The Foundation Great Writers Never Skip: Part 1 of Your 4-Step Roadmap to Writing a Great Book (Ep. 18) episode artwork

EPISODE · May 20, 2026 · 31 MIN

The Foundation Great Writers Never Skip: Part 1 of Your 4-Step Roadmap to Writing a Great Book (Ep. 18)

from The Soul and Science of Great Writing with Mara Eller · host Mara Eller

If you’re dreaming about writing a book—or struggling in the thick of it—you might be wondering exactly what that process will look like and what kind of support will help you cross the finish line.Whether you end up self-publishing or getting a traditional book deal, there are a lot of steps along the way—and there’s a lot of lingo that can cause confusion.That’s why I created this guide to demystify the book creation process, alert you to common pitfalls, and point you in the right direction if and when you’re ready for professional support.In this episode I cover the first two of four phases of book creation: ideating and drafting.You’ll learn:Why “writing a book” is about far more than just writingThe key questions every author must answer before they start draftingWhat a “book map” is and how it dramatically improves your chances of finishingWhat to look for in a book coach (and red flags to avoid)How to handle resistance, procrastination, and your inner critic during the drafting processHere’s the truth successful authors know: a book is only as good as the ideas behind it, so building a strong foundation is the most important step of all.Note: This guide is designed specifically for nonfiction authors—from prescriptive nonfiction like self-help to creative nonfiction like memoir. That said, the phases I outline and many of the potential pitfalls remain the same for fiction. Just keep in mind that some of the nuances will be different.Mentioned in this episode:Hungry Authors bookHungry Authors on SubstackLearn more about Momentum Book Coaching: maraeller.com/book-coachingBook a free consultation call with me! Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

If you’re dreaming about writing a book—or struggling in the thick of it—you might be wondering exactly what that process will look like and what kind of support will help you cross the finish line. Whether you end up self-publishing or getting a traditional book deal, there are a lot of steps along the way—and there’s a lot of lingo that can cause confusion. That’s why I created this guide to demystify the book creation process, alert you to common pitfalls, and point you in the right direct...

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The Foundation Great Writers Never Skip: Part 1 of Your 4-Step Roadmap to Writing a Great Book (Ep. 18)

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This episode was published on May 20, 2026.

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If you’re dreaming about writing a book—or struggling in the thick of it—you might be wondering exactly what that process will look like and what kind of support will help you cross the finish line.Whether you end up self-publishing or getting a...

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