Early in my writing journey, I joined a writers’ group.
It was an off-shoot from a writing course I did.
We met once a month for 15 years.
We wrote stories about our life.
But more than that, we supported each other through life’s ups and downs.
The group only ended when two of our members passed away and another moved away.
A decade later, in 2015, I joined another writing group.
This time, formed from a fiction writing course called A Year of the Novel.
Five of us bonded over our novels, critiquing each other’s work and offering unwavering support.
We called ourselves Gutsy Gals.
It was more than just writing. It was a safe space to share ideas, struggles, and dreams—knowing we had each other’s backs.
When this group eventually dissolved, I found myself longing for that connection again.
So I created one.
Author Circle, a writing community on Substack.
We meet online every week to support each other’s writing journeys.
Rather than facing the challenges of writing and business-building alone, join us.
Let’s grow together.
Author: Neera
Start with the first sentence
Telling personal stories is hard, but it’s what makes you a writer.
When you share your stories, two things happen:
– You conquer your fear of vulnerability.
– You become better at storytelling.
Often the hardest thing is the first sentence.
Below are seven sentence openers for storytelling.
Focus on crafting a good first sentence.
The rest of the story will flow by itself.
What Chapter 1 of your book actually needs (and what it doesn’t)
Most writers obsess over Chapter 1.
They rewrite it 43 times.
They lose sleep over the first sentence.
And still get it wrong.
Here’s the truth after coaching dozens of authors
(and writing 8 books myself):
Chapter 1 is not where you show off.
It’s where you hook the reader and earn their trust.
Chapter 1 doesn’t need:
– Your resume
– A full life story
– Long preambles about “why I wrote this book”
– Fancy quotes from dead philosophers
So, what does Chapter 1 actually need?
1. A clear articulation of the problem
If your reader doesn’t see their problem in the first few pages, they’ll never make it to the solution.
2. Your story, why you’re the one to write this book
Not your entire life story. Just the relevant part that makes us lean in and say, “Okay, I trust her.”
3. A crystal clear sense of who this book is for
One reader. One struggle. One reason they picked up this book.
4. A bold promise
Tell me how my life, business, mindset, or even my Sunday mornings, will change after reading this book.
That’s it.
No fluff. No philosophical quotes. No slow build.
Make Chapter 1 about your readers.
And I promise, they’ll follow you all the way to “The End.”
Slow down!
There is no rush.
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Last year, I made a deliberate decision to slow down.
Not just in one or two areas, but in everything I do—writing, exercising, cooking, crafting, even tidying up. I let go of the rush, the multitasking, and the constant sense of urgency that life often demands.
The result? I’m enjoying work and life so much more.
Surprisingly, I haven’t achieved less by slowing down.
In fact, I’ve noticed that I get the same amount of work done, often in the same amount of time.
The difference is in how I approach it.
When we slow down, we don’t do less, we simply do things differently.
We become more intentional, more aware, and more present in the moment.
Writing feels like an act of creativity instead of a task to complete.
Cooking turns into a mindful ritual rather than a chore.
Even the simplest tasks, like folding laundry or watering plants, become opportunities to connect with ourselves and the world around us.
Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping.
It means moving through life with awareness and purpose, savoring the moments instead of racing through them. And that awareness brings something we all crave: joy and satisfaction.
So, if life feels like it’s moving too fast, try this:
Slow down.
Breathe.
Be present.
You might just find that the slower pace leads to a richer, fuller life.
What’s one thing you’ll slow down on today?
Do you have a book in you?
If you wait to be a ‘good writer’ before you start writing your book,
you’ll never write it.
Perfection is the ultimate creative trap.
The truth is, no writer ever feels ready.
After years of working with aspiring authors, I’ve seen it time and again: those who wait to “get better” never start, and those who start, imperfectly, actually do get better.
Writing is a craft you learn by doing. But the myth of needing to be “good” keeps so many talented voices locked up.
The irony? You’ll become a better writer through the act of writing your book, not by waiting.
Every successful author I know took that leap before they felt fully ready.
They wrote through their doubts, learned from the process, and improved with every chapter.
They didn’t wait for permission or for some mythical moment when their writing was “good enough.”
– Writing a book isn’t just about the end result; it’s about growth.
– It’s about learning to express, organize ideas, and find your voice.
– There is no perfect moment to begin, but you’ll always grow if you start.
If you have a message, a story, or expertise worth sharing, don’t wait for “good.” Write your book, and watch yourself become the writer you aspire to be.
The only way to become a “good writer” is to start writing.
Do you have a book in you?
P.S.: Are you ready to get out of your own way and start writing it?
Subscribe to my newsletter ‘Author Circle’ to get the support you need.
Who am I to write a book?
I whispered to myself at 3 AM, staring at the blank document.
My cursor blinked mockingly.
Behind me were 15 years of writing experience
countless articles and blog posts
and a lifetime of experiences.
But that voice wouldn’t shut up:
“There are already so many experts out there…”
“What if people find out I know nothing?”
“What if this exposes me as a fraud?”
I closed my laptop, feeling like an imposter.
The irony? My readers were coming to me for advice,
treating my words like gold.
Yet here I was, hiding my insights from the world.
Sound familiar?
That’s when I realized: The world doesn’t need another perfect book.
It needs MY story.
MY perspective.
MY unique way of solving problems.
Because somewhere out there,
someone is struggling with the
exact challenge I’ve already conquered.
My “obvious” is someone else’s breakthrough.
That’s why I created the ‘Author Circle’
not just to help you write your book,
but to silence that voice that says you’re not enough.
Because the truth is:
You don’t write a book because you’re an expert.
You’re an EXPERT because you’ve lived it.
And that story deserves to be told.
P.S. Do you have a story to tell?
Subscribe to ‘Author Circle‘ for support.