The secret to making something extraordinary

“Everybody’s looking for an easy answer out of a can.”

That’s a favourite line in my house—something our mechanic, who sadly passed away a few years ago, used to say and which always makes me laugh because it’s so true.

The truth is there are no easy answers.

AI, ChatGPT, email templates, clickfunnels—all the frameworks, all the tools, can’t help you if you’re not willing to do the hard stuff: the inner work to discover what makes your message, your story, YOU, original and unique. 

Like all things spiritual—and to me, storytelling is a spiritual act—it’s an inside out job.

You have to start from the inside—what do I (with a capital I) want to say, and why am I uniquely equipped to share this message? Why this story, and why me? Focus on that first and pour it out on to the page, as I always tell my writers, before looking to frameworks and rulebooks to craft your story to perfection.

I like how music producer Rick Rubin puts it in his book The Creative Act:

“Set aside the outline, write with no map and see what happens. With the intention set, and destination unknown, you’re free to surrender your conscious mind, dive into the raging stream of creative energy, and watch the unexpected appear again and again. As each small surprise leads to another, you’ll soon find the biggest surprise: You learn to trust yourself. In the universe, with the universe, as a unique channel to a higher wisdom.”

If you want to create something perfectly ordinary, start with a plan.

If you want to create something extraordinary, though, you have to throw out the script, and risk being wrong. Risk being vulnerable. Risk being scared.

Some of my clients have an outline when we first meet, some don’t—I’m okay with either. If they have an outline, I encourage them to hold it loosely and be open to it evolving as we work together, in service to creating the best book that we can. 

Even without the outline, though, I like to have at least a mental screen shot of my vision for my books, to keep me focused and motivated. Here are the top 3 things I like to identify before I start any book, and which provide a foundation for any project:

✅ What’s your story and why are you the person to tell it? This is something I ask all my writers at the start of a project. It can also help to craft your Why Story, or to articulate it in a way that you can come back to again and again, draft after draft, when you can’t see the forest for the trees. (It also goes a long way to helping you write your introduction, if you have one; writing your agent/publisher query letter, if you eventually plan to; or drafting your keynote, if you hope to deliver it one day)

✅ Answer: Who is this story for, and what do they need/want? If your intention is to share your book with other people one day, make sure there’s alignment. For example, if you’re a middle-aged man but you’re writing a book to inspire young female entrepreneurs, what common ground do you share that you can speak into, so they can see themselves in your story and hero’s journey?

✅ What’s the REAL point of this book? Sometimes it can take a little digging to discover why a book is truly important to the writer. They often have a lot of superficial reasons they like to throw at me first ;) but that’s not going to carry them through the hard moments, or help them achieve the kind of fulfilment they’re really seeking.

Personally, I don’t care how many books I sell. I don’t write to make money, and that frees me up creatively and allows me to stay authentic and true to my vision. I write to make women feel seen, heard and loved. Period. Anything else is just icing on the cake.

For other writers, if it’s to sell as many books as possible, I might direct them to traditional publishing, if I think they have a chance of getting a book deal. 

If it’s to grow their business, brand or impact, though, I usually encourage them to self-publish. (After all, who wants to wait 2-plus years to make a difference in someone else’s life?)

Both outcomes will influence the editorial direction the book takes.

If there’s any road map you follow, if there’s any framework you lean on, let it be this. 👆🏼

Cat xo

PS: If you want to create something extraordinary and are willing to be wrong, vulnerable and scared, if you’re willing to be curious and play, in order to create the best book that you can, reach out to me. I will hold your hand and walk with you all the way.

Blog RSS

How to unleash your creativity and sprint toward your goals

When was the last time you sprinted?

People always ask me: How do you do it? Raise 4 kids, run a business, write books, stay healthy and fit.

The answer: Sprints

In fact, I’m just coming off one. Last summer I spent one month processing all the feedback I’d gathered on my book—from publishers, screenwriters, film scouts, Beta readers and agents, over the years. I spent another month dreaming, praying and generally noodling over the problems and solutions to the feedback I got and the changes I wanted to make to the book. (The number one question being: How do I satisfy convention without being conventional? 🤔 More on that in a future post.)

From there, I itemized everything I wanted to tackle in a Word doc table checklist. Then this month, I was in a sprint to implement those changes. I carved a few hours every morning to work on my book, and have a few days left to read it over one last time before I submit the manuscript to my publisher and it begins its journey on the conveyor belt of publishing as it makes its way to a book store near you.

In the meantime, some things have taken a back seat: Enrolling new clients and members for my business, hosting events and workshops, my podcast, social media! (Yes, that’s why I’ve been strangely absent, if you noticed.)

Now that my sprint is coming to a close, you’ll start to hear more from me. (Hopefully that’s a good thing.) I’ll turn my attention to some of the things that have been waiting on the back burner, before I do another sprint—this time to revisit my second book, for a fresh edit and revision. (But not before I've had a chance to rest and relax a bit.)

Someone else who knows about sprints is Matt Rogers—a client of mine who wrote his book in 9 days!

As Matt admits, he always knew he had a great book in him, but he was “rudderless.” He had spent years sputtering, rewriting and making excuses. He lacked confidence and direction.

Working with me helped Matt put intentional and purposeful effort into how, when and where he wrote.  As Matt says, “That direction on how to organize my process released my ultra-creativity.”

The result was 45,000 written words and a full first draft manuscript in just 9 writing days—“a waterfall of words,” as Matt calls it.  

Although Matt already had a strong chapter outline and 25 years of experience under his belt when he started working with me, the focused process helped him download it all on to the page very quickly.

 Matt sums up the experience like this:

“A great coach doesn’t always teach his/her pupil how to be great. Sometimes it is just a matter of teaching his/her pupil how to unleash the greatness that’s already in them.  Cat removed the pressure and anxiety from me, and my creativity flew out.  It was the closest I’ll ever get to Bradley Cooper’s character in the movie “Limitless” where he takes a pill that allows him to use 100% of his brain capacity.  Cat, you were my brain unleashing pill…just with a positive connotation😜”

Working with me helped Matt overcome his fears and doubts, and gave him the confidence and encouragement he needed to commit to his book and vision for his life and business.

“This book has shown me that I still have a lot to give, and I still have an abundance of time to make the world a better place by helping families, student-athletes and leaders be better prepared for their futures,” he says, and he's right. Matt’s book Significant Recruiting is now available on Amazon (see my review of the book below). If you’re a parent of a tween, teen or student-athlete, or know of one, this book is a must-read.

In the meantime, to create a sprint for yourself, here are the key ingredients:

-Set a stretchy but attainable by-when date

-Come up with strategies for how to attain your goal, and also a plan for how to deal with challenges you can expect along the way 

-Grab an accountability partner if you need one

-Have a cheerleader, coach or friend who cares about your success and who you can go to to celebrate the wins, and also to troubleshoot when you’re feeling stuck

-Be sure to rest in between sprints so you don’t burn out and can enjoy the journey along the way and appreciate how far you’ve come

If you’re still scrambling for time and how to fit your sprint in, think:

-What can you let go of if you need to during your sprint

-Identify time sucks that you can allocate to your book instead (sorry, TikTok)

-Surrender the goal to be great or perfect and make “Done is better than good” your new motto

And if you see yourself as more of a long-distance runner than a sprinter, know that I’ve got you too. The long run takes stamina and creates more space for self-doubt—exactly why you need a buddy even more. If you’re looking for one, ping me. Whether it’s 1-1 with me, or in my community of writers and authors, I know a few people who can help ;)

Cat xo

PS: You can catch my interview with Matt for his podcast Be Significant, where guests share their years of experience teaching, coaching and leading others for a significant and authentic life. Click here to listen.

---

REVIEW: Significant Recruiting, by Matt Rogers

People talk about “generational wealth” but I think the greatest thing we can give our kids and invest in on their behalf is leadership and the tools to drive your life and create the future you hope for.

Matt Rogers’ book Significant Recruiting does all that and more. It’s first and foremost a guide for college-athletes and their parents, on how to get recruited to their dream teams, colleges and scholarships. It shows them how to know their worth, own their academics and create a game plan to go after what they want, as well as showing how coaches and recruiters think and what they’re really looking for.

The book teaches students great habits, mindsets and skills that will serve them in not only applying for those post-secondary positions but also throughout their career as well. Which is why, as a mom myself, I see so much value in this book—not just for student-athletes and their families, but for any tween, teen or parent of kids.

Matt’s book and the stories he shares within reveal the dangers and opportunities of social media, how to approach and work with people to get what you want, how to be responsible for yourself and your future and how to make your dreams happen. It may well be one of the most important books you or your kid will read, to prepare them for their future.

You can find Matt's book at Amazon.com.

The secrets to creativity + book recos

I was chatting with my neighbour when she blurted it out: "Creativity is just shut off from me."

We were talking about her filmmaker husband and my book and our creative journeys when she admitted that about herself, as if she were missing some key ingredient that had somehow eluded her. 

I looked around us, at my daughter playing with her own three girls in her backyard, and thought, "Are you freaking kidding me? You're creating all over the place!"

I often meet people who don't think of themselves as artists or writers or creators, but I believe we are all creative beings, and that God created us to create. It’s our humanness that gets in the way—agendas, expectations, perfectionism, self-doubt. 

So how do you get around being human? I have a few things that have always worked for me:

1. I talk to God. A lot. This may sound silly, but I literally go to God over my books. We converse about it, I ask Him to help me with my scenes or stuck points…and He always delivers. Maybe that’s just me tapping into my intuition and inner knowing, or creating space for epiphanies and the universe to deliver what I’m asking for—whatever you want to call it. It works.

Like Rick Rubin says in his book The Creative Act, "The act of creation is an attempt to enter a mysterious realm. A longing to transcend...Without the spiritual component, the artist works with a crucial disadvantage...A spiritual viewpoint is limitless and invites fantastic possibilities."

2. Many of my clients crave rules, and yet I'm reluctant to impart them. "Rules direct us to average behaviour," Rick writes, and I'm inclined to agree.

Particularly when it comes to first draft, I feel that you need to throw out the script and look within. "Show something new. Share what's inside. And communicate your singular perspective," as Rick says.

Personally, I can’t create from a rule book or list of boxes to check—I save that for the editing process. First draft should be all about CREATION, and to me that means setting aside any expectations, frameworks, rules, and tapping into the message, story and feeling I want to evoke, convey and share.

3. If you desire to write a book, I truly believe that means the book is already in you.

Rick writes: "The materials exist hidden within...The psyche has admittance to a universal wisdom deeper than what we can come up with in our conscious mind. It provides a far less limited view, an oceanic source."

The book is already done. You just need to get out of the way, and the sooner you surrender your expectations, perfectionism, wanting to get it right and wanting to know how it ends before it even begins, the sooner you’ll be able to let go of analysis paralysis, self-doubt and all the things that slow us down and get in our way. Just make getting it all down on your first and only goal. Leave self-improvement to your second draft. You won’t be able to escape it anyway.

Cat xo

PS: While I'm on the subject, here are some books I recommend to tap into the power, mystery and magic of art and writing.

• I'm just getting started, but still, Rick Rubin's The Creative Act is a gorgeous meditation on creation, whatever the platform or medium. From tapping into inner, spiritual, cosmic intuition to discovering ways to find and channel inspiration, I dig just about everything Rick has to say. 

• In his book On Writing, Stephen King taught me a lesson that I carry with me every day: Write with the door closed, edit with the door open. And also that inspiration and great books and stories are not necessarily borne in a quiet cabin in the woods, but in the midst of life and living--something that resonates with me and has been my own personal experience.

• Chuck Palahniuk's Consider This is not just for Fight Club fans. In his guide to better writing, Chuck dishes out some of the best writing advice I've ever come across, including how to add texture to your story.

If you love talking books, and are interested in publishing and the craft of writing, you'll love my membership community, which includes monthly meet-ups and group coaching with me. Click here to join! 

Making scenes come alive, #Nanowrimo + other wins

You can be forgiven for thinking I’ve finally lost my mind…if you were a fly on my wall watching me block out a scene in my book that I’ve been revising (hopefully for the last time!).

In fact, writing a book is much like acting or making a movie. For example, I have a Spotify playlist (actually two for this book—one for each of my leads). I’ve casted who would play each of the four main roles, and turned them into a Pinterest vision board I can flip to to help me get in the mood. I speak the dialogues out loud to see how they feel, and act out actions to figure out if they make sense as I have them down on the page.

I’m like a one-woman show, only it’s not Broadway. It’s just me in my writing room.

This is what it takes to make your scenes come alive, so if you haven’t tried any of these yet, I highly recommend testing out some or all of these methodologies, especially to help with showing versus telling, even if some will question your sanity.

I think books are worth losing our minds a little over, don’t you?

Cat xo

PS: I gotta share, as my writers and friends had some pretty great wins last week:

• We had another book (baby)! At our coaching call last week, my client Matt surprised me with his book reveal—he finally got his first printed copy and we were both ecstatic to see him holding it in his hand! I can’t wait to share more about this must-read for parents and their kids—it’s truly a wonderful leadership book that will help lift, inspire and empower so many families.

• Caryn has almost reached the end of her really really really rough first draft. Over the past 6 months, she has been chipping away at what started off as a seemingly impossible mountain to climb and now she’s almost ready to go back to the beginning and revise it with with feedback and suggestions from me gathered through our biweekly calls. I am so excited for her memoir and can’t wait to share it when it comes out!

• Not a client but still a huge win for me, my friend Yvonne whom I met during a creative writing course I took years ago reached out to say she took my advice and started pitching her book to small presses. Now she’s in talks negotiating with one!!!!

It is such a pleasure and an honour to help these writers and authors write, finish and publish their books. Thank you for making me a part of your journey!

If you're looking to join a community of writers and authors, join my membership program, which includes monthly meet-ups and group coaching with me!

A change is gonna come

Change is hard. But sometimes it happens so effortlessly you don’t even notice it until it’s done.

My daughter used to cling to me when I dropped her off at school so that her teacher would have to pry her from my body most mornings, despite the fact that she loved her teacher, school and friends.

Today, though? I dropped her off for her first day of school and she followed her new teacher and class inside without a wave, last-minute hug or glance my way. She didn’t even look back.

I’m not sure how to feel about it—nostalgic, hurt, proud, inspired, or a little of all of the above. 

We’re all a little bit changed from this summer. I’m even trying to get ahead of it—treasuring, celebrating and saying goodbyes to first and last memories, because I know these moments are fleeting and soon the kids will be grown and making memories of their own, without me. 

At times like this, I’m grateful for new beginnings. And while Christmas and New Year’s are typically reserved for end of year reflections and goal planning, this fall is also an opportunity to give thanks for all the ways we’ve grown and consider what new seeds we want to plant. After all, I still have a few 2023 goals to accomplish before we wrap the year.

On my highlights list:

-Finally, completely, surrendering the last week of summer break and enjoying this special time with my husband and kids. It took me a couple of weeks of slowly winding down before I could totally disconnect but in the end we got to have a completely unplanned yet absolutely magical week together that I’ll remember forever. 

-Deep diving into my first book with one more revision before I hand it over to my publisher. It feels like I’ve been working on this book for forever, and I kinda have, but as with personal development, the work is never done, and there is always a next level. The only difference is that with a book YOU get to decide when done is good enough. 

As for goals, returning to my second book for a fresh edit tops my list, and working with one of my favourite people and mentors to make it the best it can be. (See? Even book coaches and editors like me hire pros to help them get where they want to go—if they’re smart and really walk the talk, that is ;)

I’m also excited to work with new writers I’m welcoming this fall, and for my authors who are launching their books in the coming months. 

Plus I have a few surprises up my sleeve. For that, though, you’ll just have to stay tuned. 

In the meantime, keep dreaming, daring, doing. I’m happy to be back and hope to see you soon,

Cat xo

PS: If writing or publishing a book is on your 2023 list of goals, and you’re not sure how to get started or what to do next, contact me. Whether it’s working with me 1-1 or signing up for my group coaching program, we’ll find the next best steps for you.

Hitting the pause button, plus lessons learned

Our lizard died. Possible cause: Impaction (aka, extreme constipation).

Turns out living on sand is not the best thing for a leopard print gecko, even though that’s what the pet store recommended when we bought her.

 
Now that I know impaction is a thing, for our next gecko/lizard pet, I’m choosing a soil substrate. The kids and I will make a concerted effort to track her poops. If there’s a lag in that department, we’ll give her warm baths twice a day, and switch out crickets for worms. And we’ll also closely monitor her temperatures as cooler temps or temp fluctuations can also contribute to impaction.

 
The lesson is, you don’t know what you don’t know. Now that we know, we can have a better outcome, and even share our knowledge with others, as I’m doing with you.

 
If we had had a lizard coach or exotic pets mentor, we might have avoided this whole unfortunate demise. Our gecko could be thriving right now, rather than buried in the backyard, and we could have saved time, money, energy and heartache.

 
So my question for you, as it is for myself is, where else could you be leaning on someone else’s experience and knowledge to achieve a better outcome in your life or goals? And who do you get to reach out to today, to take steps toward that?

 
For me, I’m lucky to have so many clients who are coaches and experts, who inspire me and share their respective knowledge and expertise with me. One of them has inspired me to do what I’m about to do next:

 
Letting you know that I’ll be taking this month off from my newsletters and social media posting to enjoy the fine weather and focus on my family, clients and my own books, and make the most of my kids’ summer holiday before they go back to school.

 
Enjoy this time, and see you in September.

Cat xo

PS: I’ll still be checking my emails in the meantime, so feel free to reach out to hello@passionprojectpod.com if you have a question about writing, publishing and coaching.

The 3 things you need to make it happen

I’ll be honest, I haven’t written a word for any of my books in months…

Which for someone who makes a living showing others how to make their book publishing dreams come true is a leeeetle bit embarrassing.

But here’s why I’m not sweating it:

• I know when I commit to a deadline, project or promise, I will turn myself inside and out and go without sleep if I need to to make it happen. My word means something—and it means a lot to me.

• I’ve proven to myself time and time again that I can make my own dreams come true by going on what I call sprints—stretches of time that I dedicate to this or that priority and I don’t stop until I reach my goal. Last spring it was my business, this summer it’s been my kids and family, but I’m gearing up to recommit myself to my books and when that happens, everything else will go on the back burner. (Sorry, kids.)

• Even when I’m spinning one of my other plates in the air, I’ve always got my eye on my book, I’m constantly thinking about it, dreaming about it, praying about it, walking it out, taking it for drives, dancing it out, singing it out, taking notes for it, looking for it in the world around me—so that when it’s time to sit down and start writing, I already have a bank of content, notes and ideas to pull from (and thus, I avoid the dreaded writer’s block!).

So what can you take from this for your own book or passion project?

• Step 1: Commit to a completion date/time. If you don’t schedule it in your calendar, it’ll never happen! (And know that it’s okay to renegotiate a looming deadline—life happens, we learn, grow and evolve. But if you see a pattern of renegotiation in your life you might want to explore what’s underneath that and getting in the way of you and your dreams. What do you keep selling out to? Is it scarcity of time, money, energy? If so, remember that's a mindset as much as anything else--which also means you can shift it.)

• Step 2: Build confidence by setting smaller (daily/weekly) goals and meeting them. Learn to trust yourself and that often means prioritizing YOU and your dreams. If you think you’re doing someone a favour by giving up on your dream, think again. Who else stands to gain when you go all the way? Who else is going to be impacted by your book, your story, your legacy and your achievement?

• Step 3: Be consistent and don’t disregard all the little steps that it takes to build your dream—including the dreaming part. Like I say to my writers, sometimes writing looks like lying on a couch, staring at a wall. Whatever you can do, whatever you can contribute, day after day, do it. That consistency will turn into momentum, and before you know it, that book will write itself.

The truth is, people get hung up on rules and the craft of writing. Most likely, you’re already a great writer. Rather, what I find that most writers are missing are feedback and accountability. That’s where I come in.

Great writing will only take you so far. Eventually, the only thing that’s going to make an exponential difference in your writing is a feedback partner—be it an editor, coach or your writing community.

But even they can’t write the book for you. Which is where steps 1-3 come in.

Cat xo

PS: If you’re ready for some feedback, accountability and a writing community, join my Passion Project Book Publishing Academy. We’re meeting this week and you don’t want to miss it! Membership goes up July 27 so join now and save while you can! (Trust me, when it comes time to launching your book, you’ll be grateful you invested in networking and community—you’ll need all the help you can get in spreading the word.)

No regrets…and how to be significant

I don’t usually wear my sunglasses inside but I was crying in my car before I stepped into the grocery store to grab some things for dinner. I had held it in as long as I could before the dam finally broke.

Because I was at the pool with my kids when a message popped on to my phone—a former colleague had passed away last week, after a year-long battle with cancer. I never knew she was sick. I checked my Instagram messages from her and her profile because I couldn’t believe it. She had posted something in July but nothing for the last week. It was true.

We weren’t close but we always made sure to keep in touch and wish each other a happy birthday—we share the same day. She was so sweet, and so young. Fatima.

When we worked together, we were both part-time. I was consulting and she was the intern. I had 3 kids and was past the point of wanting to make new friends. I was impatient to get the job done and get home. She was new, and wanting to learn and impress. She was so gentle and kind I couldn’t be anything less than polite, but I could have been so much more.

I don’t carry a lot of regret. I’ve made a ton of mistakes in my life but I know they were all building blocks to being the best version of myself that I’m still working to become.

But this, this one hit me hard.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because the thing I regret most is not asking about her story—who was she, really? Where did she come from? Where did she want to go in her life? How could I help her get there? She was this huge open book just waiting for me to ask, to care, and I couldn’t be bothered.

I’m not the same person today, but I still have my moments—in the checkout line, racing between point A and point B, when really, that’s all there is. This whole thing called life is just one big space between point A and point B.

Funny enough, on my walk this morning, listening to the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren was telling us again, “God never wastes a hurt.”

He was talking about our lives, our life stories, the heartbreaks and the lessons—and urging us to go share it. It’s not for nothing. It’s to give away.

Your story is not just your story. Give it away.

 Cat xo

---

I had the great pleasure of being on Matt Rogers and Beth Cook’s Be Significant podcast, in which they interview the best and brightest in the worlds of education, business, sports and more about leadership, life transitions, finding your authentic self and how to be significant in your personal and professional life every day.

In this interview, we talk about the craft of writing, passion projects…and what I would tell my 21-year-old self.

Listen to our conversation here.

PS: In the interview, I shared about the role communities and teams have played in my journey and transformation. I love how Beth sums our talk up in her post-interview wrap-up, where she encourages listeners to create their own board of directors. “Don’t forget to lean on those people when you need encouragement, ideas, or to be challenged—those are the folks who are going to continue to bring you forward and challenge you to do what you’ve always wanted to do and be your best. Don’t forget to leverage your community.” If you’re looking for one, you know where to find me 😉

This picture says it all...How to get exponential results with your book, and in your life

This picture says it all.

This week I wrapped the final edit of a client’s book, and was surprised to find these kind words written to me on his acknowledgements page. 

I was surprised because I respect and admire this guy so much—he’s an athlete, coach, scout and recruiter who has spent his whole life living and breathing leadership, teamwork and excellence—it means the world to have him say these words about ME.

I was also surprised because I care so much about this book and all the children and families it’s going to help thrive, I wasn’t looking for praise or people pleasing or just checking off boxes—I wanted to do my very best, with everything that I have.

See the coolest thing about the work that I do as a book coach is I can help ONE person. And that person can help THOUSANDS, or more. The work I do, and the results we get from it, are exponential. 

So if the reason you have for writing your book is to impact lives, make a difference for others, make them feel seen/heard/loved, to uplift/inspire/educate/empower…I’m your person.

In case you didn’t realize—people need your book, your story, your message NOW. 

So don’t sit on the fence. Don’t wait for the perfect time—it’ll never happen. Something else will always come up, to get in your way. 

The time is now. And if you need help figuring out how to pull it all off—the career and the book and the passion project and your purpose and your mission—book a call with me. I’m here, and I’m ready to fight for you, your book and your vision.

So what worked with my client Matt?

-I helped give him the confidence, motivation and encouragement to go all in on his dream of writing, completing and publishing his book. Sometimes we just need to know our idea is worth going after, and that we’re on the right track, to give us the momentum we’re already capable of.

-I workshopped outline, book structure and book marketing strategy with him so he could attack his first draft with gusto. In the end, Matt was able to WRITE HIS ENTIRE BOOK IN JUST ONE MONTH! Knowing that I had his back with editing and that he could count on me to level up his manuscript through edits and revisions kept Matt moving and out of analysis paralysis and the endless perfectionist loop.

-Matt has a big vision, and the book is a cornerstone of that. Working with someone who could see the whole picture of everything he wanted to create in his life and career helped Matt write a book that would help him achieve his life, business and legacy goals. On our calls, we don’t just talk about story, we workshop book marketing and business strategy too to help Matt optimize all the incredible opportunities that are opening up for him as a result of his book.

Ready to experience Matt's results for yourself? Book a Power Hour with me and give your book the traction and momentum you want. 

Cat xo

PS: What can you expect from our Power Hour together? You can use that time for a variety of different goals and outcomes: Gain clarity on your book so you can start writing it. Get unstuck, get back on track and gain major momentum toward finishing your book. Discover the best ways to create buzz around your book launch and get your book in front of readers. And more!

Click here to sign up now. 

Winning! Book coaching wins from last week

We don’t acknowledge our wins enough, and that goes for me too, so here are some from the last week:

During my membership meet-up last week, Stephanie discovered the opening scenes and pages of her book. After I started digging and asking questions, we uncovered some moments that were so powerful, she found her pot of gold and teared up in the process. (Warning/tip: In my coaching, I’m always looking for tears, laughs and goosebumps— that’s how I know we hit it.)

Diane is ready to tackle her second draft, so I gave her tips on how to edit herself, how to create a plan for editing and revising her book in a timely manner, how to not waste time tinkering with perfectionism and make the kind of changes and story updates that exponentially elevate her book and bring her that much closer to her publishing goals.

Mike isn’t ready to start his book yet—he’s still in the land of ideas and curiosity. So I gave him permission to let himself off the hook right now and simply play with the idea, while creating a writing practice by journalling daily. This will prepare him for writing his book by giving him the chance to hone his voice and writing skills, and also to reflect on and articulate his thesis and philosophy, while steering him out of procrastination and analysis paralysis, so he can create momentum and progress (and even a content bank!) toward publishing his book.

During last week's book publishing workshop, Antwon shared that he was already killing it with presales and was ready to launch his book. Still, he was stumped on what to follow up with. I was able to give him some direction on content strategy for how to nurture his relationship with his new readers, how to leverage his book for his other goals (motivational speaking), and even planted seeds for future books. I also offered to introduce him to one of my like-minded one-on-one clients so they could appear on each other’s podcasts. Win-win!

Through our 1-1, Shannon gained clarity on her book angle, title and tagline, as well as her book marketing strategy as pertains to her business goals. She also decided to extend her book launch by a couple of months to ride the wave of newsworthiness and what will be topical at the time of her book launch, plus to gather more early reviews and trade reviews for her book.

And that’s just a few of the ways I helped my members, writers, authors and workshop attendees last week. If you have any questions on these areas or some of your own, hit REPLY.

Storytelling is my ministry and I love to serve!

Cat xo

PS: To get coaching and feedback specific to you, your book, your goals and where you’re at now, sign up for my membership program, where you'll get access to my membership community, including my Kickstart Your Book online course, monthly meet-ups and group coaching calls to help you move forward with your book publishing goals, with accountability, guidance and support. Click here to sign up now.

We can be heroes

There's a teenager living in my basement so I know that most students are already off for the summer.

But...if I were to get in front of the class of 2023, here's what I would tell them.

First, that I'm shocked that their school asked me to speak (hypothetically).

Because I have been nothing if not a mess-up. 

I barely graduated from high school. In fact I think I had to finish off at summer school and some alternative centre to get my diploma because I was so checked out.

Next I took the following year off—and worked dead end jobs while all my friends lived it up on campus.

It made me hungry to go back to school, though, so I could get a real job—unfortunately no one told me Journalism was already dead so I picked a dinosaur career path that was doomed from the get-go. I LOVED every minute of it, though--learning to build websites and run magazines, write and interview bands. That part was a blast.

College wrapped quick, and most of my friends were still in university. So I decided to sign up and waste time, following my curiosity and taking completely impractical courses on dystopias and fables, French literature and Spanish history.

Which prompted my third year university roommate to ask me, “Why are you so old?”

I was 25 then and already engaged to be married.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had incredible successes. I graduated Honours in university and climbed the magazine editor ranks until I was queen of the hill. I've been an entrepreneur for 10 years and love the freedom and creativity I've been able to tap and explore along the way. I've been happily married for almost 20 years and I'm the mother of 4 awesome kids that blow me away every day and are smarter and cooler than anything I could have imagined.

I’ve also hit rock bottom—a few times.

So what advice does a loser (aka, unconventional winner) like me have to offer a class like yours?

How about:

Be okay with making plans

And be okay when they don’t turn out

Be okay with layoffs, restructuring, pivots and transitions…

They may actually lead you to something that is ultimately more fulfilling

Keep moving forward

Keep committing until you find new things to be committed to

Keep leaning into your passions, your joy, your curiosity…they will lead you to your zone of genius and your happy place.

And know that even as you cycle through the highs and lows of life, you can count on an upward trend when you have faith, follow your heart and trust in your hero's journey. We can be heroes...

Cat xo

PS: I'm hosting my last free book publishing workshop before I break for the summer. Come join me this Weds June 28 at 12pm EST if you want to learn about writing, publishing and selling books--and stick around for the audience Q&A after! Click here to register and receive login link and details.

Why there's nothing safe about it, plus some takeaways from my Success Story interviews

I’m a book coach and an author. There is nothing safe about what I do.

This is what I was thinking as I listened to my father and stepmom speak the other day. I could hear the fear in their voices and all the ways they want to protect my sister and I, not realizing that this is also how parents hold their kids back and keep them playing small.

We love our kids so much and want to protect them at all costs. But life isn’t easy and pursuing a meaningful, fulfilling—especially creative, entrepreneurial—life comes with major risks. It is not for the faint of heart or weak of faith.

My leadership trainer Michael Strasner often talks about “living life on the skinny branches.” In fact, he wrote a book on it.

And boy, are we ever, my sister and I.

Every day, it’s my job to have conversations with myself and others that most people avoid. Exploring questions of life and death, faith, the meaning of life, and what our role and responsibilities are in it all. The books we’re working on demand that readers be willing to take themselves on, reframe their perception of reality and perhaps even make life-changing decisions. To RISK, in order to receive. (Just like my favourite authors and books have always done.)

I know what playing safe looks like. I did it for 20 years, before I realized I’d rather be anywhere than there.

So now I’m a book coach and an author—and a mother. There is nothing safe about what I do. But it’s also the most rewarding place to be.

Cat xo

#

Some takeaways from my Success Story interview series:

-It's never too soon to invite readers on your book publishing journey with you. Not only does it hold you accountable, but it also builds relationships with readers and gets them invested in your success.

-Chose the platform or mechanism that feels most natural and right to you to nurture your audience--whether that's an email newsletter, Instagram feed or YouTube videos. You don't have to be on TikTok to be a successful author, but you do need to show up somewhere your audiences are.

-You don't need a publishing house behind you to be a best-selling author, but you do need to be willing to do the work to market and represent your book if you go the way of self-publishing and expect sales.

PS: There's still time to sign up for my Success Story series and watch these fantastic interviews for yourself. Register here to get them delivered straight to your inbox.

How to launch, market and sell your book

If you've been reading my emails, you would know by now that I recently got a book deal with a small press publisher in Toronto. (Hurray! 🎉)

But what you might not know is that I was *this* close to self-publishing my book.

That's why I cooked up my next interview series, so I could find out for myself, and my book coaching clients, the best ways to launch, market and sell a book. 

I'm calling this series SUCCESS STORY: Experts share tools and strategies on how to market, launch and sell your book to reach the largest audience.

And I've lined up an incredible array of experts and guests--including best-selling authors Gabrielle Stone and K. A. Tucker, Nick Uskoski and Tamara Lush from Wattpad, Matt Briel from Lulu Publishing, Damon Courtney from Book Funnel, book marketing experts Dan Blank and Emily Enger, and more.

Join us for the LIVE ONLINE SHOW on June 14, when you'll have a chance to ask your own questions during our Audience Q&As. I will also be hosting an Indie Author Round Table and Audience Q&A on June 15, with authors Laurie Petrou, Heather Dixon and Erin Pepler.

No matter your path to publishing—whether it’s traditional publishing, independent/small press publishing or self-publishing—you’re going to discover the tips, tools and tricks to reach the largest audience and create the most success for your book. Through this series, you’ll hear about how to engage your ideal audience, create excitement around your book release and market it in a way so as to generate significant book sales and revenue.

Here’s what is going to be covered in the INTERVIEWS: 
-BEST-SELLING AUTHORS share the secrets to their success
-Strategies for how to create the biggest splash possible with your BOOK LAUNCH 
-The FUTURE of publishing from those who are leading the way 
-How to create a SUSTAINABLE marketing plan so you can keep writing and doing what you love
-The tools and platforms that hold the most PROMISE for you and your book
-What authors need to know about AUDIENCES to successfully market and sell their book 
 
These interviews are REAL, short and to the point CONVERSATIONS with best-selling authors, publishers and book marketing experts who are leading the way with innovative 
strategies to launch, market and sell your book so you can reach the most readers possible.

The series is totally free. All you have to do is register here to receive log-in details for the show.

Trust me, you don't want to miss this.

So join me and 12 other speakers as we share the top tips, tools and strategies to LAUNCH, MARKET & SELL YOUR BOOK, so you can keep doing what you love: Telling stories and sharing them with others.

Register for Success Story now and claim your spot.

I'll see you inside,

Cat xo

PS: Have a writer friend? Share this email invite! No matter where they are in their journey, these interviews can help them prepare for their author debut, or help them revitalize book sales and create a thriving writing career.

Q: How do I publish a book?

There are myriad ways to publish your book, but to keep this short, simple and sweet, let’s break your options into two:

Traditional publishing requires getting an agent who will then pitch your book to publishers. Once you have a book deal, it can take another 18 months before your book appears on a bookshelf. So timing is a key consideration here, especially since

getting an agent can take weeks, months or years, and the same for getting a book deal with a publisher. To get an agent, you’ll need to provide a query letter, synopsis and sample chapters. Make sure your book is in the best shape possible as you can only make a first impression once, and it’s best if your entire manuscript is ready as if the agent likes what they see, they’ll likely request to see the rest of it.

Another option that’s growing in popularity is self-publishing. Anyone can self-publish their book through Amazon and a variety of other platforms, at any time. It can be tempting to go ahead

and publish your book just because you can, but avoid skipping steps so you can put your best foot forward and have

the most success with your book. You also want to build in time for marketing your book before it goes on sale, if possible. That’s why many self-published authors turn to book coaches and third

parties—to help them with the editing, publishing and marketing parts of the process.

If you would like to be personally mentored by me during your book writing and book publishing journey, you can sign up for my group coaching/membership program here or reach out to me (hello@passionprojectpod.com) to inquire about my one-on-one coaching and editing packages.

How I got my book deal

I actually struggled to write this week’s blog post, which is odd because last week I actually got, and shared, the best news:

My first book has finally found a publisher home! 🎉

AGAIN ONLY MORE LIKE YOU will be published by Rising Action and available in bookstores April 2025!!!!

It’s been a journey for sure, with super highs, and major lows. We started out of the gate strong, and that was followed by disappointments as none of the Big Five publishers (which have since become the Big Four) picked it up, despite having one of the top literary agents at one of the top literary agencies campaigning for my book. 

I share this because my story is not uncommon. Even some of my favourite authors and mentors have had to look outside this elite group to place their books in the hands of readers. Interestingly, often, it’s these books that scoop up the awards and develop cult-like followings (ahem, Colleen Hoover?). 

The timing for my book deal was interesting as well—it came just as I was *this* close to self-publishing my book. 

For many of the authors that I coach and work with, self-publishing offers more control over their brand, and business, than any publisher could ever provide. And there’s the immediate gratification too, as you don’t have to wait the 2 years that’s standard with traditional publishing to see your book come out. The entrepreneur in me was excited to see what I could do on my own, and I am a bit of a control freak ;)

Still, I’m thrilled about where I landed. A small press offers the intimate relationship with a team and readers that I desire. I have a more significant say than I would had I gone with a traditional publisher, I retain more of my rights and I still have a fantastic team of editors, publicists and production managers to support me the entire way through. 

You’re in the right place if you want to follow along on my publishing journey—I’m happy to continue sharing as I embark on this new stretch as we move closer to my book launch. 

And if you have any questions in the meantime, you know where to find me. I’m still answering my own emails (you can reach me at hello@passionprojectpod.com), at least for now ;)

Cat xo

PS: Stay tuned for my next live event and interview series, launching June 14, to learn  all about launching, marketing and selling your book. Details coming soon!

Expert tips from my upcoming Success Story interview series

I’m having so much fun interviewing best-selling authors and publishing experts for my next series, called Success Story, which is all about how to market, launch and sell your book. Today I got to chat with Nick Uskoski, Head of Content and Creator Development at Wattpad, and author and Wattpad star Tamara Lush. I’ll be releasing details on the series launch soon, but in the meantime, here are a few juicy tidbits I just couldn’t wait to share with you:

From Nick:

-Authenticity and connection is the name of the game, so lean in. The more you do, the more your community will grow.

-When it comes to any book really, but especially web and serial novels, it’s all about the hook and the cliffhanger. Study the greats and get awesome at both.

-Passion and joy are contagious, so enjoy the process and the journey. Your readers will feel it.

From Tamara:

-The best way to market your book is to write another book.

-What you want for your cover might not resonate with your audience—this is the time to lean on your team, network and industry experts for guidance on a cover that sells.

-Use tropes but don’t be afraid to subvert—sometimes NOT giving readers what they (think they) want is what they’ll enjoy the most.

Have a question about books, publishing and writing? Write me at hello@passionprojectpod.com for the chance to have your question answered in a future newsletter!

Stop the self-sabotage

I had a major epiphany last week, at church. One of my friends was sharing how she had noticed that the very thing she was fearful of, she was creating in her life. Basically, she saw how she continues to traumatize herself by recreating her initial trauma. 

I realized I had been doing the same.

I’m sharing this because we do this. We sabotage ourselves over and over again. You’re probably doing it right now. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself: What stories are you telling yourself about your passion project, whatever that might be? Whether it’s a book you want to write, or a business you want to launch—what are you telling yourself about why it can’t happen or can’t happen right now?

It’s likely the same thing you’ve been telling yourself your whole life. And it’s not necessarily true. 

My parents split up when I was 7 and what I’m realizing is that to my 7-year-old brain, it seemed I had been kicked out of a club. I spent the rest of my days being simultaneously afraid of getting kicked out/rejected AND doing everything I can TO get kicked out of the club/job/clique. 

It’s the most messed up version of Fear of Failure/Fear of Success I’ve ever come face to face with. And we all do it.

So here’s your wakeup call. What’s your deepest fear? And looking over the pattern of your life, how has that surfaced time and time again?

That’s some pretty deep programming, but I know one thing’s for sure. The next time I spot that train coming, I’m finally ready to choose a different platform.

Tell yourself a different story. 

Cat xo

PS: I have some exciting news!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Unfortunately, you’ll just have to wait a little longer to find out. Stay tuned!

Q: What do I do when I have a finished first draft?

As I like to say, a first draft is NOT your book. A first draft is a first draft—a great beginning. From there I encourage you to self-edit and revise as much as possible. When you find yourself no longer making sweeping changes to your story or book, and just tweaking it here and there—it’s time to walk away, and share it with a feedback partner. That can look like a writing critique buddy, a Beta reader or an editor. The goal here is constructive feedback and the focus should be on what are the opportunities for growth and improvement. Make sure your reader enjoys the kind of book you’ve written. Bonus points if they fall into the category of your ideal reader.

Have a question for me? Contact me for the chance to have it answered in a future newsletter!

Why relationships and networking matter

Relationships aren't the first thing you think about when you think about writing…

More likely an image comes to mind of a lonely figure in a cabin in the woods, scribbling down their next magnum opus.

But the fact is it’s going to take a village to get your book in the best shape possible, and then to help spread the word when it’s ready to release to the world. From agents, editors and publishers, to your fellow writers, friends, followers, fans and future loyal readers.

That’s why I especially loved my chat with Emily Enger of Good Enough Book Marketing today for my upcoming interview series on Self-publishing (details to come!). During our talk, she shared about the importance of relationships and networking as part of your book marketing strategy, all the ways they can help you and your book thrive.

I’ll be sharing info soon on how you can sign up to watch the interviews, but in the meantime, it’s something to think about and even take some first intentional steps toward: How can you support other authors today, and how can you meet more people in this space?

Cat xo

PS: One surefire way to get to meet other authors, agents and publishers is to participate in contests.

I’m judging the 2023 Page Turner Awards and there’s still time to enter. Have a look at these Award Categories, and enter ASAP so you don’t miss this fun opportunity to connect with other writers and industry players. I’ll see you there!

Q: How do I find readers and an audience for my book?

Q: How do I find readers and an audience for my book?

You know the saying, If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear it? 

The shelves are lined with books, so if you’re going to get your book into readers’ hands, you can never start early enough.

When it comes to writing non-fiction, you can start thinking about your audience right now. It doesn't have to wait until you have a finished first draft, an agent, or a book deal. Speak to them via your platforms and social media channels. It’s also a great way to listen to what they’re talking about and discover what matters to them—and you can piggyback on to that.

If you're going to self-publish, then absolutely you want to have a built-in audience. You can start building your audience by creating a blog, a podcast, or social media presence. You can also start by writing articles or essays on your topic and submitting them to publications. This will help you establish yourself as an expert in your field and build your platform and credibility.

As for fiction, many authors connect with their audiences and other writers via newsletters and platforms like Substack. It’s a great place to see what other successful authors are doing, so you can start building your following.

The most important thing is to go out and find your readers. Connect with them and build a relationship. Make your stuff easy to find, and create the kinds of conversations you’re both interested in. As I’ve heard enough times to believe it’s true—you don’t need ALL the readers. You just need a few who are fanatical about YOU.