Hey Reader, There are only 2 weeks left to enroll in Write Your Friggin' Book Already®! So if you've been on the fence about joining, now is the time! I think a lot about today's topic: Why so many people start writing books but so few actually finish them. I've been helping people write books for over 20 years, and I can tell you it's not what most people think. It's not lack of talent. It's not lack of time. It's not even lack of good ideas. The real reason most people don't finish their...
26 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Let’s talk about something some of my writing colleagues find controversial: You can start making money from your book before it’s even published. This is controversial for two reasons: Some people believe you’re supposed to write for the love of it, not for money. And yes, passion matters. But you know what also matters? Being able to pay your bills while you pursue your creative dreams. It can distract you from finishing the actual book. But with a coaching program like Write...
29 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, There are literally thousands of writing coaches and programs out there – how do you know which one is right for you? In my 20+ years as a professional writer, I've been through dozens of writing programs – including a bachelors in screenwriting – but never found the one that worked right for me. That's why I built Write Your Friggin' Book Already® to be centered around what I needed: Collaboration over competition Diverse and supportive community with inclusive values Coaching,...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, I have a confession: I fell off track with these Write Your Friggin' Book Already® emails. My last email to you was July 1st, and here we are on July 22nd. At first, I felt shame about that, wondering if I should just ignore this break, rather than bring attention to it. But shame grows in the dark, so here I am speaking it to light. Life happened – client work got intense, my personal life had some fun but time consuming additions to it, I relaunched my Queerie Bradshaw blog, and...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Here's something that might surprise you: I hesitated to call myself a writer until I had a book that was a bestseller. Even though I'd been making money from writing since I was 22. Even though I'd written columns and articles for national publications like Curve, VICE, and the Huffington Post. Even though I won my first writing award at 16 and studied screenwriting in undergrad. All of that, and I still didn't feel like I got to call myself a writer. Why? Because I had this idea...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, I've been in the publishing and storytelling industry for over 20 years, and in that time I've talked with thousands of aspiring authors about the process of trying to write their book. You know what the #1 thing I've seen over and over again that stops people from writing their books? It's not lack of talent. It's not lack of inspiration. It's not even lack of time. The #1 reason people don't finish their books is because they try to do it alone. Does this sound familiar: You get...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, it is officially time to Write Your Friggin' Book Already®!!!! The doors are now open to my flagship program – my most popular offering and the best way to get full access to me + a community of support. Check it out! We're doing things differently this year: I’m opening enrollment for a full eight weeks. Because I am tired of online marketing that makes you decide to invest in a program very quickly, leaning into shitty FOMO, and trying to manipulate you into buying something....
2 months ago • 2 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming 😬 I probably should know better by now... Six weeks in Mexico City and here's what I've learned. (Spoiler alert: mistakes were made...) Dear Reader, I am coming home from Mexico tomorrow, and I've got some feelings about that... But before I get into why I'm leaving early, I want to share with you a worksheet that helps me see the big picture in life. It's called Rest, Read, and Reflect, and you can download it by clicking the button below....
3 months ago • 8 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming 🎠Emotional arcs keep your audience engaged Too much drama, they get annoyed. Not enough drama, they get bored. Emotions all over the place, they get confused. This worksheet will help you make sure you strike the right balance. Dear Reader, You know what I love about books? The way they take you on an emotional ride. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, the sentiments of a book linger way longer than the action. Which is why it's important to...
4 months ago • 5 min read
School for Writers® with Lauren Marie Fleming 😬 Should you have said that? What happens when we expect perfectionism from ourselves and others? Hey Reader, Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Said something you probably shouldn't have? Posted a thought, image or video on social media that backfired? It sucked, right? You might have felt guilty, stupid, ashamed, called out, or even lost friends over it – or all of the above. These days, most of us are content creators of some kind – and...
4 months ago • 5 min read