Conquering the Writing Process

Writing a book is no casual stroll through the park—it's more like trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle uphill. For Denise Brosseau, CEO of Thought Leadership Lab, her journey has been filled with challenges, fears, and unexpected moments of self-discovery. In an interview with "Telling Stories That Matter," Denise shared the highs and lows of her writing process, offering invaluable insights for prospective authors. Her story is a candid reminder that even the most experienced professionals face doubts and hurdles along the path to publication. The unexpected self-discovery moments in her journey will intrigue and inspire many aspiring authors.

After completing the primary draft of her book, Denise was proud and excited, feeling a sense of accomplishment that many authors strive for. However, this triumph was short-lived when a friend, who had written several books, bluntly informed her that she still had at least seven more drafts to go. At that moment, Denise recalls feeling a wave of frustration and disbelief. She humorously admits, "I remember looking at her and thinking, I have never hated anyone more than I hate you." Yet, her friend was right. The journey to a finished book was far from over, and Denise had to prepare herself for the long road of revisions ahead.

"Writing a book is not just about putting words on paper; it’s about overcoming the internal and external challenges that arise along the way."
— Denise Brosseau

Refining her manuscript involved multiple rounds of edits, each pushing her closer to the final product. Denise reflects on how, despite the initial pride of completing her draft early, the real work had only just begun. The first draft was just the beginning, with subsequent drafts refining her ideas, improving the structure, and ultimately polishing the content. By the time the book was ready for publication, Denise had undergone a rigorous and often exhausting revision process, but one essential to producing a book she was genuinely proud of.

As the manuscript neared completion, Denise faced the next phase of the journey: preparing the book for launch. She quickly realized that countless additional tasks were involved in bringing a book to market—functions that no one had warned her about. These tasks included securing endorsements from influential figures in her field, writing back cover copy that effectively summarized her book's content and appeal, building a website to promote and sell her book, and collecting testimonials from early readers. Denise was struck by the sheer number of details that had to be managed before the book could be released. Despite the overwhelming nature of this phase, she found joy in the launch process, particularly as an extrovert who thrived on engaging with readers and sharing her ideas.

However, the journey was not without its moments of fear and self-doubt. Denise vividly recalls the day she received her book contract, which should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, it filled her with terror. For six weeks, she was paralyzed by fear, unable to write, and instead found herself binge-watching The West Wing to avoid facing her anxieties. It wasn't until her friends intervened that Denise could confront her fears and get back on track.

Denise's fear stemmed from the pressure she placed on herself to create the perfect book. She had set an impossibly high standard, convinced that her book needed to be flawless. This perfectionism paralyzed her, preventing her from making progress. It was only through her friends' support and encouragement that she could break free from this mindset and begin writing again. One friend's blunt reminder that she was being paid to write the book finally snapped her out of her paralysis, reminding her of her commitment to fulfilling her contract.

One of the most powerful lessons Denise shares is the concept of the "Itty Bitty Shitty Committee" (IBSC)—a term coined by one of her clients to describe the negative voices that often plague authors. These voices whisper doubts and criticisms, telling you your work isn't good enough, no one will care, or someone else has already done it better. These voices were loud and persistent for Denise, and overcoming them was a critical part of her journey. She devoted an entire chapter of the book to "Rules for Resilience," offering strategies for quieting the IBSC and pushing forward despite the noise. By sharing these resilience strategies, Denise empowers aspiring authors to face their own writing challenges with confidence and determination.

Denise's advice for quitting the IBSC includes stories from her experience and tips from others she interviewed. One strategy resonating with her was shared by Chip Conley, a fellow author and CEO, who found that writing in the early morning allowed him to work while his inner critic was still asleep. Another piece of wisdom came from a friend who reminded Denise that mistakes are not failures but simply opportunities to learn and grow. This shift in perspective helped Denise to move past her fears and continue writing, even when the IBSC was at its loudest.

Denise's story powerfully reminds prospective authors that the writing process is not just about putting words on paper; it's about overcoming the internal and external challenges that arise along the way. Her journey offers both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration. Writing a book is a monumental task, but with the right mindset, support network, and resilience strategies, it can be met and conquered. By stressing the importance of these elements, Denise reassures and encourages aspiring authors that they have what it takes to succeed in their writing journey.