Enneagrams for Authors with Mary Adkins {ep. 118}

PublishHer Podcast

In this episode, Alexa and Mary discuss various Enneagram types, their motivations, and how writers can tailor their writing goals based on their personality traits. Mary encourages aspiring authors to embrace their unique approaches and dispels the notion that extensive time is required to write a book. She also emphasizes the importance of finding the right writing schedule that aligns with one's lifestyle.

Key points from the episode:

• Understanding Enneagram Types for Writers: Mary Adkins, a writing coach, discusses how knowing your Enneagram type, a personality assessment tool, can help writers understand their motivations and navigate through challenges.
• Personal Writing Journey: Mary shares her personal journey as a writer, from quitting her law job to becoming a novelist. She emphasizes the challenges of finding a literary agent, highlighting the importance of persistence and finding the right fit.
• Traditional Publishing Timeline: Mary sheds light on the lengthy timeline involved in traditional publishing, from acquiring an agent to the book hitting shelves. This insight is crucial for aspiring authors to set realistic expectations.
• Working with Enneagram Types in Writing Goals: Mary explains how she helps writers set goals based on their Enneagram types. Different types may struggle with distinct challenges, and tailoring writing goals to individual personalities can enhance productivity.
• Writing Goals Beyond Word Count: Mary suggests various writing goals beyond word count, such as page count, scene count, or finding pockets of time for writing. The goal is to align writing practices with an author's Enneagram type and lifestyle.
• Encouragement for Aspiring Authors: Mary emphasizes that authors don't need extensive time to write a book. With the right goal-setting and understanding of their motivations, writers can complete a draft even in the midst of a busy life.
• Book Incubator Program: Mary introduces her program, the Book Incubator, which helps writers finish their books and prepare them for pitching to agents. The Enneagram aspect is just one component of this comprehensive program.
• You Can Make It Happen: Mary leaves listeners with the message that aspiring authors can make their writing goals a reality if they truly want it. Despite life's challenges, commitment and determination can lead to successful book completion.

Mary Adkins is a writing coach and founder of The Book Incubator, a 12-month program to write, revise, and pitch your novel or memoir. She is author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick, “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping and Real Simple), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read,” New York Post “Best Book of the Week”), and Palm Beach (recently named one of the New York Post’s “Best Books of 2021”). Her books have been published in 13 countries, and her essays and reporting have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more.
A graduate of Yale Law School and Duke University, she helps aspiring authors finish their books with joy and clarity. You can apply for The Book Incubator by going to apply.maryadkinswriter.com.
Learn more here:
https://maryadkins.lpages.co/the-book-incubator/
https://www.maryadkinswriter.com/
https://www.instagram.com/adkinsmary/?hl=en