Following on from Part 1 of my collaboration with the Bali Babes- the ladies I met at a writing retreat in Bali last year- comes even more great advice and support from more amazing women following their dreams to become published authors.
So, strap yourself in and get to know more about these incredible people and the journeys they are on- and how they can help you along your own journey.
Shaara Ali
In Shaara's words:
“I'm a passionate life coach that helps women to explore their self-love journey, build healthy relationships and seek adventure in their lives.
“My mission is to create a safe space where you can be really honest with what your dream life looks like and what’s holding you back from getting there.
“I'm passionate about the issue of anxiety because it kept me immobile in my life regarding my personal goals and my overall freedom lifestyle.”
What she offers:
Life Coaching
Life Coaching Retreat, May 2019
Freebie: 5 Tips to Getting Over a Bad Breakup
- “Getting over a breakup can be tough and it leaves you with mental and emotional baggage to clear up. The good thing is that this vital time period in your life is perfect to prioritize loving on yourself and growing into the woman you want to be. I've created this freebie to help you love yourself through the hardship and turn that coal into a diamond!”
Any spoilers/what’s coming up:
Shaara has a few new things coming in 2019 including
- A retreat in Bimini May 2019 all about supporting women in combating their anxiety, accepting themselves through their self-love journey, and creating an action plan to live out their dream life.
- A detailed 6 month private coaching package supporting women to explore their self-love journey, build healthy relationships, and seek adventure in their lives in January of 2019.
- An online coaching program launching in July 2019
Shaara's links:
www.instagram.com/shaaraisabel
www.facebook.com/shaaraisabellifecoaching
www.shaaraisabel.com
What I love about Shaara and her platform:
What I love about Shaara is that she’s narrowed down the field that she wants to work in. She doesn’t just want to be any Life Coach, she wants to be a life coach for women who are struggling with really personal issues- like anxiety for instance. She doesn’t want to just hand out some advice and move on, she really wants to make a difference to her client’s lives.
Find a community, the more intimate the better, to keep you accountable.
What's the biggest lesson you learned about being a writer last year?
"The biggest thing I learned about being a writer last year is your first draft is going to look nothing like your final draft so don’t get caught up on whether you’re a good writer or not. Write, write, write. You will edit, you will tweak, and you will develop your writing along the way."
What's your best advice to a writer just starting out?
"My best advice to a writer just starting out is find a community, the more intimate the better, to keep you accountable and encourage you. The community I have found in the Bali Babes has changed my writing journey forever."
Sadie McKeown
In Sadie's words:
When talking about her platform Sadie says, “I like the idea of bringing creatives together and having place for people to feel less alone… You don’t have to fit into a box of what a writer “should” be, and being an author is a perfectly acceptable path to follow, even if others don’t understand.”
When talking about writing, she touches on it’s importance for her mental health… “Books were huge for me growing up. I make no attempt to hide the fact that I have dealt with depression most of my life. Reading and writing are some of the things that helped me. Books gave me a world to escape into, characters to connect with, relatable struggles, etc. And writing allowed me to create those things myself. The best way I’ve described it before is that after I write, I get a feeling that I would compare to a runner’s high. A writer’s high? lol. I notice how much clearer my head is, how relaxed I am… and even though sometimes I might wonder if what I wrote was any good… I will end most writing sessions feeling like I can do anything.
“I also like the idea of my books possibly being that escape for someone else in the future. For them to be able to put my book in their hands and escape into the world I created. And possibly to inspire other writers to pursue their passion.”
What she offers:
Sadie has a YouTube channel where she gives some writing advice along with some honest motivation. She is also slowly adding some videos to her channel for a little comic relief. Sadie believes that it’s easy to get bogged down in all the advice videos and having something goofy on occasion is great to get us through a rough week.
Any spoilers/what’s coming up:
Sadie has plans for her new author website, which she hopes to have up by the end of June. She says, it will be a basic site to begin with, with info about herself and her writing. Then she has plans to share the first three sections of her book on her site, set up writing sprint groups, and have a store for some writerly things- how exciting!
She also hopes to start a creative writing group for local middle schoolers in the future. She likes the idea of helping to foster creativity at a young age. The English Department at the university that she attended had a creative writing group for high school kids and she thought that was a great idea, and wants to provide something similar for younger writers.
Don’t let your own self-doubts and imposter syndrome stop you. If this is something that fills you with joy— go for it!
Sadie’s links:
What I love about Sadie and her platform:
I love how honest Sadie is when it comes to her anxiety and depression. Props often go to those who claim they have crippling anxiety and still manage to “do it all” despite their struggles. Don’t get me wrong, props should go to these people, but I also think that some major props should go to those who can be honest amidst the pain. Those who can be raw and vulnerable, and show us (yes, I made a show vs tell pun) that they are just like us, that we are not alone- because there’s nothing more annoying when you’re mid panic attack, watching a video of a happy smiling person listing all the ways they “fixed” their anxiety.
Sadie has a really natural and honest vibe about what she does across her platform. And not only does her honesty about her struggles remind me that I’m not alone in mine, but it also reminds me to push forward and keep going. And that is something really special.
What's the biggest lesson you learned about being a writer last year?
“I think one big thing that I’ve learned and started to come to terms with is that, it’s ok to follow your own path. I have wanted to be a writer for years and either had people that thought it was a waste of time, or that just didn’t support my dreams in general. Not everyone was like that though. I have family that has been supportive.
“It’s hard when your dream is something that you can’t guarantee will bring enough money in to support your family. I would absolutely love to make a living off writing and things tied to my platform. But it’s ok to still work on the dream while having another job in the meantime and many other writers do.
“Another thing, which ties into the next question, would be to not let imposter syndrome stop you. Many of us deal with it, and it’s really hard not to play the comparison game sometimes. I would say that is another thing that kept me from pursuing my writing fully in the past. I felt like my writing wasn’t good enough compared to others. These days it’s just small things sometimes too. I understand a lot of aspects of English, grammar, writing, and its rules. However, I can’t always articulate it well like other writers can and sometimes just that can make me feel like I’m a fraud when it comes to writing.”
What's your best advice to a writer just starting out?
"Don’t let your own self-doubts and imposter syndrome stop you. Every writer is at a different level… some are just starting out and learning, other have been writing for years and are still working on their craft. Some writers are great with words but terrible spellers, or can paint a picture like no other, but may not be the best with certain grammatical rules. Things like that don’t make someone any less of a writer…we have critique partners and editors for a reason! We’re all human.
"I think that self-doubt/imposter syndrome are easily the top things that keep people from following their writing dreams. It’s all too easy to second guess yourself and your abilities in general, and even more so when you start comparing yourself to others. Don’t let it stop you though. If this is something that fills you with joy— go for it! Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game and all that jazz lol.
"If I had to pick a secondary piece of advice, it would be to get involved in the writing community. Find an in-person writing group or find people to follow online and join in on writing sprints or connect with people in some other way. It does wonders to have community if you feel unsupported and alone on your journey. It is also great if you need that extra push/motivation and can sometimes help with the self-doubt too."
Sarah Golden
In Sarah's words:
Sarah is the kind of person who you just get, because she gets it.
“Honestly, writing for me has always been a way to stay sane. I’m one of those people who started writing stories the moment I could hold a crayon. It’s more important now that I am a mother to take time and write. I think it’s good for my kids to see me following my dreams. That I have a passion outside of the home – even though I love my home and I adore my children and I am so grateful to be their mother.
“I started my Instagram account as a way to connect with other writers. Writing can be lonely! Having writing friends is such an amazing thing, because they can relate to your experiences and support you when you’re down, and be cheerleaders when things are going great.”
What Sarah offers:
Sarah says “I don’t really offer anything. Embarrassed emoji.” But let’s be real, we all have something to offer- even if we don’t see the value in ourselves, others do. In Sarah’s case, she is incredibly real. Not just bringing all the #honesty moments, but actually showing us her struggles as well as her successes- because let’s face it, there’s plenty of both. What else? “Also, lots of nerd stuff.”
If you subscribe on her website, you’ll also receive a free printable NaNoWriMo calendar and time tracker! And who doesn’t need these? I know I do!
*Update: Since talking to Sarah and drafting the above section about her worth, she has also added a blog to her website. Make sure to head to her blog and give it a read. (It’s pretty funny if I do say so myself.)
Any spoilers/what’s coming up:
Who signed with a literary agent this year? This girl did!
Sarah is so excited to be working on revisions for her crime caper, Stolen Pieces, thanks to the feedback from her new agent. She has plans to go on submission later this year- and we’re all so excited for her.
“Insert flailing and screaming.”
Sarah's links:
What I love about Sarah and her platform:
One of the first conversations I had with Sarah was about embracing your dream, no matter how big or small it is, and knowing that it is enough. I had this massive heart felt convo with someone who, mere moments prior, was practically a stranger. And that conversation has stuck with me ever since. And that is what I love about Sarah.
Sarah is honest and relatable on a ground level. You don’t have to “level up” to understand her. You don’t have to have everything figured out to dream with her. You can just be you, and she’ll be her, and there is no pressure- but plenty of encouragement.
So often now, people can get in that ‘entrepreneur’ mindset, focusing so far ahead and striving for the best of everything, that you are instantly intimidated by them- just because they are in a league of their own. And that’s great for them, but it can make you feel really small in comparison.
Sarah doesn’t have that affect on people. Not because she doesn’t have dreams, work hard, or push herself to do better, but because she gives off a vibe of instant likeability and relatability. When Sarah smiles and says hi your shoulders relax, your heart warms, and you instantly go over to strike up a conversation. Because you know that whether you talk about the daunting query trenches or the chemical structure of a pickle, you’ll walk away from that convo with a laugh, a smile, and having learned something you didn’t before- about the trenches, the pickle, or even better, about yourself.
Have fun daydreaming about your story, have fun coming up with your characters, have fun writing!
What's the biggest lesson you learned about being a writer last year?
“To be brave! I love my comfort zone, don’t get me wrong. And I do write for me, so if no one ever read it, if my manuscripts just sat in my closet until the day I die, I’d consider that a success. But I do want more. I’ve always wanted to hold my published book in my hands. To go into a book store or a library and find it. For my grandkids to be able to pick it up and read it when I’m gone and get a glimpse into who I was. Staying in my comfort zone was never going to achieve that. So, I reached out. I made writing friends, and critique partners. And their support has made all the difference. Like I said, I signed with a literary agent in February. I never would have queried in October without the support of my friends. And I never would have made those friends if I hadn’t decided to be brave.”
What’s your best advice to a writer just starting out?
“Have fun! Don’t worry about markets, potential readers, or even grammar all that much. Have fun daydreaming about your story, have fun coming up with your characters, have fun writing! Remember why you opened that blank document in the first place.”
Nothando Swan
In Nothando's words:
“In a society that emphasizes specialization and stability for career success, multi-passionate working women can find themselves burnt out, guilty and regretful. I'm lucky enough to be living out each of my passions through medicine, writing and traveling, but it wasn't always this way. For a long time, I worried that I wasn't as smart as the other people in medical school and that I wasn't a "real writer." Forget that! I'm all about helping women to reshape their interests as assets and work them into their lives, because it's okay to have more than one passion.”
What Nothando offers:
Blog- posts written every other week to help you be more productive while prioritizing your self-care, because it's way too easy to get caught in the hustle without making time for your soul.
Worksheets and other printables for monthly newsletter subscribers- get free productivity and self-care tools to serve your dreams and check in on your progress towards them over time.
Nothando’s Instagram feed is filled with travel inspiration, productivity and self-care tips.
Any spoilers/what’s coming up:
Nothando’s first book is in the works. It’s a non-fiction piece that outlines the 5-step process she used to make space for each of her passions in a sustainable way- so now you can do it too.
Have you seen Nothando’s IG page? Not only is it full of productivity and self-care tips, but there are also gorgeous pictures of our time in Bali, and photos of her next destination will be coming up soon!
Nothando's links:
I'm all about helping women to reshape their interests as assets and work them into their lives, because it's okay to have more than one passion.
What I love about Nothando and her platform:
If you mindlessly scroll down Nothando’s IG feed, it would be easy to see a beautiful girl in a pretty land, living the life, and making us all jealous. But who is mindlessly scrolling through this girls feed- NOT ME! Because once you read the caption under one of those picturesque images you quickly notice how intentional this woman is with her platform and the message she has for us all- one of love and embracing all that is wonderful. And she’s nailed it in tone too. I love how positive and uplifting she keeps everything, while still being real- and not crossing over into barf worthy sweetness. Nothando has a very classy feel about her platform, embracing positivity and growth across all areas of life.
What's the biggest lesson you learned about being a writer last year?
"Being a writer means just that: writing. It is so easy to get side-tracked by others’ opinions, and by the eons of rules and advice we can find online and in person, but at the end of the day, as soon as you get those words out of your head and onto paper or a screen, then you’re a writer."
Well, that's all folks. These women have been so instrumental in motivating me to keep writing, encouraging me to dream big, and reminding me to be myself no matter what. And the beauty of that is, that's not just based on personal connections. This is a tribe of people who genuinely care about being better versions of themselves, and sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience to help others become the best versions of them too.
So, reach out and connect with these women, but also connect with other people around you. Whether in person or online, make sure to connect with other writers and collate your tribe. Trust me, you won't regret it- you can thank me later. ;)
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