I am a published author. I couldn’t always say that.

Although I had published 25 articles with Christianity Today and Today’s Christian Women, and I had 42 published Bible studies as well, I couldn’t say the words: “I have published a book,” a dream that was important to me.

So what did I do to move from one camp to the other?

I got the necessary tools. I became a Tribe Writer.

If you know me at all, you’ve heard me speak highly of Tribe Writers.

I became a Tribe Writer in 2012. And as I systematically worked through the lessons created by Jeff Goins, I became knowledgeable in the areas necessary to become a published author of my own book.

I learned to find my voice.

Our voice is how people hear us. We all have a distinct voice, and through the exercises I learned what my voice sounded like.

Finding your unique voice was an important part of Tribe Writers. And one that interested me.

I learned to write the scary stuff

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This ended up being paramount to me. When a writer risks writing the scary stuff, it puts them in a vulnerable place. And in that place the writer will find they are not alone.

After going through Tribe Writers a couple of times, I really took a risk. I wrote my memoir, Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival.

I’m not going to lie, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But it was the book I was meant to write.

I learned who my audience is.

To be honest, I’m still learning this one, because as I write I can see that my work appeals to different people. The more narrow I can make that tribe, the better suited my writing will be.

With two books under my belt, something incredible happened.

Other books flowed out of me.

Children’s books started gushing out. I am fortunate, for I didn’t have to look far for an illustrator. No further than my own family. Almost all my books are illustrated by my daughter, Jessica Peterson.

Once I had processed the pain inside of me, and wrote the scary story, a bunch of books followed. Books for children, The Crooked House, Emma’s Wish, Lulu’s Lunch, Sonny Follows His heart.

Then I wrote poetry books which were illustrated with Jessica’s photography. Make Believe Volume One and Volume Two were written.

Chills: The eerie side of poetry crept along after.

I then decided to compile poetry I had already written and put that out there. Droplets: Poetry for those in grief was written. With two more poetry books in the works. One near completion.

So what do I attribute this to?

I knew how to write before, but I needed more direction. I lacked tools. Tribe Writers provided those tools.

And now it’s starting again.

Jeff Goins is in the business of writing. But not only does he write his books, his passion is to help others attain their goals.

And so Tribe Writers will be starting again. You can sign up for that here.

But if you’re still on the fence, Jeff’s provided a free Q&A webinar you can join today. There you can get answers to the questions that are holding you back.

I don’t know where you are with your desire to write. And I don’t even know your reason for wanting to write.

Maybe you have stories in you that are begging to come out. Maybe you want to provide the stories, or book as part of a legacy you will leave for your family.

Or maybe you have had an experience you know might help someone else. Whatever the reason, Tribe Writers may be the answer.

And I just wanted you to have that opportunity.

Pretty soon the door will close. Is this your time?