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Jocelyn Carbonara 2/28/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 2/28/25

Dr. Maya Angelou Interview on Courage and Fear: “Write Letters. Protest…Never whine.”

One of my career highlights was interviewing the late Dr. Maya Angelou decades ago. A highly respected poet laureate and author, she shared words about fear, courage, and how to act on them. They feel as helpful today as then, so I’m sharing them again.

DR. MAYA ANGELOU: “Write letters. Protest. Never whine. Whining lets a brute know that a victim is in the neighborhood. But protest, yes, all the way to the Supreme Court.…I will not condone cruelty. I will not condone unjust actions….

I intend to use my energy constructively instead of destructively. If I can say that about the negative, then what about the positive, then what about the faith and the hope I can garner from someone who loves somebody, from someone who is trying to make the world a better place? What about me identifying with someone who is charitable?…

Sit down. Go inside yourself. Don’t look outside for it. Look what you’ve overcome already. And some of the things no one ever knows but you...the times you were afraid and lived through that.”

Jocelyn Carbonara 2/20/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 2/20/25

Author Cyndi Francois: “I Wanted People Going through Rock Bottom to Know They Are Not Alone”

Please enjoy this Q&A about the writing process with memoir author Cynthia Francois.

SPIRITUS BOOKS: Tell us a little about your book and why you wrote it.

At first, writing my story, Traveling through Grief: Life, Death, and Ten Months in a Tent, was just a way to process unbearable emotions and events surrounding my new husband’s sudden death. I felt like I could no longer hold onto the weight of it all, and as a professional marketing copywriter, I write and simplify to make sense of all things—whether it be the sudden death of my husband, or to promote an interactive flat panel display to educators in schools around the globe.

I wrote a blog in the aftermath of his death and continued to journal during a road trip through the U.S. national parks. I used those existing writings to outline and format my manuscript, which follows me through living on the road while in survival mode after I lost everything. Over time, I thought my story could help other young widows experiencing similar life changes.

Jocelyn Carbonara 2/13/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 2/13/25

How to Trim a Manuscript That’s Too Long

Trimming words is often the hardest part of writing—which builds a case for a solid outline up front to organize your ideas and prevent “rambling” too far off track. Still, every book goes through a process where some material is left on the cutting room floor. If your manuscript needs to be trimmed based on your publisher’s or industry-standard guidelines, read on for strategic cutting tips.

Jocelyn Carbonara 2/6/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 2/6/25

How Long Should My Book Manuscript Be?

As a book editor, I often receive manuscripts that are much longer than the industry standard. I understand this, since authors often write a full draft and then want feedback on what to trim. Yet it’s also worth discussing what’s an ideal length, and offering tips to help you trim on your own. Shaving your manuscript before an editor reads it will save you time and money.

If you’re traditionally publishing, you’ll receive a “word count” target upon contracting. If you’re self-publishing, you get to choose. Either way, concise writing has its benefits.

Let’s explore the typical word-count ranges based on current industry trends, and influenced by my own experience.

Jocelyn Carbonara 1/30/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 1/30/25

When Reality Is Fading, Write in Vivid Color

What is real?

With AI infiltrating everything we do, and politics convincing us that hatred and vindication are desirable traits, and change coming at a pace that induces whiplash, reality becomes hard to distinguish. At best, reality is blurry—and blurring.

Does it matter?

Jocelyn Carbonara 1/23/25 Jocelyn Carbonara 1/23/25

Using Storytelling to Power Your Business or Nonfiction Book

As an editor, I edit a ton of business books. To be honest, many of the pitches I receive begin to look the same, with book titles like “Reach for the Top: Six Must-Have Leadership Skills.” Then they go on to list the “x number of steps” the reader should go through to transform their management or leadership.

There’s nothing wrong with this. A solid pitch and outline should be descriptive and well-defined with steps or components. But when it comes to writing the actual book, having those pieces of the formula isn’t enough. To sell well—which means you’re reaching your ideal readers while getting them to recommend your book—your writing must be both informative and engaging. It must transform or elevate your reader.

In short, it must stand out.

Including stories is a great way to do that.