27: Writing Guidance from a Writing Coach with Meredith Byrd

Dear Indie Author

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Shonda Ramsey hosts Meredith Byrd, a writing coach and writer, discussing the self-publishing process and the benefits of having a book coach. Meredith shares her experience from teaching to coaching, emphasizing the importance of SMART goals and weekly intention setting for writers. She offers a subscription service for accountability and motivation, using strategies like Pomodoro timers and word sprints. Meredith also highlights the value of resources like Lisa Cron's "Story Genius" and Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird." Upcoming projects include an online blueprint workshop starting in May. Meredith advises writers to seek a supportive community and to balance their writing with other commitments.

Connect with Meredith:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wordswell_coaching

Threads: www.threads.com/wordswell_coaching

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wordswellwriting

Website: www.wordswellwriting.com

Meredith’s Bio:

Meredith Byrd has been fascinated by stories ever since she was a child and tried to start a storytelling business with her siblings as clients.

Since then, she has spent a lifetime learning how to write stories that she and others love. Earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from George Mason University, she began teaching stories storytelling, grammar and composition to students in Virginia and Texas.

She loves helping authors of diverse experiences and perspectives create a writing life that is empowered and impactful. She is driven by community-minded, collaborative efforts to learn and grow and share stories. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and son.

Meredith’s Letter to You:

Dear Indie Author,

I know how hard it can feel, to have a dream and to be doing it all on your own. Sometimes it's literally ALL on your own, from writing the book to designing the cover and then figuring out how to market the book you love! It's a passion but also a business and there are so many people telling you different things you need to be successful that sometimes you might want to just put your head down and stop doing it. I've been there too. Wondering if you're writing about the stuff that will actually sell, if you should try to query after all, and if the editor you hired is a good fit. All of it feels like too much.

I'm not going to tell you how to be successful. But I am going to tell you that being persistent in your work, and actively seeking a community by showing up, joining or creating one is going to make this passion project job a whole lot more like what it should be-- fun and fulfilling. I wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams and a community that supports those dreams.

Meredith