Have you tried to write when you were anxious or overwhelmed — maybe feeling a little creatively blocked? Get ideas for raising your joy factor before you write from Wendy Watkins, author of the Joy Factor Recipe Book and Joy Strategist of PassionFruit Creative People. Hear Wendy’s story of starts, stops and detours that culminated in her recently published book. Learn how her book was created from a combination of her own stories interwoven with art and recipes from a group of joyful contributors. In addition to Wendy on today’s show, you’ll hear from two of her joyful contributors including Vanessa Lowry, today’s host, and Juliette Mansour, founder of Casa Dresden. Post your own recipe for raising your joy factor in our comments section below!

Where did that idea come from?  Ever have that reaction when you read a book title? That reaction is closely followed with, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Or maybe your reaction is to go more deeply into your mind to scavenge for book ideas.  The guests for this broadcast have each created intriguing books with amazing content. Samuel Divine’s book is Battlegrounds to Boardrooms: Life Lessons from the Liberian Civil War to Corporate America. He discusses his journey growing up in Liberia before and during a brutal civil war. Today he is a CPA and business advisor.  Dr. Sheb True is associate dean of Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. He is also a professor in the business college.  Dr. True served as editor for Business Acumen:  insights from the faculty and friends of the Coles College of Business. The book presents cutting edge insights and knowledge on effective leadership and business success.

What thoughts, ideas, concerns, hopes and more go through the mind of a professional as he (or she) contemplates writing a book?  How does a professional marshall all that mind buzz and find focus to write?  On the other end of the process, what thoughts, ideas, concerns, hopes and more go through the mind of a professional as he (or she) contemplates the release and marketing of one’s new book? How does a professional marshall all that mind buzz and find focus for the marketing task ahead?  Most folks think that writing a book requires a lot of labor.  It can and often does.  Then when the book is written and finally ready for market, new writers discover that writing is only 20% of the work involved in generating a successful book; effective marketing of the book requires 80% of the necessary effort for success.  Justin Streeter, CPA, of Streeter-Riddle shares his thoughts as he begins writing a book which Justin intends to help increase client base for Streeter-Riddle.  George Horrigan, CPA, President of Fountainhead Consulting Group talks about his newest book Thriving Businesses and how he approaches marketing the book and the anticipated impact the book will have on Fountainhead Consulting.  And George will probably provide insights on his preparation, plans and work for his next book – Work Less, Make More and Have Fun in Your Business – scheduled for release in 2013.

Doug Grady is President of High Achievers Network.  Marie-Antoinette Burrell is the owner of TalkText Mobile Messaging Solutions.  Each has engaged in their respective professions for many years.  Recently each made the simple decision to write a book with the intention of generating a wider reach and greater impact for their businesses.  Burrell’s book is geared for children and is titled Terrance Texter: Adventures in Mobile Phone Land. Grady’s books is The Ripple. Why did each elect to write a book?  What is their hope or intent?  What wisdom do they have to share with other business leaders who are considering writing a book?

Writing and getting your book published is only the first step — marketing and promotion are crucial to your book’s success. Join Vanessa Lowry as she interviews bestselling author Lisa Earle McLeod about the unique promotion of her latest book, The Triangle of Truth, named “A Top 5 Business Book for Leaders” by The Washington Post. Hear how new media and social networks have influenced Lisa’s marketing decisions since her first two books were published. In addition, Mimi Schroeder of the public relations firm MAX Communications will discuss the importance of creating a publicity plan for your book, the elements an author needs to include in your press kit and how to get the most out of your book signing events.

Judith MacNutt is a licensed psychotherapist and had a private practice for many years.  For several decades, Judith has joined psychotherapy with healing prayer.  In her book, Angels Are for Real, Judith pulls back the curtain on these intriguing beings and offers insight and stories of miraculous encounters and healing and hope that emerged from those encounters.  As an infant, Brad Schmidt was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. In the aftermath of three invasive surgeries, Brad was left unable to stand or even to begin to walk. The medical team told Brad’s parents that at best Brad would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Today Brad is a nationally ranked racquetball player and a chiropractor who works with law firms as an accident investigator. In Where Does the Fight Come From?, Brad tells of his life-long battle overcoming the effects of his fight with neuroblastoma, radiation, chemotherapy, learning how to walk, overcoming scoliosis – a side effect of the surgeries – and other related challenges.  What motivates credentialed/licensed professionals to choose to write about the miraculous?  What risks, if any, did they anticipate as each wrote their own book? What impact have Judith’s book and Brad’s book had on the lives of others?

Join host – Dr. Tim Morrison, permanent guest host – Vanessa Lowry, original co-host and producer – Stone Payton as they reflect on the first year of Write Here, Write Now.  How did the show get started?  Who are among the more memorable guests?  Any humorous moments that can be shared on air?  Worst guest?  Best guest?  Current producer and co-host Andy Lowe sits in the “driver’s seat” for this edition as he asks the questions of Dr. Tim, Vanessa and Stone.

We know that accountability is a critical component for success in anything we undertake, especially as business leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.  That accountability extends into writing as well.  One of the best ways to increase the likelihood of having a powerful, effective book is to engage in peer review as you write your manuscript – that means sending out chapters to colleagues and peers to review and critique and comment upon before you tackle your final draft.  When you engage in peer review, you become vulnerable: your book is your “baby.” You also open yourself to attaining a higher quality end product.  Today’s guests share their insights and experiences in opening themselves and their work and writing to “peer review” and the advantages they have gained from peer review.

Belinda Mays describes herself as a summa cum laude graduate from the school of Hard Knocks. Her book is  The Success Project, The Making of a Worthy Ideal.  Ms. Mays is the owner and founder of The Success Project, LLC.  She specializes in helping time-challenged business owners and entrepreneurs get the results they seek by providing coaching, tools, resources and accountability check-ins.  Jim Villwock, a former Fortune 500 global executive, is the founder of Job Doctors International and the creator of Integrated Success – the new model for Organizational and Individual Success.  Jim has written several books.  His current book is in peer review with at least 30 colleagues and peers commenting on Jim’s draft.

Ben Halpert is the Director of Information Technology Risk Management and Compliance for a Fortune 500 firm.  E.G. Carter works for a Fortune 100 company.  Ben Halpert is leading a mission to keep all kids, including his own, safe online.  To that end, Ben has written The Savvy Cyber Kids at Home: The Family Gets a Computer and The Savvy Cyber Kids at Home: The Defeat of the Cyber Bully.  Halpert also created a nonprofit – Savvy Cyber Kids, Inc. – to promote the awareness and importance of online safety for children. E. G. Carter is living proof that no dream is impossible.  Battling with dyslexia, Carter earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Georgia and went on to create two companies.But as much success and acclaim that Carter achieved in the business world, there was an even greater challenge that he wanted to conquer – his dyslexia.  He did this to inspire his two sons and show them that nothing was impossible with dedication and hard work.  The result was CARLOUSIA – THE PASSING OF THE GUARD, the first in the new teen fantasy and young adult series, Carlousia.  Listen in to the amazing stories of these very successful business professionals who are also making a name for themselves as authors.