Success leaves clues. I’ve heard this said over and over again, and it’s so true.
This means you can find the keys to success by learning from those who have already succeeded. Their behaviors, attitudes, habits, methodologies, techniques, approaches, and ways of seeing the world all tell you something about how you, too, can find success. There’s no need to create a new path to success; just follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before.
As a journalist, I discovered that one of the best ways to find these clues was to interview people—specifically people who I wanted to emulate. If I could gain access to those people who had achieved the type of success, I, too wanted to achieve, I could learn from them—one-on-one. Which brings us to today’s prompt, which is adapted from a training exercise in The Author Training Manual: Develop Marketable Ideas, Craft Books That Sell, Become the Author Publishers Want, and Self-Publish Effectively.
Nonfiction Writing Prompt #29: Follow Success Clues
To complete this prompt, find another author you know and admire and interview him or her for your own purposes, not for publication. If you don’t know one personally, act like a journalist and contact one whose level of success inspires you.
During the interview, ask how the author has achieved success. ask about all aspects of his or her life. List for behaviors, attitudes, habits, methodologies, techniques, approaches, and ways of seeing the world.
Be a sleuth. Look for success clues.
What did you discover? Leave me a comment.
For more information on how to create nonfiction book ideas that are marketable and that support your writing goals, join the NFWU. When you do, you’ll receive this month’s Nonfiction Writers’ University (NFWU) homework assignment, which contains more exercises and information on this topic. Plus, you’ll have access to the growing archive of past homework assignments and NFWU event recordings as well as some introductory gifts worth more than the membership! Members also get additional bonuses during the year.
Next NFWU event: FREE teleseminar on 7/8 at 5 pm PT: The Three Shifts You Need to Make to Succeed as an Author with Rochelle Melander (The Write Now Coach). Register here. (No membership required.)
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