Dear Friend,
My book is currently with the copyeditor. Interior design is in April. Lisa Lotito is designing the cover.
It’s happening.
I didn’t want to say anything before now. I’ve seen too many fellow entrepreneurs declare ahead of the drafting process that they “are writing a book”. And that book never materializes. Which is fine—writing reveals what needs to be said and in what manner it needs to be shared. But it’s a weird feeling to be told a book is forthcoming and then it never comes forth.
This one is nearly there so I feel confident in telling you HEY IT EXISTS.
Publish date is still tbd but I’m looking at mid-May or June. Self-publishings gives that kind of flexibility.
The short facts:
Title: “The Ground Truth Process: Name Your Work to Lead with Intention and Conviction”
Topic: Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the process I use with clients. The method I developed over the past 5 years that unearths, illuminates, and organizes the words that capture you at your most fundamentally you moments. Then how to apply that definition into talking about your work so you can be seen and known.
Will be available as a pdf ebook with printable worksheets.
Paperback TBD. There’s a whole world for how to get the physical copies developed for self-publishers. I want to do it right so will be taking my time making this happen.
The fun facts:
I started an entirely different writing project last fall. Hired an editor to work with me on it. And within a week of sending her text, she said, “These are two different projects. And the Ground Truth method is getting in the way of the other one.” Ugh. I didn’t want to hear that but she was right. The knowledge I’d accumulated about how to do this thing I do all the time was always coming out of me in the wrong order and occluding any other ideas I wanted to explore. I needed to say the thing I’d been trying to explain for 5 years. And then move on to other creative work.
I told her I could write it by mid November. It was mid October. She smiled and nodded and I was very sure she held some healthy skepticism. But when ideas have been sitting disorganized in your head for 5 years, they have a lot of time to mature. It was less a creative project and more like science writing—you do all the experiments and data collection and then just write out what happened. If you do the science right, writing the damn thing takes the least amount of time.
And I care about putting my name on my IP. I have an ego after all.
So I sat down and cranked it out. By the time I left for my brother’s wedding on November 9th, I had drafted 20k words and submitted them to my editor.
The bones were good. That meant the editing process was straightforward. I kept the basic structure and just added to the material already there.
It’s now clocking in at 28k words; short and sweet for a business-minded book. Easy to read. Straightforward steps. Nuanced insights from years of doing this work. Stories about real people making everyday life and work decisions, not just the fancy pants CEOs of the world.
I’ve found it to be deeply satisfying to work on a project again. I adore my clients but our time together is fleeting even if the relationship we build through the work lasts a long time. Putting my head down and structuring language has felt so good. The only other work I can remember feeling quite this clear and strong was when I cofounded Camp Westie with Robbie, Michael, and Helen. I’ve realized again and again since getting pregnant that writing was important to me and something I wanted to spend my professional life doing.
And it feels so good to have realized that in something as tangible as this book. I can now point to my ideas and say, “You can go experience them right there.” No blog series or podcast or newsletter sequence was ever going to make it as clear and succinct as putting it down in book form. The shortest version of sharing an idea is the right way to share it. I just didn’t know if I’d ever have something that needed a book to explore it fully.
I also didn’t know that my first book-length text would be in the hybrid genre of “biz / self-help / language theory”. Not mad. But definitely think the next project will be more Writer Dana Voice rather than Consultant Dana Voice. These are two modes that I’ve just started to understand the difference between—Consultant Dana sees things, has big empathy (and bigger ideas) and wants to help solve A Problem with this Thing-She-Knows; Writer Dana has questions and is going to go wander around asking them and you can come along if you feel like it.
I love both of these voices. They are both part of me. And the context determines which is the one to inhabit.
More to come as we get closer to release date. I’ve just been savoring the pride I have in myself this week and getting excited about sharing it with all of you. It was time to talk about it!
With Love,
-Dana-
Eclectic Thoughts and Links
I enjoy pretending to be French by reading clothing recommendations by Americans who visit Paris which actually is the most white American thing one can do in relationship to France.
Pinterest is feeding me fashion for women over 50 who clearly live in Europe and I think I found my new era of Parenting Fashion. Goodbye black jumpsuits! No more need for front-access zipers! Hello natural fibers and earthy tones and hats and comfy shoes!
I write to these three playlists almost exclusively. I basically take a favorite soundtrack and delete any of the songs I don’t like. Play on repeat forever and ever.
But what does it matter? My entire Spotify Wrapped for 2023 will be the Encanto Soundtrack because my 1yo loves it and listens to it almost exclusively. At least she has great taste in latin tunes? Fully expect her to know Spanish by the time she’s 5yo (even if I do prefer French).
Saw beloved friends from Montreal last weekend. Hearing them talk with their 2yo reminded me that my French isn’t all that bad. I can understand most of what they say to their 2yo! Not bad for only college French! Okay, and middle school but I try to forget that experience where I regularly got Cs and Ds on tests. I’d never suffered such poor school performance before and I have chronic language anxiety from it, never mind the stalwart compassion from my teacher who helped me 1-1 so many times and never could get me to be much better.
I read “Body Work” on the day I took in downtown DC. And am rereading. It’s luminous and composed beautifully.
I bought this book at Second Story in Dupont Circle. I read it in high school where I found in the Hershey public library. It’s delightful to revisit. Did you know that Emma Thompson (who plays Eleanor) married Greg Wise (who plays Willoughby)? I didn’t until recently. I love the idea of Eleanor and Willoughby being the lovers of the book.
Speaking of Emma Thompson, I enjoyed watching “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” starring Emma Thompson. She’s just so good. And I love this interview with Stephen Colbert and its Part 2.
Then read “I’m Glad My Mom Died” in one day. Combo that with this interview with Sara Polley (director of “Women Talking”)and I WILL NEVER PUT MY CHILD IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING. Nope. Not happening. Even the sweet kids with down-to-earth, caring parents suffer from the cruelty of fame.
Speaking of Sara Pauley, I’ve been texting with my friend Dr. Anjali Narayanan about nominations for Best Actress (because it’s the only race we ever really care about each year). To quote her: “I give Cate an Oscar for just existing. But Michelle Yeoh earned it.” Truth truth truth.
Speaking of Oscars, here’s my favorite fashion moment of recent Oscar years. Natalie Portman with her bobbeed hair, wearing a Dior gown and cape embroidered with the names of the female directors who were snubbed for Best Director nominations even though their films were nominated for Best Picture. Included Greta Gerwig who directed “Little Women” which is one of my forever faves now
Speaking of “Little Women”, I got to see a first edition at Second Story in Dupont. Didn’t realize that the book shown in Gerwig’s film IS the first edition of the book.
Libraries are a gift to the world. I have a vague plan to take Pippin to all the libraries in our county and in DC and play in all of their kid’s departments. She just got into books and won’t let us catch a break from reading “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?” AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. I’m supposed to be happy she’s building a love of literacy, right?
We’ve been asked what our travel plans are this year. All I want is to see friends I love and talk for hours. Don’t care where in the world this takes place. I miss the long, winding conversations.
If you’re in the DC area, my darling Katherine Leiden (college friend) is starring as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice next month.
I have a hard time getting my head around kitchen things. This book was shockingly helpful in how it broke down What a Kitchen is For and how to use it to meet your values and priorities based on the season you are in. Robbie does most of the cooking, shopping, kitchen maintenance. But he needs a break and I need to figure out my personal method of getting things done there.
This coffee shop in Baltimore was stunning. Photos don’t do it justice. I wanted every single item in their shop. Magical greenhouse plant store at the top of the hill behind it. Outdoor patio designed for loitering and musical gatherings. Reminded me of this favorite coffee shop in Galway.
I’m daydreaming about a NYC weekend where I just see friends and visit bookstores.
Currently reading:
“Winterkeep” by Kristin Cashore, a newish installment of a fantasy series I loved about a decade ago.
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Emma Weiss told me I needed to buy it rather than just get it out of the library and she was right. I’ve heard about it for years and no one told me it was a series of essays?! I could have been reading it before bed this whole time?! And it’s all about motherhood?! People leave out such important details.
I made this website much better. Someone shared the article on officiating with her sister who said it completely changed how she was approaching officiating for friends this summer.
Judith Heumann died. An icon. A legend. I’d hoped I’d someday see her out and about in DC.
10th bday for Creative Mornings DC next week. First time I’ll actually get to attend the bday party, barring no more viruses strike us down. All the speakers from the last 10 years were invited and SWOON SO MANY ARE ATTENDING. Do I send the post I wrote about Jason Reynolds to him ahead of time? Too awkward?
Oh hey. Here’s me in my last minute creative mornings talk in 2021. And the webpage of “show notes” that’s super adorable.
I’m a sucker for book swag on babies.
“Shrinking” on Apple+ is fantastic. I may be part of a nascent Brett Goldstein fanclub comprised of… moms in business. Lol.
Speaking of Brett, Ted Lasso Season 3 comes out very, very soon. Will be trying to not watch until I can binge the whole thing at once.
The pandemic is now 3 years old. I was reminiscing on the trip we took to Houston right before it all kicked off. Look how relaxed I am! Look how unafraid!
Nikki McClure is a very cool artist.
PS.
I have a business. I help unboxable leaders name their work so they can create with intention and conviction. I’m available to work 1-1 or with your team to develop the unique, precise language that anchors you in doing the thing you are trying to do. Talk soon?