The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book Cynthia Morris’ The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book is penned for women, with a particular bent to those who teach or consult. It serves both first-time authors who believe they have something unique to say and book-writing veterans who feel stuck in their craft. “The pain of hoarding ideas and never executing them is soul crushing,” she writes in the introduction. “It’s better to give things a try and see what happens than to always wonder if you could have written that book.”
The author’s writing style is straightforward and clean, as is the format: short, well-organized chapters, a flow that makes sense, and a tone that’s both authoritative and reassuring, as in: “There will be times when you sag with despair and cry out, ‘This is a mess!’ Rest assured. This is normal.”
Topics addressed range from issues most people face at some point, including the decision of whether to self-publish and ignoring naysayers, to the process of writing, revising and finishing. Morris offers advice on how to avoid the urge to excessively research during the writing phase, how to write a “shaggy” first draft and much more. Highlighted boxes interject side tips, such as how to get back on track when life happens, and brief exercises close most chapters. At book’s end, helpful checklists recap the main points. All told, Morris does an excellent job of breaking down a seemingly insurmountable project into bite-size, step-by-step pieces.
Despite its attention to detail, The Busy Woman’s Guide isn’t just about honing technique or choosing the right software. It’s also about making a difference. To women, the author says, “Our voices and ideas are needed to help build a new way of being.”
Will a book coached by Morris change the world? Probably not. But it could be a game-changer for the woman who conquers her doubts, follows the author’s solid advice, and writes something that matters to her.
