We recently connected with Cindy Childress and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cindy, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
It took me two years to complete my dissertation for my Ph.D. The first year, I didn’t do much besides writing my prospectus. I was so overwhelmed that I was paralyzed. The next year I finished it and graduated. What changed is I became more afraid of not finishing than of trying and failing, and I made an outline and schedule to chunk out the work so it felt less daunting.
I find that writer’s block comes from two things: either a fear of something or a knowledge/idea gap. We can’t write if we don’t know what to write or if, even at a subconscious level, we’re afraid to write it.
When I don’t have the right idea, I return to the purpose of that piece of writing and why the audience wants to read it. This should tell me what to cover, the appropriate level of depth, and the tone. I do this one idea at a time instead of expecting myself to have it all figured out before I write a word. When fear holds me back, it’s helpful to pinpoint exactly what the fear is. One of my favorite approaches is to ask; what’s the best/worst thing that can happen? And for the worst thing: Is that really true? Often it isn’t.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a ghostwriter and author mentor, and in the past 6 1/2 years I’ve worked on 41 published books–9 of which are bestsellers and 3 of which won book awards. In 2022 I was awarded a gold American Business Award for Company of the Year: Media & Entertainment. The year before I won two gold awards with the International Business Awards 2021: Company of the Year in Business or Professional Services and Company of the Year in Media & Entertainment.
My favorite books to work on are story-driven self-help books and memoirs. I love working on these kinds of books because I get to delve into people’s stories and help them mine those stories for meaning, then share them in a compelling way. Recently, a client who tells her childhood story of how her parents fought often and loudly, which caused her to retreat in fight or flight. But also as an adult she sees that her dad was very sick, and her mom was coping as a caretaker. This doesn’t invalidate the author’s experience, but it does help her describe her parents in a sympathetic light and tell a fuller version of the story. The author is writing about breaking silence and finding her voice, and this level of clarity is an added bonus to that journey.
I’m running the final cohort of my Crank Out Your Book in 8 Weeks book writing course and author coaching program this August-October. Bonuses include the 1-day A-List Author Mastermind in Houston, TX, which ends with a closing reception at my home. In October I’ll be hosting my A-List Authors Writing Festival online event that raises money for charity.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My three most valuable areas of knowledge have totally surprised me:
1. Rhetoric and Composition: As a literature prof hopeful, I didn’t expect to use rhet-comp much, But as a ghostwriter and book coach, I use it all the time. Essentially, this is a study of the science of persuasion and the writing process.
2. Creative Writing: I wouldn’t have thought being trained in fiction, poetry, and drama writing would help me write nonfiction. But they do. Every compelling book follows the narrative arc of fiction, and poetry provides rhythm. Drama adds dialogue and dramatic tension.
3. Sales: No matter how highly skilled I am, I don’t get paid until someone hires me. The art of sales was a matter of survival when I was a personal trainer. Learning sales skills will help authors sell their art more easily and help writing professionals make their expertise available to others.
For those starting out, go backward. Learn sales. Then incorporate creative writing to give yourself a competitive advantage. When everyone has similar ideas, the more creative and articulate often wins. And practice writing your arguments to get better at it.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Laura Belgray, author of “Tough Titties” and founder of Talking Shrimp is my mentor. When I met her six years ago, I was a freelance ghostwriter, and that was my entire business. She inspired me to build my email list and taught me how to write non-boring ones. In one week, she helped me create and launch my first online product. During her Shrimp Club Mastermind, I got the idea for, built, and filled my book writing course, Crank Out Your Book in 8 Weeks.
More than practical support, she supports me to put myself out there. To make mistakes or launch imperfectly because at least then I’m in action instead of waiting on the sidelines. Because most of all, she’s taught me that every shiny influencer started messy and nerdy, and they didn’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cindychildress.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cindychildressphd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cindychildressphd
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cindychildressphd/
- Other: Discover your #1 Bestselling Author Personality with my FREE quiz: www.cindychildress.com/quiz
Image Credits
Irina Leoni
