Ask the Author: Milo Shapiro
Answered Questions (6)
Milo Shapiro
Right now, I'm on a writing break, focusing more on publicizing my recently released "Public Speaking for TEENS: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!", my sequel to the adult version "Public Speaking: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!"
But for next year, there is something already in the works. A humor book based on a real-life experience with a friend. The "story" spans 13 or so years in this bizarre woman's life (not my friend; the character in the story). More on who Maggie Jennings is and what this book is about as it gets closer!
But for next year, there is something already in the works. A humor book based on a real-life experience with a friend. The "story" spans 13 or so years in this bizarre woman's life (not my friend; the character in the story). More on who Maggie Jennings is and what this book is about as it gets closer!
Milo Shapiro
After a speech where I was selling copies of my book, "Public Speaking: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" , I kept getting asked by attendees, "Is this book appropriate for teens (because many in the audience work with teen groups). I didn't know how to answer that. It was clean enough for a teen, but not geared for them...most of the examples were business office oriented. After I went home, I realized what a "Duh!" that was...they were asking me to write the next book and I was missing it! The result:"Public Speaking for TEENS: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" is very similar to the original, but worded more casually, with references that shouldn't get dated as quickly (like no teen I asked knew who Dear Abby was, so that story came out). Took about 18 months to write the first book and only about five to redo it for the teen audience.
Milo Shapiro
While working on "Public Speaking: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" and "Public Speaking for TEENS: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" , the inspiration for writing was in the strength of my outline. On days when I was really motivated, I could bang out 4-5 of the points on that outline which felt great. On days when I didn't feel like writing, I'd promise myself I could stop after one point...and I'd often do 2-3 in the end. Get the outline solid before starting.
Milo Shapiro
I cannot address fiction in the same way, but for non-fiction, in writing my two books, "Public Speaking: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" and "Public Speaking for TEENS: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" , I saw that writer's block could be an issue. I first decided upon all the chapter titles -- all the things I knew I wanted to cover. Then, before starting a sentence, I came up with ten points I wanted to cover in each chapter. That took care of all writer's block! Every day, I'd go to the current chapter and bang out the details of 2-3 of the ten points, finishing a chapter every 4-5 days of effort. It left my book in a fun-to-read "top 10" format while propelling me through the writing.
A well-outlined book will make it much easier for you to stay focused. Don't rush this process...I put a LOT of effort into the outline before starting.
Lastly, write that intro chapter at the end, not first. It's too daunting up front and you'll do a better job once you've already actually written the book you're introducing!
A well-outlined book will make it much easier for you to stay focused. Don't rush this process...I put a LOT of effort into the outline before starting.
Lastly, write that intro chapter at the end, not first. It's too daunting up front and you'll do a better job once you've already actually written the book you're introducing!
Milo Shapiro
The best thing about being a writer is being asked to speak about my topic (public speaking skills) or gaining coaching clients from the book. I'll never sell enough books to offset the amount of business that having WRITTEN the books has yielded me, being seen more as an expert for having those two books backing my credentials.
Milo Shapiro
In writing my two books, "Public Speaking: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" and "Public Speaking for TEENS: Get A's, Not Zzzzzz's!" , I first decided upon all the chapter titles -- all the things I knew I wanted to cover. Then, before starting a sentence, I came up with ten points I wanted to cover in each chapter. That took care of all writer's block! Every day, I'd go to the current chapter and bang out the details of 2-3 of the ten points, finishing a chapter every 4-5 days of effort. It left my book in a fun-to-read "top 10" format while propelling me through the writing.
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