. To have a sense of finding one’s voice, and a path forward. Another writer put it this way: “Our work has unleashed my imagination – it feels like I have permission to be me.”
But this isn’t just about vibes, it is also about growth and getting serious about the business of publishing. This is how another writer put it: “I feel really good, I feel less anxious and more strategic.” Having a strategy can be a real gamechanger in finding momentum in how one’s writing reaches readers.
Taking the Risk to Publish and Share
In terms of helping writers launch their work, again and again this year I have helped them prepare for book launches or prepare to launch their Substack. It’s common for me to help a writer develop their launch strategy for a book well ahead of publication day, often 12+ months ahead of time. So this year has been fun to see writers launch books who I had worked with earlier in the year, or possibly in 2023 or 2022.
This is where ideas and planning really meet the reality of getting the work done. It’s one thing to write down, “send out my book to influencers,” or “pitch myself as a guest on podcasts,” or “run a giveaway” — and something else entirely to plan that in detail, identify who you hope to work with, make the pitch, and share these things publicly.
Is it scary? Sometimes.
But in that risk is where the magic happens. It’s still amazing to me that people choose to write and publish books at all. It asks so much of you, and often a writer is putting so much of themselves out there for the world to see, judge, or ignore.
But it is also where you are able to honor your values and reach the hearts of readers. I have been working with Jennifer Griffith on her book launch, and she has been sharing about the experience.
Her memoir, Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment, is a powerful story of her family. At her book launch event, she brought her mom on stage, saying: “This book is about my mom. The universe tried to knock her down her whole life, and she survived, and I always had a vision people would applaud her. We can you do that now.”
This was the event:
And look how proud Jennifer is of her mom. She told me, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
She describes the power of publishing this book: “My book is written to show you the power our mothers and maternal lineage have on the shape of our lives. To also demonstrate that everyone has a story to tell. Every story, no matter how ordinary, has value. Something happens when you write a book; at some point, it is no longer about you. Your story is not your own… The other day, someone asked me, “Why do you think your life is worth a memoir?” “Because I’ve lived,” I responded.”
Multiple readers have told her already: “This is the book I needed to read at this time.” “I needed to feel these things — the loss, the pain, and the hope.”
This is why we take the risk to write, publish, and share.
Having Stamina to Keep Going
What’s fascinating to watch are the writers I worked with years ago, and see how they and their work evolves. Earlier this week I was talking with former client KJ Dell’Antonia. Recently I was cleaning my studio and found early copies of books she had sent me. On the bottom is an early draft of How to Be a Happier Parent (from 2018), and on top is an advanced reader copy of her novel The Chicken Sisters (from 2020), with little drawings on the side that KJ illustrated:
She had a big year in 2024, with Hallmark Channel releasing a TV series based on the book!
Looking at this, it would be easy to think that KJ just moves from success to success, always in an upward trajectory. In talking with writers everyday, I know this isn’t often the case. When we spoke earlier this week, KJ told me about her latest book that she has spent so long working on. Her next step with it? To put it in a box, and move on to writing her next book. After lots of writing, editing, and collaboration with her trusted partners, she decided this book just wasn’t going to work, and it wasn’t going to be salvageable.
This is the part of writer’s journey that you don’t always see. That her biggest wins can be paired with her biggest creative challenges. Yet, she keeps going. In our chat, KJ and I talked about what 2025 had in store for her, of course, filled with ideas and plans.
From Stuck to Momentum
Every writer I work with is unique. It is my goal to meet the writer where they are, and customize my system and our collaboration for their needs.
Sometimes what someone needs is a new idea to help them break out of a rut. A writer I was working with asked me a question and I sent her a video reply with an idea, and she responded: “If I had to sit in front of my keyboard for ten years thinking about that question, I wouldn’t have arrived at your answer. Thank you! Very profound!”
Here are some recent testimonials from writers I’ve worked with:
“Dan was an essential support in my two book launches. I hadn’t published in ten years so I needed an in-depth education on everything from social media to author photos to websites. He’s the best thought partner I’ve ever worked with. I especially appreciated how he let me find my own direction but gave me excellent perimeters to guide my choices. Because of my own experience in marketing I chose to go with his services over a traditional publicist. Best choice I made.” — Mary Carroll Moore
“Working on my first book and being completely new to the industry, I was lost on how to make the transition from unknown amateur writer to professional aspiring author with a public profile and extended reach. My writing coach suggested I work with Dan, and it has been unbelievably helpful for me. He helped me to overcome major mindset challenges that were holding me back, such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, concerns about running out of content or being “too much” for people. From Dan I learnt the importance of keeping the reader front of mind in whatever I share while staying true to my story and purpose. I now see ideas for inspiration everywhere, and feel excited to share from my heart and my experience with confidence and clarity. I would absolutely recommend anyone who needs help building their author marketing strategy and platform to work with Dan.” — Ruhie Vaidya
“Working with Dan has really helped me gain clarity and professional direction as an author and cartoonist. His focus on authentic connection, individualistic approach, and deep empathy really stood out to me. I’ve always struggled with narrowing down my focus, but Dan helped me clarify my core values, audience, voice, and areas of focus. Initially, I thought I wanted to lead workshops, but through our sessions, I realized comics coaching was a much better fit for me. Together, we created a plan that allows me to pursue this alongside my graphic novel work. Dan’s wisdom and experience in helping writers and artists is truly remarkable, and his passion for supporting others shines through.” — K. Woodman-Maynard
Where to Go From Here
Please let me know in the comments: what is one moment this year that you keep reflecting back on. Yes, this can relate specifically to your writing or creative work, but it can also be a moment outside of it.
Thank you for supporting my work. If you are looking for help in developing your platform, identifying and reaching your readers, or launching a book, I’m booking 2025 clients now! Take a look at this page of my website where I describe my services and share some case studies. If this feels like it may be a good fit, follow the instructions on the page to email me directly, I’ll send you a PDF that shares more details about my process.
Please join me for my free workshop next week: “The 10 Traits of Writers Who Reach Their Readers.”
Earlier this week I shared a 20-minute video for my paid subscribers: Planning For Creative Success: My Process of Being Intentional and Staying Grounded.
Thank you for being here with me.
-Dan