New Resource For Coaches Who Write: A Style Guide

I am happy to be able to be a part of Linda Dessau’s blog book tour for the launch of her book, The Customizable Style Guide for Coaches Who Write: Look Smarter, Write Faster and Get Better Results from Your Writing.
I wanted to share with my readers the conversation I had with Linda to find out more about the book and her gift for writing.

1. Please give us a bit of background about you (where you grew up, where you were born, and if you have any siblings)

I was born in raised in Toronto, where I've lived all of my life except for the two years I studied music therapy at Capilano College in North Vancouver, British Columbia. I have one older brother, Jeff, and one older sister, Ruth. Ruth is mentioned in the Style Guide and has been a big part of my development as a writer and editor. I've also been blessed with one niece and four nephews.

2. Tell me, Linda, what is a "style guide" and how will this book make life easier as a coach?

In my book I cover the six main benefits of using a style guide. They are:
• Confidence
• Consistency
• Credibility
• Speed
• Readability
• Efficiency

A style guide makes your life easier because it answers of your writing questions in one place. It will hopefully make the writing process less intimidating, and (dare I say) even fun!

3. What's the one mistake you wish coaches would stop making in their writing?

Trying to say too much. The coaches I've worked with are so prolific and creative, and sometimes they don't know where one article ends and the next one begins. When it comes to articles, book chapters or each section of a special report, try to make just one main point, and then support it with sub-points. 

4. Do you now spot all the mistakes every time you read something?

Well, certain things are jumping out at me even more than they did before. I notice semicolons (because they're pretty rare in most writing), whether or not people choose to use the serial comma and if bulleted lists have parallel structure. It gives me something to do while I'm reading ads on the subway!

5. What do you find most challenging about the whole writing process?

Respecting my natural rhythms. I'm very creative and prolific in the mornings, but later in the day I find it difficult to start anything new. I'm ok if I'm already in the flow with a project, but otherwise my head gets heavy. Yet I still sometimes try – why do I do that?

6. So, what is on the horizon for you and your writing?
My next big project is My Book Wiki, a web-based system where I will work with clients to plan, write and polish their book from start to finish. Right now someone is testing the program with me and I'm very encouraged by her feedback so far.

This interview is a part of a blog book tour. Yesterday the blog book tour was at Sandra De Freitas’ blog and tomorrow the blog tour ends with Tina Forysth’s blog.

En-JOY!

Laura West

Joyful Business Guiding Principle #8: It's All Good

As the author of, Joyful Business Guide system, I have outlined 18 Guiding Principles of a Joyful  Business. These I have learned from my own experience and that of hundred's of spirit-based business owners like you.   These are guidelines, reminders, and validations for creating a success business based on using your joy energy. Why?  Because the world needs a new modern business model - the old one is broken! Use joy as a guide for what you create, for what you give, and for what you receive - being intentional about it all.

Each week I would like to share one of the Guiding Principles.  I would love to hear your thoughts, comments and own personal experience of each principle. 

Guiding Principe #8:  It's All Good

"Let's face it - you probably aren't always going to be in a joyful disposition. You can, however, be an observer and a learner. You can be sad, angry, frustrated or depressed and still find the good in those places (eventually) and be present to whatever is happening.  With practice, you will start choosing to shift to a more life-giving joy perspective on life. You have the tools to do this."

"Excerpt from the Joyful Business Guide Playbook, part of the Joyful Business Guide system, created by award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, Laura West, PCC, CPCC, The Joyful Business Guide system is a Business Attraction System which incorporates smart marketing and business strategies  for your business AND attraction tools so you create more money and meaning while growing your successful business. To find out more about the Joyful Business Guide system, visit the website.

If you are interested in having Laura West speak for your organization or teleclass, please contact her Media and Marketing Manager, Meredith Eisenberg, for details about your program and Laura's availabilty. Visit our website, The Center for Joyful Business, a business development training company for creative entrepreneurs.

Guiding Principle #7: We Are All Connected

As the author of, Joyful Business Guide system, I have outlined 18 Guiding Principles of a Joyful  Business.   These are guidelines, reminders, and validations for creating a success business based on using your joy energy. Why?  Because the world needs a new modern business model - the old one is broken! Use joy as a guide for what you create, for what you give, and for what you receive - being intentional about it all.

Each week I would like to share one of the Guiding Principles.  I would love to hear your thoughts, comments and own personal experience of each principle. 

Guiding Principe #7:  We Are All Connected

"How you behave, think, treat people, yourself and our planet comes back to you because we are all connected. Everything and everyone around you is constantly changing. Yet each breath, step, action and thought has an impact. Be conscious of this and handle with care."

Being really clear about your personal and business values helps shapes your business - everything from your types of services and products, to your policies, and to the type of people you have working for your team. Knowing that we are all part of the same system helps makes decisions clear when you come from a wise, bigger picture perspective.

Excerpt from the Joyful Business Guide Playbook, part of the Joyful Business Guide system, created by award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, Laura West, PCC, CPCC, The Joyful Business Guide system is a Business Attraction System which incorporates smart marketing and business strategies  for your business AND attraction tools so you create more money and meaning while growing your successful business. To find out more about the Joyful Business Guide system, visit the website.

If you are interested in having Laura West speak for your organization or teleclass, please contact her Media and Marketing Manager, Meredith Eisenberg, for details about your program and Laura's availabilty. Visit our website, The Center for Joyful Business, a business development training company for creative entrepreneurs.