Write It Forward is a one-of-a-kind book focusing on you, the author. In Write It Forward Bob Mayer applies the time- tested strategies of the Green Berets to the world of being a successful author. He has taught thousands of writers over the years, but this new and innovative program probes deeper than words on the page. It is designed to teach writers how to think, plan and become the future best-sellers of the new age of publishing. The benefits you'll gain from this book will extend far beyond your writing and reach into all areas of your life making dreams a reality. "I have always loved how your programs delved deeply into the pyscohological models you need to develop characters. No you are using that to develop people." Co-Creator of the Chicken Soup Books Jack Canfield "Whatever Bob Mayer has to tell us about writing is something we should know. His Toolkit proves an invaluable resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike. Don't miss out." #1 NY Times best-selling author Terry Brooks "Bob Mayer is a gifted writer and a generous teacher." #1 NY Times best-selling author Susan Wiggs

1. THE 3 P’s:
Platform, Product, Promotion

2. •No two authors are the same
•No two books are the same
•No publishing path is the same
Three P’s.

3. •A successful author must be more
than an author
•Regardless of publishing path
•You are self-employed in the world of
publishing.
Three P’s.

4. •Beyond the book:
•Discoverability is today’s key
•Publishers only promote their brand
authors
Three P’s.

5. •Along with a strategic writing goal, you
must factor these three into everything
you do.
•The three influence each other
considerably
•There are many roads to OZ
•And Oz means different things for
different people
•What is your Oz?
Three P’s.

6. •These determine what advice to
follow
•These determine how to judge those
giving the advice
•Every author is in a unique position
Three P’s.

7. PLATFORM

8. •Name recognition (Brand)
•Are you an expert in your field?
•Do you have a special background that
makes you unique?
Platform.

9. •It’s also internal
•What is your passion?
•Can you communicate your passion?
Platform.

10. •You can build platform
•Are you an expert in something?
•Has to interest and resonate with others
•The most powerful are emotional
Platform.

11. •Understand who you are
•Then, who do you want to be?
Platform.

12. What do you believe is your
strongest trait as a writer?
What do you believe is your
weakest trait as a writer?

13. •Understand your character.
•Understand the character of your team-
between you and readers.
•Understand the reader’s character.
•Understand the character of people in
the publishing/entertainment business.
Character.

14. •The combination of qualities or features
that distinguishes one person from
another.
•How do you recognize character?
•Before recognizing and understanding
the character of others, you must under
your own point of view.
Character.

15. •Emotion is more important than logic.
•Goals are what a person is striving for.
(WHAT)
•Motivation is why they are striving for
their goals. (WHY)
Character is pre-eminent

16. •Actions are the truest indicator of
character
•Actions are a What
•Must also figure out the Why (motivation)
•True nature comes out during crisis but
also is seen in day to day living.
Study action to understand
character.

17. •Every person thinks every situation is
about them.
•Everyone has a core motivation.
•Victor Frankl called this the ‘One Thing.’
•The motivation can be anything.
Motivation.

18. •What do you want?
•(Finish a book.)
•What do you really want?
•(Get published.)
•What do you need?
•(Make a living as a writer.)
Layers of Motivation.

19. •The Three Hardest Words: “I am wrong”
•Willingness to Surrender
•Growth Mindset
•When we have too many options, we don’t focus
on the ones we should
•Close doors
Open-Mindedness

20. PRODUCT

21. •Your book
•Your articles
•Your classes
•Your blog
•Your consulting
•Your expertise
Product.

22. •The best platform and promotion is a great
product
•Better platform and promotion are more great
products
Product.

23. What To Write?
•Mark Twain: “Write what you know.”
•Write what you want to know.
•Write what you are passionate about.
•What is your background?
•Write what you read.
•NO ONE OWES YOU A READING--YOU HAVE
TO EARN IT.

24. Writing For The Market.
•“What’s hot?”
•Three years from idea to bookstore (traditional
publishing)
•Will anyone else care?
•Make them care
•Please yourself first, but be aware of the reader
•Writing about something you don’t care about will
show up in the material

25. Why Is This A Good Idea?
•Why is this idea important?
•What makes it necessary for you to write it?
•“If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you
cannot tell it about other people.” Virginia Woolf.
•What makes a reader want to read it?

26. Why Do You Want To Write
About This Idea?
•Are you lecturing the reader or entertaining her?
•Is the story about the reader’s needs or yours?
•How well do you know yourself?
•Are you demon-slaying, taking revenge, blood-
letting?
•Focus on the consumer= the reader

27. Where The Shiver?
•What excited you?
•What excites the people you tell it to?
•Where’s the emotion, the passion?
•You are selling emotion and logic.
•What does the reader relate to?
•Can you communicate the shiver?

28. PROMOTION

29. •Communication is essential to success.
•It is how you interact with the world.
•Two way street-- get your message across to
others and receive true messages.
•You must understand your creative process in
communicating; where you are strong and where
you need to improve.
•As writers, we are communicators.
Communication

30. •The primary goal of communication is to evoke a
response.
•Thus, the receiver of the communique is more
important than the sender.
•Thus, the sender needs to take the point of view
of the person the message is intended for.
Communication

31. •We are transmitting both logic and emotion.
•We are transmitting on the conscious and
subconscious levels.
•We are externalizing something internal.
Communication

32. • How do you organize your daily life-- this is how you will
organize your book.
• If you outline, do you outline just plot, or do you ‘outline’
characters?
• If you’re a pantser, how much rewriting do you do?
• Is your rewriting focused on plot or character?
• Consider front-loading the part of the book that is your
weakest writing.
The Creative Process

34. •Define tasks.
•WRITTEN.
•They codify things and lock them down.
•Stop you from re-inventing the wheel.
•Take what you ‘know’ and write it down.
Standing Operating Procedures

35. •Outlines.
•Story grid.
•Twitter, social media.
•Submissions.
•Get on loops, blog,
Standing Operating Procedures

37. It is not all or nothing.
The content is key.
The goal is to get them to ask questions.
Know your strategic goal. Look past just the book you are
pitching. You’re thinking in terms of having a career as a
writer.
Publishing is a business. First impressions are key.
The pitch is a path. Try to get feedback. You’ve paid for that
person’s time. Ask questions.
When Pitching

38. •Content and procedure
•Have a purpose.
•You must inform and entertain.
•Is it a time suck-- yes-- but only if you do it badly.
•Think in terms of engagement.
Social Media

39. •Publishers are putting more and more promotion
on the author
•Most of us are primarily concerned with content
•But if no one reads your content, it doesn’t matter
Promotion

40. •We don’t promote because:
• We don’t want to be considered arrogant
• We don’t want to get confronted by people
telling us we’re self-promoting
• We’re not sure what we’re promoting is really
worth it
• We don’t want to be wrong
Promotion

41. •The keys:
• Have good content
• Link to something people already know
• Balance promotion with networking and
supporting others
Promotion

42. •Who is the target audience?
•What desires/needs are you tapping into?
•What message will touch those desires/needs?
•Be consistent with message and brand
•Repeat the message over and over and over
•Content, content, content
Promotion

43. • You can’t do everything
• Twitter
• Blogs
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• In person
Promotion

44. •Who are you promoting to?
•What is the most effective way to reach them?
•What is most effective use of your time and
money?
Promotion

45. •Emotional support.
•Intellectual support.
•Career support.
•Networking is a two way street.
Networking

46. •Ability to do it
•Access to media outlets
•Social Media
•Hook, Niche, Uniqueness
•Interaction with the public
Promotion.

47. The 3 P’s.
Strong platform Strong product Strong promotion
Strong platform Strong product Weak promotion
Strong platform Weak product Strong promotion
Strong platform Weak product Weak promotion
Weak Platform Strong product Strong promotion
Weak Platform Strong product Weak promotion
Weak Platform Weak product Strong promotion
Weak Platform Weak product Weak promotion
Where are you on this diagram?

48. The 3 P’s.
Strong platform Strong product Strong promotion
Strong platform Strong product Weak promotion
Strong platform Weak product Strong promotion
Strong platform Weak product Weak promotion
Weak Platform Strong product Strong promotion
Weak Platform Strong product Weak promotion
Weak Platform Weak product Strong promotion
Weak Platform Weak product Weak promotion
What do you need to get better at?

49. Original Idea
Conflict the Fuel of Your Story and the Conflict Box
Plot I: Research and Narrative Questions
Plot II: Outlining
Plot III: Narrative Structure
Character
Point of View
Write It Forward: From Writer to Bestselling Author
Writers Conference Guide (Free eBook)
Three P’s: Platform, Product, Promotion
Writers’ Block and Rewriting
How to Write the Query/Synopsis
Planning for NaNoWriMo Success
Bob Mayer’s Workshops, Seminars & Presentations
Your Creative Process: How You Write
The Present and Future of Publishing for Writers
Writers Workshop and Retreat
ON WRITING SLIDESHARES

50. For More Information click on covers
The Complete Writer is four books at discount in one
bundle.

51. New York Times bestselling author, graduate of West Point, former Green
Beret, and feeder of two yellow Labs, most famously Cool Gus. He’s had
over seventy books published, including the #1 bestselling series Time
Patrol, Area 51, Atlantis, and the Green Berets. Born in the Bronx and
having traveled the world he now lives peacefully with his wife and labs.
Sort of. Free books below available HERE
www.bobmayer.com

52. Writing Scenic Workshop
•An intense, on-premises workshop focusing on idea, conflict, story and the ever-
changing business of publishing.
•At our house on Scenic Drive in Knoxville, TN
•Most importantly, this workshop focuses on developing your creative process as
a writer.
•Led by Bob Mayer and his wife, Debbie.
•We’ve worked with everyone from #1 NY Times best-selling authors to novices
writing their first book.
•Limited to four people per workshop. This workshop can also come to you if you
have four interested writers. For schedule contact bob@bobmayer.com