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