Training Growth Content: Author Productivity
Intro:
This piece is part of the education and authorization content for a productivity course and coaching program. The key is writing in a voice that connects with that personality type, and speaking to them where they’re at so they feel included.
(Excerpt)
Heartweavers stop producing for so many reasons and, unfortunately, when our lives are out of balance or we’re not taking care of ourselves or… there’s someone in our lives who refuses to honor our boundaries because we only hold value if they can take advantage of us, we can’t write. Because what we pull from comes from the center of our souls, our hearts. Not our minds. Not our methods. Not the market. Not some sexy cool trend.
Us.
Now, look. I’ve… ugh. I’ve spent… well, from 1998 till now, working on publishing through some of the shittiest and toughest times of my life. Now, know that my “tough times” would be a cake walk to others, but vice versa, cupcake. Vice versa.
If you want to create a sustainable career in publishing, understand that you’re putting you out there. Sure, you’ll be wearing someone else’s face or someone else’s hair, and you’ll be doing it in pretend places. Yes. I get that. But their moral compass, the theme of each book, the experiences they share so others can understand the meaning of your story all come from you.
So, you need to create tools and systems and boundaries that protect your ability to do that. Here’s what to look for and what to do about it.
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1. When the Value Core Is Misaligned
Heartweavers don’t build books around plot first.
We build them around meaning. Around what the story believes about love, power, sacrifice, betrayal, redemption, motherhood, loyalty, freedom. Even if you never outline theme, it’s there. It’s the engine.
When that value core shifts — because you’ve shifted — the story stalls. This is why when a Heartweaver tells me they want to write a cozy romance, I always ask, “Are you sure?” Because cozies don’t usually demand deep internal transformation — and Heartweavers do.
So, when you grow and your characters don’t, you feel resistance. A character won’t speak. A scene will sometimes feel hollow. The conflict feels forced. You start assuming you’ve lost your talent.
You haven’t. You’ve just evolved.
And now you’re trying to force yesterday’s emotional truth through today’s worldview.
That’s why it won’t finish.
How to Diagnose This Clearly
Ask yourself:
If I had to summarize what this book believes about the world in one sentence, what is it?
Do I still believe that?
Has my life experience since starting this draft complicated or contradicted that belief?
If you hesitate, that’s your answer.
Structural Fix
Do not scrap the book. sucks teeth and stares at self Don’t do it.
Rewrite the value statement. That’s it! Stop there!
Literally.
Open a new document and write:
This book believes ____________.
Then ask:
Is that still true for me?
If not, adjust the value core and realign three key scenes:
The inciting decision.
The midpoint moral confrontation.
The final resolution choice.
You don’t need to rewrite 80,000 words because, dear gods, the rest is good. The rest is fine!
Just realign the spine.
Heartweavers stall when the emotional spine is misaligned. Fix the spine, and the body moves again. I’m not kidding. It works.
