The process of creating and writing a book is a bit like giving birth— there’s a lot we go through to get to that raw, honest truth. What are some of the hurdles that get in the way of creation? What is the first step we need to take to start writing that book? Why is it so important to not try to control the message that reveals itself?

On this episode, book coach and my book doula, Azul Terronez, shares on why everyone has a book (or two) in them, and how to extract that magic.

“Most people try to write as the editor and not the creator. That’s why they can’t get their message out.” -Azul Terronez

Things We Learned From This Episode

1. How to extract the essence of what we want to write (19:49 – 20:45)
When we’re thinking and reflecting, it takes the time and willingness to go deep to get to the real gold. In order to get to the emotionally triggered, meaningful things, it’s important to think longer than we usually give ourselves space to.

2. What makes a book special (21:18 – 23:38)
The hardest part of writing a book is looking into ourselves. What makes a book special isn’t the technical pieces in it. It’s what is in our souls, and what’s unique about us. That’s what people resonate with.

3. The first step to writing your book (28:33 – 29:49)
Empty your head and put the contents on paper. It gets rid of confusion and helps you find clarity. Most of the time you have more than one book sitting in your head at once, and you need to untangle those ideas. It will help you see the book differently and not worry about the book in your head anymore.

Writing a book is a vehicle of personal transformation, but in order for that to happen, we have to find our voice, figure out what we’re trying to say, and let it out. If we miss this step, we end up writing the book we think you should write, not the story we actually need to tell. It’s all about finding your message in your book, not finding it and then writing it. The process of extracting the message can’t be ruled by outlines and structures. It’s ruled by listening to our inner selves.

Guest Bio

Azul Terronez has been called a book whisperer and book doula. He helps authors and entrepreneurs write and publish books so they can create their brand, grow their audience, and increase their influence.

He is the CEO of Authors Who Lead™ and the host of the Born to Write Podcast and his TEDx has over 1.2 million views. You can check it out here: “What Makes a Good Teacher Great”

In addition to coaching Dana, he has also coached Pat Flynn from the Smart Passive Income Podcast and Jadah Sellner, the Co-Founder of Simple Green Smoothies.  

To get Azuls’s 5-day challenge to help get your book idea out of your head, go to https://coachazul.com/challenge/