7 Tips to Become a Bestselling Author
Sep 02, 2025
Hello, Brilliant Writers!
Welcome to our June newsletter, packed with inspiration to fuel your writing dreams!
I’m thrilled to share 7 Tips to Become a Bestselling Author—strategies you'll find in the Next Level Club Author Challeneg to help writers like you make an impact. Whether you’re crafting a novel, memoir, or short story, these tips will get you closer to that bestseller list. Plus, I’ve got a special invitation to take your writing to new heights with our Next Level Club.
Let’s dive in and choose happy through creativity!
7 Tips to Become a Bestselling Author
Tip 1: Know Your Reader Inside Out
Bestselling authors write for their audience, not just themselves. Before you start, ask: Who is my ideal reader? What do they crave? A romance reader wants emotional connection; a thriller fan wants suspense. I use coaching questions to get clear—try asking, “What does my reader need to feel?” Write with them in mind, and they’ll keep turning the pages.
Bestselling authors write for their audience, not just themselves. Before you start, ask: Who is my ideal reader? What do they crave? A romance reader wants emotional connection; a thriller fan wants suspense. I use coaching questions to get clear—try asking, “What does my reader need to feel?” Write with them in mind, and they’ll keep turning the pages.
Tip 2: Craft a Hook That Grabs Attention
Your story needs a hook that screams “Read me!” Think of The Hunger Games—a girl volunteering for a deadly game to save her sister. Your hook should hint at the stakes and make readers curious. In my Creative Writing Tips Club training, we used the question “What does my story want to say?” to find that hook. What’s yours?
Your story needs a hook that screams “Read me!” Think of The Hunger Games—a girl volunteering for a deadly game to save her sister. Your hook should hint at the stakes and make readers curious. In my Creative Writing Tips Club training, we used the question “What does my story want to say?” to find that hook. What’s yours?
Tip 3: Build Relatable, Flawed Characters
Readers love characters they can root for—flaws and all. Use the NLP visualization we practiced in our live training: imagine being your character. What’s their deepest fear? Their secret dream? A flawed hero, like a detective with a troubled past, keeps readers invested. Write one sentence about your character’s biggest flaw today.
Readers love characters they can root for—flaws and all. Use the NLP visualization we practiced in our live training: imagine being your character. What’s their deepest fear? Their secret dream? A flawed hero, like a detective with a troubled past, keeps readers invested. Write one sentence about your character’s biggest flaw today.
Tip 4: Create Conflict That Drives the Story
Conflict is the heartbeat of a bestseller. It’s not just external (a villain) but internal (self-doubt, guilt). In my coaching, I teach writers to ask, “What’s the one thing my character can’t face?” That tension keeps readers hooked. Map out one conflict—big or small—for your story this week.
Conflict is the heartbeat of a bestseller. It’s not just external (a villain) but internal (self-doubt, guilt). In my coaching, I teach writers to ask, “What’s the one thing my character can’t face?” That tension keeps readers hooked. Map out one conflict—big or small—for your story this week.
Tip 5: Write with Emotional Impact
Bestsellers make readers feel. Use the “future pacing” technique from our training: decide what emotion you want readers to feel (hope, fear, joy), then craft scenes to evoke it. For example, a quiet moment of forgiveness can hit harder than a big plot twist. What emotion will your next scene spark?
Bestsellers make readers feel. Use the “future pacing” technique from our training: decide what emotion you want readers to feel (hope, fear, joy), then craft scenes to evoke it. For example, a quiet moment of forgiveness can hit harder than a big plot twist. What emotion will your next scene spark?
Tip 6: Edit Ruthlessly, But Not Alone
Bestselling authors don’t publish first drafts—they edit with precision. Cut unnecessary words, tighten your plot, and polish your prose. But don’t do it alone! Join a community (like ours!) for feedback. In the Creative Writing Tips Club, we share drafts and grow together. Who can you ask for feedback this month?
Bestselling authors don’t publish first drafts—they edit with precision. Cut unnecessary words, tighten your plot, and polish your prose. But don’t do it alone! Join a community (like ours!) for feedback. In the Creative Writing Tips Club, we share drafts and grow together. Who can you ask for feedback this month?
Tip 7: Market Like a Pro (Even If You’re Shy)
Writing a great book isn’t enough—you need to get it out there! Build an audience before you launch. Share snippets on social media, start a blog, or guest on podcasts like Choosing Happy. I used my NLP skills to reframe my shyness as “sharing my gift.” How can you share your story with the world today?
Writing a great book isn’t enough—you need to get it out there! Build an audience before you launch. Share snippets on social media, start a blog, or guest on podcasts like Choosing Happy. I used my NLP skills to reframe my shyness as “sharing my gift.” How can you share your story with the world today?
Your Next Step: Pick one tip and take action this week! Share your progress in our community—I’m cheering you on!
Community Spotlight: Live Training Recap
Ready to turn your writing dreams into reality? Join the Creative Writing Tips Next Level Club! This paid community offers:
Missed our live training on June 10, 2025? We explored the Role of the Narrator and how to choose Point of View to make your story flow and engage your reader.
You can grab the recording and download the free PDF guide in our Kajabi community.
Take Your Writing to the Next Level!
Ready to turn your writing dreams into reality? Join the Creative Writing Tips Next Level Club! This paid community offers:
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Monthly live coaching calls with me, using NLP to break through blocks
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Writing workshops to polish your craft
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Accountability to finish your stories
We’re opening a few spots during the next week at a very special price (ends June 21, 2025). Don’t miss out—join now at https://www.creativewritingtips.club/next-level-club-june
Bonus Resource: Listen to the Choosing Happy Podcast
Since it’s we recently celebrated International Coaching Week, dive into my Break the Pattern, Choose Happy 7-day podcast series on the Choosing Happy Podcast. Each episode uses coaching and NLP to help you break creative blocks and write with confidence. Listen at www.choosinghappypodcast.com or on your favorite platform!
Finally...
I’m so proud of this community and the stories you’re creating. Let’s keep choosing to create magic through writing—share your bestseller tips or progress in our Kajabi community, and I’ll see you there!
With joy,
Heather V Masters
Heather V Masters
P.S. Want to chat about your writing goals? Drop me an email—I’d love to hear from you!
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