Gretchen Reuben is the author of bestsellers Better Than Before and The Happiness Project. Her tribe follows her both in print and online. She also produces her own podcast Happy with Gretchen Reuben, where she talks about good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft and is named an all-time best podcast on iTunes in 2015. She started her career in law when she realized she wanted to be a writer.
She says of her transformation from law to writing, “For my transition, it wasn’t one moment, it was a series of events that happened over time.” At one point, she considered that writing could be a job for her instead of a hobby. Also, at this time, she went over to a friend’s house, and after talking with her friend, she realized that she wanted the same activity for her work and fun time. With an idea in mind for a book, she came to the realization that “if I was to ever try, now was the time to try.”
Gretchen remembers the ecstasy of getting an agent because, for her, that felt like the most significant milestone in her writing career. She was thrilled that someone would put money on her writing career and ambitions.
As for her writing process, Gretchen has never deviated from her original procedure. She does not recommend this to everyone; however, this is what she has found works best for her writing endeavors. Using mostly books and a passion for a topic, she fervently engages in going down the rabbit hole of investigation.
Listen in to find out why Gretchen focuses on using stories from her own life, how she grounds her writing when using specialized terms and how she came up with her idea for her book, The Happiness Project. Learn how novel and challenge make people happier, how she finds time to write, and the easiest way to make an action a habit.
Show Notes
[01:51] Moving from working in a law office in the Supreme Court to becoming a writer. [03:21] Gretchen realizes that if she is going to make a career change, now is the time. [05:02] Toughest part of her transition when working on her book. [06:30] Her writing and research process for each of her books. [09:02] Turning research and investigative notes into readable material. [11:42] For Gretchen, taking notes is a way for her mind to connect the dots of a story. [14:53] When writing, she focuses on using clear direct language and using stories from her own life. [18:39] How being on a crowded bus after running through a rainstorm gave her the idea for her book. [21:32] What is happiness and where can you find happiness in your life? [23:30] How Gretchen finds time to write her books. [27:00] Her personality framework and how she categorizes people. [28:30] “You’ve got to have a consistent habit if you’re going to be productive” and the Four Tendencies Framework. [33:18] Advice for new writers who are in the process of writing their first book. [37:20] Engage with Gretchen on social media!Links and Resources
Self-publishingschool.com Spsfreetraining.com Circle of Profit Recorder Plus Visit Gretchen on the web Gretchen on Instagram Connect with Gretchen on LinkedIn Take the Four Tendencies QuizSPS 017: How I Went From #1 NYT Book Launch to $5.1M Product Launch with Jeff Walker
SPS 016: My Exact Process for Writing 16 Books with Joanna Penn
SPS 015: How to be a Writing Machine with Steve Windsor
SPS 014: Before Book” vs. “After Book” with Brian Tracy
SPS 013: Beyond the Bestseller with Hal Elrod
SPS 012: How I Built an E-Book Business of $3,000-$4,000/Month with Lise Cartwright
SPS 011: How To Start Blogging For High Profile Sites with Dorie Clark
SPS 010: Sell Or Be Sold with Grant Cardone
SPS 009: Eliminating Distractions & Practicing Deep Work to Finish Your Book with Cal Newport
SPS 008: Creating a Thriving Business, Blog, and Raving Fans with Ruth Soukup
SPS 007: How to Turn Pro as a Writer with Jeff Goins
SPS 006: Hustling My Way to 4 NYT Bestselling Books with Gary Vaynerchuk
SPS 005: Lessons Learned from The Secret, Chicken Soup, Abundance Now, and a Guinness World Record Setting Book with Lisa Nichols
SPS 004: How to Self-Publish Your Way to #1 on the Amazon & USA Today National Bestseller Lists with Ryan Levesque
SPS 003: Using a Book to Sell More Software & Information Products with Russell Brunson
SPS 002: Using the One Thing & Time Blocking to Finally Write Your First Book with Jay Papasan
SPS 001: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World with Your First Book, with Michael Hyatt
SPS 000: Introduction to Self-Publishing School Podcast
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Bank of America Treasury Insights
How I Crushed It
Pharmacy Podcast Network
The Ramsey Show
Planet Money