The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Let’s Talk Research

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Doing research for your book

Research. Some writers love it, some don’t, but with nonfiction (and fiction), it is a critical part of your writing.

Readers won’t hesitate to tell you when your facts are wrong. That damages your credibility, and that reader might put down your book the moment they spot an inaccuracy. That same reader may very well never purchase another of your books. All the more reason to ensure your facts are accurate (even in fiction).

“Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you” (Luke the Physician in Luke 1:3).

Luke tells us he “carefully investigated everything” before writing his gospel account of Jesus’ life. In other words, he did his research first! I especially like that word carefully because these days with the Internet and AI at our fingertips, it’s easy to find information, but you can’t always trust that content. Be sure to read the “16+ Free Online Resources” for trustworthy places to start.

Verify Research Using More Than One Source

Check the accuracy of any AI or Internet information you get with 2-3 other sources. Don’t discount the good old fallback of a book from the city library (or a university library). And don’t hesitate to ask librarians manning the reference desk for help. They’re a fount of info.

I rather doubt Luke had many written sources he could reference. That means he probably “interviewed” a lot of people. You can do the same. Ask friends, family, acquaintances, professionals if they can answer a few questions about your topic or refer you to someone who can.

I don’t want to repeat here what I’ve already written, so here are 3 previous posts on research that each focus on a different aspect of the task:
https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/doing-research-for-your-book/
https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/mistakes-in-doing-research/
https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/16-free-online-resources-research-novel/ (very applicable to nonfiction too)

Happy hunting!

Should I Write About My Personal Experience?

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Many people, when first deciding to write a book, land on what they know best: a personal experience. This is exactly where I started. But publishers like originality, and as Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us, “there is nothing new under the sun” (NKJV).

Carried by Grace, a story of personal experience

My first book dealt with child sexual abuse by a family member. It’s been 10-plus years since I wrote Carried by Grace, but even then there were thousands of books on the topic. That meant my book had to have a unique angle on the topic, which it did: I was the mother of the victim and the book addressed a mother’s healing. (Carried by Grace is available in my bookstore and at Amazon.) At the time, there were no other books to help mothers navigate that journey.

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4 Simple Questions for Decision-Making

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4 simple questions to help you make a decision

Just make a decision!

How many times has someone said that to you?

Many people struggle to make a decision. Should I or shouldn’t I do this? Is this a good idea for my business (or life)? What will my friends think of me if I do this? What if I make a mistake?

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Jeremiah and Words From God

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As I write this (Feb. 28), my daily Bible reading took me to Jeremiah 15.

Wow, if any prophet ever had hard, it was Jeremiah! He is known as the “weeping prophet,” and yes, like us all he got discouraged at times. Chapter 15 is one such point.

A little backstory: Israel and Judah had turned their backs on God so many times that God himself says “You have abandoned me and turned your back on me…I am tired of always giving you another chance” (vs. 6 NLT). Jeremiah constantly warned them that God’s destruction bore down on them.

I imagine that can weigh a person down. And it did.

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The Ghostwriting Process – Part 2

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ghostwriting

This is a continuation of guest blogger Kristin Noland’s post on ghostwriting. If you missed part 1, you’ll want to go back and read it.

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The Ghostwriting Process – Part 1

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This month’s posts are from guest blogger Kristin Noland.

With over 80 manuscripts to her name—including two bestsellers, one a military thriller—Kristin has spent her career helping authors bring their stories to life and position their work for success. From intricate world-building to sharp pacing, intricate plots, and characters who stay with readers long after the last page, she has her clients’ backs.

As a ghostwriter and editor specializing in speculative and crime fiction, she works with authors to strengthen narrative structure, ensuring every plot point builds toward a compelling conclusion; refine style and voice, polishing language to capture her client’s unique storytelling voice; and prepare their books for the marketplace by aligning the manuscript with what agents, publishers, and readers are looking for.

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Crafting Vivid Story Settings

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Crafting vivid story settings is all about making your readers feel like they’re actually there! But how does a writer accomplish that? I do great with dialog, never an issue coming up with things for people to say, but I still struggle with description. I have to work at it (usually in the self-editing stage), so don’t fret if you find yourself on the ship with me.

That said, let’s dive in.

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Embrace Change

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Change. Most of us don't like it. But like a caterpillar to a butterfly, it's essential to our growth.

Change. Sometimes we willing embrace it—like getting a new computer. Sometimes it’s forced on us—like getting downsized. Either way, it’s rarely easy. Why is that?

Because we prefer to stay in our comfort zone, no matter how uncomfortable we are with what’s in our comfort zone. But like a caterpillar to a butterfly, change is essential to our growth.

I put off buying a new computer for more than a year, even though I knew full well I needed one. I put up with the glitches and the slow speeds because that was easier than the work involved in getting a new one up and running with all my special programs and my files transferred from my hard drive. (Transition made in late December 2024 and no, it wasn’t easy, though my IT-savvy son made it possible!)

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