5 Simple Lessons to Help Today's Conservative Leaders Write Their Inspirational Books
"When working with me as your Coach, one of the first questions I will ask is, 'What is that story that nearly killed you?'"
For more than a decade, I've had the pleasure of working with new and aspiring authors who had hard, difficult stories.
Yet they also had a calling on their life to minister effectively to other people.
Over the years, as I developed my system to help these authors craft their compelling stories, I realized most of them struggled to speak about the very issue that caused them so much pain.
Whether it was a public divorce, an arrest, an abortion, molestation, or anything else, my authors found themselves tripping over words because the wounds were still there.
I know this feeling all too well, because it was something I encountered as I took time to write my second memoir, To My Beloveds. There's a portion in the middle of my story where I actually found myself crying again, because memories of my trauma resurfaced.
Recently, I held a powerful training session in Chicago, Illinois with a fresh group of Black Conservatives and Republicans. While they came to hear me speak, I adjusted the training so I could hear them talk.
I told them that our session was about the power of our story and how we got into this Black Conservative space.
And let me tell you, the stories were truly powerful.
One woman described how she was once a teenage mother growing up in the projects around a drug-addicted mother. She told us how she contemplated abortion, but soon realized the baby in her womb was not at fault for her mistakes.
This same woman talked about entering a domestically-violent marriage as well.
And she testified that through all this, God kept her and brought her to this conservative platform to help other families build strong social empires.
Today, she is happily married to another man. She is the mother of four beautiful children. She's been brought to the bigger spotlight within conservatism; and she brings a firebrand Kingdom message wherever she goes.
Her name is Latasha Fields, and if you watch her right now on social media, you would never think she had such a dark, hard past.
As I listened to her tell her brief story, I thought to myself, I need this woman to package her story in book format.
You see, being in the forefront, it's easy for people to assume our lives are perfect or that we've never been through any hell because we don't wear burnt cloaks. We don't smell of lasting flames. Clearly, we show we've been washed or purified.
And often times, that gives people the impression that we "have arrived" and cannot feel the pain of others because we are "famous."
When I launched my virtual platform in 2016, I targeted this mindset within the public because I knew the Holy Spirit was going to use "the least of these" to carry out His assignment during this end-time revival and reformation.
I went "fishing for men and women" who had been hiding in their caves because their stories were filled with such hurt, pain, and darkness. And I wanted to give them confidence in knowing they could fulfill their calling, regardless of their hard, controversial story.
And I proved daily.
I continue proving this work can be done on a national level.
Each day on social media, I showed up with the Kingdom message. I triggered the religious folk. I brought accurate insight to millions online. And each time my message pierced people's heart, it angered them.
That's when the smears popped off.
And most of the time, I kept quiet about it until I was ready to speak again.
I did this to prove to rising leaders that they could walk boldly in their calling; and when people tried to use their stories against them, God would give them a new tactic to combat the attacks while still delivering the empowering message.
But to do so means each leader must learn to embrace their stories.
All of them.
Even the ones that bring them the most shame.
There is power in our testimony, for this is one tool we use to overcome the enemy.
And one of the best strategies for owning our stories is to construct them cohesively and concisely in book format.
For one, this helps leaders like you make sense of their stories while also discovering ways to turn them into a tool that empowers others.
I know this to be true because I implemented this strategy in my own virtual ministry.
When people Google my name and then approach me about my case, I don't fumble with my words or cower under their pressure.
Why?
Because I have already constructed the narrative, which can be backed by evidence. And then I tell folks, "If you want to know my story, buy the book."
Sometimes people respond favorably, and other times people respond stupidly.
But it doesn't change who I am, what I'm called to do, and the message I've been asked to deliver.
I am resolute in my story, because I watched God do something no man could ever do for me. There's no way I will ever feel shame for observing His display of great power.
Beloveds who have actually purchased my memoir have been blessed, too, because I used my story to give them encouragement, strength, and confidence to walk in their greatness.
Again, that's the power of storytelling and book publishing. And it's one of the reasons I tell Conservative Leaders to write their books now.
When you own your story, no one can use it against you.
When you own your story, you become uncancellable.
When you own your story and give it to the right people, it will open doors for you while also bringing deliverance to others.
And if you're considering this option as a part of your rising platform, here are a few quick lessons to help you get started:
Step 1: Have a Story Worth Publishing
We each have a story, and often times our stories are just what others need in order to succeed. One of the lessons I instill in my clients is this: Often times, the experiences we encounter give us a clear indication of the people we are called to empower.
I know in my personal experience, I've ministered most effectively to Beloveds who have scandalous stories. I also have a keen ability to empower "the least of these," because I know the Holy Spirit will use anyone who says "yes" to His will. The lessons I learned through first-hand experiences have given me credibility among the audience I serve; and my skills as a writing coach empower them to take their stories and build movements, ministries, or online businesses that impact the world.
In your case, I want you to think about what makes your story unique. How do your experiences allow you to instill hope into others who may be going through a similar situation? What lessons did you learn and how can they lead others towards victory?
Select that pivotal story -- that story that nearly killed you -- and frame your entire book around it. I guarantee it will inspire your readers.
Step 2: Hire a Skilled Writing Coach, Content Editor, and Proofreader
Unless you've spent significant years honing your writing craft, you will need an expert who can look at your work objectively. Often times, when new authors complete their manuscript, they immediately assume the work will be marketable.
But that's not how this publishing process works.
The benefits of working with an expert is she will show you how to position yourself appropriately within the market. She will give you ideas on how to frame your story so that it makes an indelible impression on your readers' hearts. She will ensure your content flows well for the consumer; and lastly, she will ensure the content is clean of errors.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to hire someone skilled in writing and one who has spent significant years in this publishing industry. Hiring such an expert will be the most expensive part within this publishing process; but the value you acquire will last for the lifetime of your writing ministry.
Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts
Now that you have an idea of what your book will entail, how will you put it together?
There are so many writers who believe it’s OK to jump into writing a book without giving thought to its organization and structure. This is a major mistake I witness among new authors; and when training my clients, I teach them to think of their book as a compilation of tiny parts.
Firstly, they must know the main theme or purpose of their book. Next, they need to consider their ideal reader and audience. Following, they need to consider the book's format. In other words, do they want to create a devotional? A manual? A novel? A self-help book? The more structure added to one's work during the planning phase, the easier it is to construct the book's content.
Step 4: Begin Your Research
Within my newest publishing school, I spend extensive time teaching my clients about the value of research.
When it comes to producing a book that will astound your readers, you want to present a product that contains valuable, empowering materials that will transform their lives; and most of the time, your best ideas will emerge after you've conducted research on your book's main topic.
One of the advantages to researching your topic is that you can find a way to give readers what others have yet to provide. Your book can fill a particular gap in the market, and this will enable your work to stand out.
The benefit of conducting your research is that you will inevitably become an expert on your topic, thereby building credibility and credence to your political professionalism and writing career. This can open doors to many other opportunities; but only when you make the effort to provide the best value to your readers.
Step 5: Begin Writing Your Manuscript
This step will coincide with the previous steps. Now that you have the content and research, break your topic into other subtopics that will serve as the book's chapters. Once you have generated enough information for your readers, you can re-evaluate your manuscript, ensuring whether or not your content has met your book's mission.
This year, I am excited to launch our newest book publishing program for rising Conservative Leaders who are ready to make their mark.
As I said in a previous lesson, every leader needs to publish a book.
In this new program, I've taken all the lessons I used to empower my previous clients and tailored them specifically to Beloveds like you.
Announcing The Write Conservative Book Publishing School.
I invite you to take time to learn more about the program and consider it as a new investment in your political career.
If you intend to function in your grace in this conservative political space, you need to publish your story.
And you need expert advice from a Coach who has proven such feats can be done, regardless of your story.
Learn more about "The Write Conservative"
For more than a decade, I've had the pleasure of working with new and aspiring authors who had hard, difficult stories.
Yet they also had a calling on their life to minister effectively to other people.
Over the years, as I developed my system to help these authors craft their compelling stories, I realized most of them struggled to speak about the very issue that caused them so much pain.
Whether it was a public divorce, an arrest, an abortion, molestation, or anything else, my authors found themselves tripping over words because the wounds were still there.
I know this feeling all too well, because it was something I encountered as I took time to write my second memoir, To My Beloveds. There's a portion in the middle of my story where I actually found myself crying again, because memories of my trauma resurfaced.
Recently, I held a powerful training session in Chicago, Illinois with a fresh group of Black Conservatives and Republicans. While they came to hear me speak, I adjusted the training so I could hear them talk.
I told them that our session was about the power of our story and how we got into this Black Conservative space.
And let me tell you, the stories were truly powerful.
One woman described how she was once a teenage mother growing up in the projects around a drug-addicted mother. She told us how she contemplated abortion, but soon realized the baby in her womb was not at fault for her mistakes.
This same woman talked about entering a domestically-violent marriage as well.
And she testified that through all this, God kept her and brought her to this conservative platform to help other families build strong social empires.
Today, she is happily married to another man. She is the mother of four beautiful children. She's been brought to the bigger spotlight within conservatism; and she brings a firebrand Kingdom message wherever she goes.
Her name is Latasha Fields, and if you watch her right now on social media, you would never think she had such a dark, hard past.
As I listened to her tell her brief story, I thought to myself, I need this woman to package her story in book format.
You see, being in the forefront, it's easy for people to assume our lives are perfect or that we've never been through any hell because we don't wear burnt cloaks. We don't smell of lasting flames. Clearly, we show we've been washed or purified.
And often times, that gives people the impression that we "have arrived" and cannot feel the pain of others because we are "famous."
When I launched my virtual platform in 2016, I targeted this mindset within the public because I knew the Holy Spirit was going to use "the least of these" to carry out His assignment during this end-time revival and reformation.
I went "fishing for men and women" who had been hiding in their caves because their stories were filled with such hurt, pain, and darkness. And I wanted to give them confidence in knowing they could fulfill their calling, regardless of their hard, controversial story.
And I proved daily.
I continue proving this work can be done on a national level.
Each day on social media, I showed up with the Kingdom message. I triggered the religious folk. I brought accurate insight to millions online. And each time my message pierced people's heart, it angered them.
That's when the smears popped off.
And most of the time, I kept quiet about it until I was ready to speak again.
I did this to prove to rising leaders that they could walk boldly in their calling; and when people tried to use their stories against them, God would give them a new tactic to combat the attacks while still delivering the empowering message.
But to do so means each leader must learn to embrace their stories.
All of them.
Even the ones that bring them the most shame.
There is power in our testimony, for this is one tool we use to overcome the enemy.
And one of the best strategies for owning our stories is to construct them cohesively and concisely in book format.
For one, this helps leaders like you make sense of their stories while also discovering ways to turn them into a tool that empowers others.
I know this to be true because I implemented this strategy in my own virtual ministry.
When people Google my name and then approach me about my case, I don't fumble with my words or cower under their pressure.
Why?
Because I have already constructed the narrative, which can be backed by evidence. And then I tell folks, "If you want to know my story, buy the book."
Sometimes people respond favorably, and other times people respond stupidly.
But it doesn't change who I am, what I'm called to do, and the message I've been asked to deliver.
I am resolute in my story, because I watched God do something no man could ever do for me. There's no way I will ever feel shame for observing His display of great power.
Beloveds who have actually purchased my memoir have been blessed, too, because I used my story to give them encouragement, strength, and confidence to walk in their greatness.
Again, that's the power of storytelling and book publishing. And it's one of the reasons I tell Conservative Leaders to write their books now.
When you own your story, no one can use it against you.
When you own your story, you become uncancellable.
When you own your story and give it to the right people, it will open doors for you while also bringing deliverance to others.
And if you're considering this option as a part of your rising platform, here are a few quick lessons to help you get started:
Step 1: Have a Story Worth Publishing
We each have a story, and often times our stories are just what others need in order to succeed. One of the lessons I instill in my clients is this: Often times, the experiences we encounter give us a clear indication of the people we are called to empower.
I know in my personal experience, I've ministered most effectively to Beloveds who have scandalous stories. I also have a keen ability to empower "the least of these," because I know the Holy Spirit will use anyone who says "yes" to His will. The lessons I learned through first-hand experiences have given me credibility among the audience I serve; and my skills as a writing coach empower them to take their stories and build movements, ministries, or online businesses that impact the world.
In your case, I want you to think about what makes your story unique. How do your experiences allow you to instill hope into others who may be going through a similar situation? What lessons did you learn and how can they lead others towards victory?
Select that pivotal story -- that story that nearly killed you -- and frame your entire book around it. I guarantee it will inspire your readers.
Step 2: Hire a Skilled Writing Coach, Content Editor, and Proofreader
Unless you've spent significant years honing your writing craft, you will need an expert who can look at your work objectively. Often times, when new authors complete their manuscript, they immediately assume the work will be marketable.
But that's not how this publishing process works.
The benefits of working with an expert is she will show you how to position yourself appropriately within the market. She will give you ideas on how to frame your story so that it makes an indelible impression on your readers' hearts. She will ensure your content flows well for the consumer; and lastly, she will ensure the content is clean of errors.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to hire someone skilled in writing and one who has spent significant years in this publishing industry. Hiring such an expert will be the most expensive part within this publishing process; but the value you acquire will last for the lifetime of your writing ministry.
Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts
Now that you have an idea of what your book will entail, how will you put it together?
There are so many writers who believe it’s OK to jump into writing a book without giving thought to its organization and structure. This is a major mistake I witness among new authors; and when training my clients, I teach them to think of their book as a compilation of tiny parts.
Firstly, they must know the main theme or purpose of their book. Next, they need to consider their ideal reader and audience. Following, they need to consider the book's format. In other words, do they want to create a devotional? A manual? A novel? A self-help book? The more structure added to one's work during the planning phase, the easier it is to construct the book's content.
Step 4: Begin Your Research
Within my newest publishing school, I spend extensive time teaching my clients about the value of research.
When it comes to producing a book that will astound your readers, you want to present a product that contains valuable, empowering materials that will transform their lives; and most of the time, your best ideas will emerge after you've conducted research on your book's main topic.
One of the advantages to researching your topic is that you can find a way to give readers what others have yet to provide. Your book can fill a particular gap in the market, and this will enable your work to stand out.
The benefit of conducting your research is that you will inevitably become an expert on your topic, thereby building credibility and credence to your political professionalism and writing career. This can open doors to many other opportunities; but only when you make the effort to provide the best value to your readers.
Step 5: Begin Writing Your Manuscript
This step will coincide with the previous steps. Now that you have the content and research, break your topic into other subtopics that will serve as the book's chapters. Once you have generated enough information for your readers, you can re-evaluate your manuscript, ensuring whether or not your content has met your book's mission.
This year, I am excited to launch our newest book publishing program for rising Conservative Leaders who are ready to make their mark.
As I said in a previous lesson, every leader needs to publish a book.
In this new program, I've taken all the lessons I used to empower my previous clients and tailored them specifically to Beloveds like you.
Announcing The Write Conservative Book Publishing School.
I invite you to take time to learn more about the program and consider it as a new investment in your political career.
If you intend to function in your grace in this conservative political space, you need to publish your story.
And you need expert advice from a Coach who has proven such feats can be done, regardless of your story.
Learn more about "The Write Conservative"