Emily Grabatin's Blog, page 2

How to Organize Writing Ideas: Tools for Authors

When I finally decided I was actually going to write my book, the excitement was undeniable—but so was the overwhelm. How do I store and organize writing ideas? I wondered. I had my topic nailed down, but the thought of starting from scratch felt daunting. That’s when I remembered something that energized my whole process: Evernote.

One morning, I was lying in bed, feeling inspired with a story that needed to fit into the book somewhere. I opened my app to create a new note, and stumbled upon a t...

52 Journal Prompts for Making Decisions at Life’s Crossroads

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a loop of indecision, endlessly weighing pros and cons, trying to find the “perfect” choice? Try finding clarity with some journal prompts for making decisions.

As an Enneagram 1w9, I get it—striving for the right decision while maintaining peace within can feel like an exhausting balancing act. Add in trying to discern God’s will for your life and relationships, and decisions feel even weightier. Our natural drive for perfection, integrity and avoiding regre...

Finding Time to Write: 5 Approaches for Busy Lives

Life can often feel like a whirlwind, can’t it? Between managing a demanding job, juggling family commitments (hello, kids!), nurturing our spiritual lives through church activities, and giving our time to various volunteer efforts, it’s no wonder may of us are left wondering: How do I find time to write?

Of course we have the responsible choice to ask, How do I make time to write? But that’s not exactly a light switch of revelation, either. At least, not often a sustainable one.

And let’s be hone...

Book Writing for Self Discovery, Growth Mindset and More Benefits

When you think about writing a book—whether it’s a memoir, non-fiction, or devotional—you probably picture yourself sharing your wisdom or telling your story to help others. But what if I told you that writing a book is just as much about helping you as it is about impacting someone else?

Growth through Writing for Self Discovery

I knew when I started writing Dare to Decide that I would touch on seasons of self-discovery in my life. Little did I know that the entire book-writing experience would t...

29 Free and Paid Ways to Promote Your Book Birthday

Congratulations on your book birthday, author!

If you’re a busy, heart-centered author, you’d probably rather write or live your life than be in the limelight. But if you don’t promote your book, chances are slim others won’t know about or remember either. One sweet time to do that is by celebrating your book’s birthday! Though this is certainly not the only time to promote your book, this special day is a milestone—it’s a chance to honor your hard work and connect with your readers in a meaningf...

Summer Serenity: Balancing Writing and Relaxation as an Author

Ah, summer! The season of long, sunny days, warm nights, and the perfect time to unwind after a busy year. As an author, you might wonder how to balance enjoying your summer while still making progress on your non-fiction book. It’s possible to do both with a bit of planning and creativity. Here are ideas for can balancing writing and relaxation this summer.

Create a Summer Bucket List

First things first, decide what you want most out of your summer by creating a bucket list. What does res...

Storytelling: A Self-Discovery Path to Live a Better Story

One book that truly stirred my dreams and gave me the courage to pursue them is Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story. How powerful storytelling can be in shaping our lives and defining who we become! This enchanting memoir took me on a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. Inspired by this book, I stopped settling in life and decided to live a better story. This led me to start my life and leadership coaching training.

Don’...

5 Words You Want to Hear When You’re Working Hard

His webinar made me cry. Sometime you don’t know the 5 words you want to hear until you hear them.

I was in the early stages of growing my coaching business and figuring out this online entrepreneurial world and the learning never seemed to end. Everything took longer than I expected. And often it was so hard to distinguish between busy work and the tasks that would actually make progress and impact.

In his webinar, online course creation guru Danny Iny told a story of a moment in the ear...

Empowering Authors: Overcoming Vulnerability vs Victim Mindset

As I wrote my book, Dare to Decide, I found myself faced with a challenge familiar to any new coach, leader or influencer when it’s time to step out with their message: vulnerability vs victim mindset. Knowing the difference, and addressing it accordingly, can make all the difference in how you show up to share your message—and how people respond to you.

Most of my 20s I spent feeling vulnerable, insecure and powerless. I didn’t realize until much later that I was stuck in a victim mindset.

...

Crafting Lasting Impressions: How to Captivate and Connect with Readers

One evening, a bathroom tile taught me how to connect with readers if you want to write an unforgettable book.

I walked up the steps to the home where a local writers’ group was meeting. As I rapped on the door, I noticed a large white tile leaning against the brick exterior. Random. But something inside me twitched.

The tile reminded me of my family’s bathroom renovation project. The project started with my husband and I musing: “Let’s replace our cruddy shower surround and freshen up the...