Courting the Muse: The Work and Play Begin
1 No Degree? No Problem: The Myriad Ways to Become a Writer
2 Paying the Rent: Making a Living Before It Pays to Write
3 Permission and Prophecy: When Faith—Yours or Another’s—Fuels You
4 Dream Weaver: Inspiration’s First Spark
5 Scared Much?: Silencing the Bullies, Inner and Outer
6 Schedules and Sneaking Around: Finding the Time to Write
7 The Honeymoon Phase: Excitement, Execution, and Gaining Momentum
8 Dancing with the Muse: Coaxing and Cultivating Creativity
Toolkits and Dream Teams: The Nitty-Gritty of Delving Deeper
9 The Power of Shared Belief: Writing Groups and Accountability Buddies
10 Seduction of Seclusion: Where Writers Find Their Peace
11 Cookin’ with Gas: Productivity, Mindset, and Energy Hacks
13 Bagging the Big One: Catching and Keeping Your Literary Agent
14 Beautiful Book Proposals: Enchanting Publishers with THE Book About Your Book
Losing Your Religion: Handling Disbelievers and Haters (Even When That Hater Is You)
15 Rejection Only Feels Like Death: You’ll Laugh About This One Day
16 The Bitch of Comparison: When Everyone Else Hits the Big Time
17 Hook ’Em Narratives: Your Life Is Your Best Content
18 Edit, Edit, and Then Write Some More: Fun Fact: Writing Is Rewriting
19 Slippery as a Seal: The Gifts of Surrender
Birthing the Baby: Putting Your Work Out into the World
20 Nature Leaves Clues: Life Really Does Conspire to Help You
21 Divine Timing and Dreams Realized: Now All Those Delays Make Sense!