Gretchen Reuben is the author of bestsellers Better Than Before and The Happiness Project. Her tribe follows her both in print and online. She also produces her own podcast Happy with Gretchen Reuben, where she talks about good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft and is named an all-time best podcast on iTunes in 2015. She started her career in law when she realized she wanted to be a writer.
She says of her transformation from law to writing, “For my transition, it wasn’t one moment, it was a series of events that happened over time.” At one point, she considered that writing could be a job for her instead of a hobby. Also, at this time, she went over to a friend’s house, and after talking with her friend, she realized that she wanted the same activity for her work and fun time. With an idea in mind for a book, she came to the realization that “if I was to ever try, now was the time to try.”
Gretchen remembers the ecstasy of getting an agent because, for her, that felt like the most significant milestone in her writing career. She was thrilled that someone would put money on her writing career and ambitions.
As for her writing process, Gretchen has never deviated from her original procedure. She does not recommend this to everyone; however, this is what she has found works best for her writing endeavors. Using mostly books and a passion for a topic, she fervently engages in going down the rabbit hole of investigation.
Listen in to find out why Gretchen focuses on using stories from her own life, how she grounds her writing when using specialized terms and how she came up with her idea for her book, The Happiness Project. Learn how novel and challenge make people happier, how she finds time to write, and the easiest way to make an action a habit.
Show Notes
[01:51] Moving from working in a law office in the Supreme Court to becoming a writer. [03:21] Gretchen realizes that if she is going to make a career change, now is the time. [05:02] Toughest part of her transition when working on her book. [06:30] Her writing and research process for each of her books. [09:02] Turning research and investigative notes into readable material. [11:42] For Gretchen, taking notes is a way for her mind to connect the dots of a story. [14:53] When writing, she focuses on using clear direct language and using stories from her own life. [18:39] How being on a crowded bus after running through a rainstorm gave her the idea for her book. [21:32] What is happiness and where can you find happiness in your life? [23:30] How Gretchen finds time to write her books. [27:00] Her personality framework and how she categorizes people. [28:30] “You’ve got to have a consistent habit if you’re going to be productive” and the Four Tendencies Framework. [33:18] Advice for new writers who are in the process of writing their first book. [37:20] Engage with Gretchen on social media!Links and Resources
Self-publishingschool.com Spsfreetraining.com Circle of Profit Recorder Plus Visit Gretchen on the web Gretchen on Instagram Connect with Gretchen on LinkedIn Take the Four Tendencies QuizANNOUNCEMENT: 2 New BIG Speakers for Author Advantage Live & Last Chance To Get Tickets!
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SPS 165: How To Write A Great Biography / Memoir with Phil Rosenkrantz
SPS 164: Turning Your Chronic Illness Into A Book That Impacts Millions Of Readers with Tori Geiger
SPS 163: The Artist Journey: A Path From Creativity To Bestselling Author & Business Growth with Nancy Hillis
SPS 162: How Are You, Really? - Behind The Scenes Of Writing & Launching My First Book with Jenna Kutcher
SPS 161: Sneak Peak: John C Maxwell Interview from AAL
SPS 160: Quitting My Corporate Because Of My Book with Mick Spiers
SPS 159: How To Get A Multi 6 Figure Advance With Your First Book with Brian Dixon
SPS 158: Lessons Learned In The Trenches Helping 1,000’s Of Authors with Brett Hilker
SPS 157: How To Write & Publish A Memoir That Makes A Difference (Behind The Scenes Of The SPS Coaching Process) with Kerk Murray
SPS 156: Enneagram For Authors: Using Your Enneagram Type To Write & Publish A Better Book with Ian Morgan Cron
SPS 155: The Happy Hustler’s Guide To Writing And Marketing A Book Without Burning Out with Cary Jack
SPS 154: Publishing A Faith-Based Book That Inspires Action & Spreads Your Message with Aaron Schafer
SPS 153: Writing A Children’s Book For Your Kids - How To Do It & Why You Should with Josiah Fogle
SPS 152: Let It Be Easy: Using Publicity & Instagram To Sell Books & Grow Your Business with Susie Moore
SPS 151: Growing Your Influence & Selling More Books Using Instagram with Jordan Lee Dooley
SPS 150: Speak & Write With No Fear with Mike Acker (From Speaker To Author)
SPS 149: The 4 Tendencies of Bestselling Authors & Writing Great Books with Gretchen Rubin
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