Creating Happy Writers Steph Caswell

Are you a non-fiction writer looking to leverage the power of AI to enhance your writing process? From research to editing, AI-powered tools can help you streamline your workflow and create better content faster.

In this episode, I share my top picks for AI tools to assist you at every stage of the writing journey.

During it, you'll discover:





How AI can help you find relevant information quickly during the research phase, saving you countless hours of trawling through articles and publications.
AI tools for brainstorming and outlining so you can easily generate new ideas and structure your book.
How AI-powered editing and proofreading tools can help you refine your manuscript and catch errors you might have missed.
My favourite AI tools for writers, including Othersideai, Copy.ai, Writesonic, and Grammarly - and how to use them effectively.

And LOTS more!

Incorporating AI into your writing process doesn't mean replacing your ‘humanness’ - i.e. your creativity and expertise. Instead, it's about tapping into these powerful tools to enhance your skills and free up more time for the actual writing. Hurrah!

Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, this episode will provide practical insights and recommendations to help you harness the power of AI in your non-fiction writing.

Enjoy!

Books/resources mentioned in this episode:





Episode 28 - Using AI to Write Your Non-Fiction Book

The Creative Penn Podcast - How Generative AI Search Will Impact Book Discoverability in the Next Decade





Further resources from me





My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.




Ways to work with Steph 



Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music

Once you’ve finished your first draft, you might be wondering what on earth to do next! Do you send it straight to your editor? How can you refine it down to a draft you can be proud of? 

In this episode, I share my step-by-step guide to self-editing your manuscript before you send it to a professional.

During it, you’ll discover:




Why it’s important to self-edit your work and how to get your manuscript into the best shape possible before sending it to an expert.



The five stages to self-editing and how to approach each of them with confidence - plus two additional tips to help you through the process.



The right time to send your work to beta readers so you can get that all-important feedback before publication.


And LOTS more!

Self-editing can feel daunting if you’re a first-time author - especially if you don’t feel confident in your grammar and punctuation skills. But this isn’t about perfection; it’s about getting your manuscript into as good a shape as YOU can before handing it over to the pros. 

Using the stages I share in this episode, you can be sure your editor will be in the best position to do their magic!

Enjoy!

Books/resources mentioned in this episode:





Episode 34 - with guest editor Jessica Brown




Further resources from me





My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.




Ways to work with Steph 



Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music

If there’s one thing that matters above all others when it comes to writing, it’s mindset. You could be the greatest writer ever, but if you can’t get past your blocks and put the right head on your shoulders, it means diddly squat. 

So, I’ve dedicated this episode to helping you shift your thinking and develop an approach that will move you forward.

During it, you’ll discover:




How to embrace the ‘shitty first draft’ so you can stop overthinking and start writing!



What to do when imposter syndrome and the inner critic set up camp and try to bring you down



How to banish any limiting beliefs about your writing ability and feel more confident



Why embracing a growth mindset over a fixed mindset can help you develop a fresh new perspective.


And LOTS more!

So many incredible authors have been left undiscovered or unread because they couldn’t grasp the mindset stuff. Believe me, it matters more than your writing skills. Get the right perspective, and you’ll find you have what it takes to get your book over the finish line. And hey, you’ll even enjoy it more along the way! Winning!

Books/resources mentioned in this episode:





The 5 Second Rule - Mel Robbins




Further resources from me





My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.




Foundations Programme - all the information you need to join the next cohort


Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music

Today is a milestone episode, and to celebrate, I thought we’d talk about something I think has the most profound impact on writers I work with - good writing habits! After all, they make the difference between ‘thinking’ about writing a book and actually writing one. 

But what do good writing habits actually look like? Well, that’s where Atomic Habits comes in - a book that’s proved to be a game-changer for writers seeking to build and maintain the habits necessary to bring their own projects to life 

During it, you’ll discover:





Why adopting the identity of a ‘writer/author’ can help you embrace the regular habits you need to be successful
How ‘habit stacking’ can make learning new writing habits far easier and how I’ve done this when building a regular writing practice
Why designing your environment can really help to make writing a natural and attractive part of your daily routine

And LOTS more!

Atomic Habits has had a big influence on my writing career - it’s no surprise it’s one of the biggest-selling non-fiction books of all time. Hopefully, this episode has given you a taster of how you can apply it to your writing practice, giving you the boost you need to build regular habits that help you get your book finished. 

Enjoy! 

Books/resources mentioned in this episode:






Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Power of Habit - by Charles Duhigg

Tiny Habits - BJ Fogg

Switch and dial article - Eric Nelson on LinkedIn

Adam Grant on The Diary of a CEO podcast - values and beliefs

How to Write and Embrace Your S****y First Draft - CHW episode #23

Growth Mindset Principles for Writers - CHW episode #15





Further resources from me





My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.





Foundations Programme - all information and waiting list for the next cohort.


Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music

Does social media overwhelm you? Are you struggling to attract new readers on your platforms? Well, have I got the guest for you!

Nicola Washington is a social media strategist who specialises in teaching writers how to use Instagram to build their readership. After 12 years as a secondary school teacher, Nicola retrained as a social media manager and spent seven years working with small businesses and brands. 

At the start of 2023, she pivoted to supporting writers with their online profiles, bringing her work life more in line with her passions. 

Listen to discover:





Common problems writers have when using social media - and, more importantly, how to use it to connect with your audience and have them chomping at the bit to buy your books.
How to make social media a manageable task when it comes to book promo - to take away the overwhelm which can stop many authors from using it to promote their books and build a community.
The emergence of Substack as a platform for writers and what we’re both learning from the experience - if you’re thinking about joining it, we share what we think are the great bits about it - and the not-so-great.
Nicola’s top tips for using social media to your advantage - and some simple, practical strategies to adopt when building it into your author brand.



And lots more!

Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, this episode is packed with simple, actionable strategies to help you harness the power of social media and build a thriving community around your author brand. So, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to take your social media game to the next level

Enjoy!

Further resources





Connect with Nicola:
Website
Instagram

Substack



My book - ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book to Grow Your Business’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.



Information about my Foundations group programme





Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music

It’s all too easy to lose confidence when writing - after all, we’re putting our work out into the world for people to read, and that can test anyone’s courage! 

But a lack of confidence becomes a problem when it stops you from writing or publishing your work - which leads to frustration and disappointment for you, the aspiring author.

Well, that’s where this episode swoops in to help!

During it, you’ll discover:





The seven most common reasons writers lose confidence and why - perhaps you’ll recognise yourself in a few of them!
How my own confidence is currently being challenged during my novel-writing journey and how it’s linked to the four stages of competence that we all go through when learning/doing something new.
Simple strategies you can put in place immediately to help you feel more confident and trust that you do have the ability to write the book you aspire to write - because you really do!



And lots more!

We all go through periods where we lack confidence and wonder whether we’re ‘good enough’ to write a book. It’s natural when attempting something you’ve never done before - and even if you’re an experienced writer, those thoughts and doubts can creep up on you when you’re least expecting it. I hope this episode gives you the boost you need to sit at your desk with a renewed sense of courage and determination and, most importantly, with a smile on your face.

Further resources





My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.



Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.





Foundations Programme - all information and waiting list for the next cohort.


Connect with Steph:

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

Use #creatinghappywriters

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
Apple Spotify Amazon

Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify
Amazon Music