A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your First Book - From Idea to Manuscript eWorkshop - 12- November- 2024

When you’ve spent years in community service, you’ve gathered powerful insights, stories, and lessons that can inspire and uplift others. Writing a book is your chance to share that wisdom, creating a legacy that goes beyond the people you’ve helped directly. It’s not just about telling your story—it’s about giving others the tools and inspiration to change their own lives. The leap from service to author may feel intimidating, but you’ve already done the hard part. You’ve lived the experience. Now, it’s about transforming that experience into a book that can make a lasting impact.

In this 3-hour workshop, I’ll guide you through the process, from shaping your initial idea to creating a clear roadmap that will take you from concept to a manuscript. You’ll walk away with the roadmap, the tools, and the unshakable confidence to finally get that book out of your head and onto the page.

1. Learn the Fundamentals of Self-Help Structure

Learn how to develop your idea into a structured outline that will guide your writing from start to finish. We’ll break down the process into manageable steps to ensure you can confidently move forward. We’ll cover the key components of a women’s empowerment self-help book, including how to introduce your key message, break it down into actionable insights, and guide your readers through their own transformation process. You’ll walk away with a clear framework for each chapter.

2. Overcome Writer’s Block and Self-Doubt

Writer’s block isn’t just about staring at a blank page. It’s often tangled up with self- doubt, perfectionism, and that nagging voice that says, “Who do you think you are to write this book?” In this section of the workshop, we’ll dive deep into strategies to

move past both the mental blocks and the emotional resistance that hold you back.

3. Structure, Flow, and Storytelling Magic

You’ve got the life experience, now let’s craft a book that flows like a conversation with your best friend. You’ll learn how to organize your chapters, create a narrative arc, and pack each page with so much value that readers won’t be able to put it down. This is your story, and no one else can tell it the way you can. I’ll help you find your unique voice and use it to write something that’s raw, real, and unapologetically you.

4. Publishing 101 Without the BS

You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, and now it’s time to get it out into the world. But how do you navigate the publishing landscape? In this part of the workshop, we’ll cut through the confusion and give you a clear, straightforward understanding of the publishing process—whether you choose to go the traditional route or self-publish. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Who Is This Workshop For?

• You have a powerful story or message inside you, but you’re not sure how to begin writing it.

• You want to write a book that will inspire and uplift others, sharing your experiences and insights to make a difference.

• You need help organising your thoughts into a clear structure so that writing feels manageable, not overwhelming.

• You are ready to take action, get serious about writing, and finally bring your book idea to life.

• You want guidance on how to keep writing, even when life gets busy or doubts creep in.

• You are curious about what it takes to publish your book and want expert advice on your next steps.

The VOW MODEL

My first draft was flat-out rejected by my publisher. I felt the sting, but honestly, I’m grateful for it. That rejection forced me to dig deeper, and I went on to write a book that not only made me proud but also impacted thousands of readers. But let me tell you—it wasn’t easy. When I first started, I felt completely overwhelmed. I had this burning desire to share my experiences, to create something that would empower others, but every time I tried to get the words out, they just wouldn’t land on the page. Self-doubt whispered that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.

I spent months stuck in a cycle of overthinking and rewriting. It wasn’t until I made the decision to fully commit to the process that things began to shift. That’s when I developed the VOW Model, which finally gave me the clarity and direction I needed:

1. Voice – I learned to own my story and my unique voice. No one could tell my story like I could, and that’s when everything clicked. I realized my voice was the power behind the message I wanted to share.

2. Ownership – Writing isn’t about waiting for inspiration. It’s about showing up, consistently. I created a routine and committed to owning the process. Little by little, the words added up, and my book started to take shape.

3. Wisdom – Understanding the self-help framework made all the difference. I learned how to structure my wisdom in a way that guided my readers through a transformative journey, creating a lasting impact. This model helped me turn my chaotic thoughts into a structured, cohesive book. The more I wrote, the more I trusted my voice, and eventually, the vision for my book became clear.

When: Tuesday 12th November from 8am-11am. (AEDT)

Where: Online eWorkshop via Zoom. You will receive the Zoom details when payment is received.

Cost: The early bird booking is $195.00 (GST incl) if registered before 29th October 2024. If registering after 29h October 2024 then the Full Price is $250.00 (GST incl). Payment is required prior to attending the eWorkshop.

To register: Register and complete payment. A Tax Invoice will be emailed to you. The payment needs to be completed before the workshop occurs, for the registration to be fully confirmed.

Facilitator: Sheila Vijeyarasa

When it comes to writing and publishing, I’ve lived on both sides of the process—inside the boardroom and at the writer’s desk. Here’s why I’m the right person to guide you through writing your first book:

Over a Decade of Publishing Insights: I’ve worked in finance and operations for three of Australia’s major publishing houses—Random House, Harlequin (now HarperCollins), and Simon & Schuster. During this time, I sat in hundreds of publishing meetings, gaining firsthand knowledge of what it takes to get a book from manuscript to bookshelf. I also read countless manuscripts, understanding what works, what gets rejected, and what publishers are really looking for.

Secured a Deal with a Major Publisher: I didn’t just work in the publishing world—I landed a publishing deal myself. My book was picked up by Rockpool Publishing, a leader in the spiritual and self-help space. I understand the process from the inside out, and I know what it takes to write a book that gets noticed.

Author of Two Books: I’ve written and launched two successful books. These books didn’t just fill shelves—they’ve formed the foundation of my coaching and speaking career, giving me the platform to reach thousands of readers and clients around the world.

Proven Success in Coaching and Speaking: The books I’ve written have led to a successful coaching practice and a thriving speaking career. I understand how to leverage a book to build a business, grow your brand, and make a real impact in your field.

I’ve Been Where You Are: I know firsthand the challenges of writing a book. From self-doubt to finding time to write, I’ve experienced it all. And I’ve come out the other side with a process that works. I’ll help you navigate these challenges and stay on course, using the same strategies that helped me bring my books to life.

Corporate C-Suite Executive to empowerment mentor; Sheila Vijeyarasa is a force to be reckoned with, following the successful release of her inaugural book; Brave: Courageously

Live your Truth. She has trained with The Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership and is a qualified NLP practitioner, Inner Child Therapist and is a Trauma Informed Facilitator.

Fast becoming a beacon of light and support to females across the globe following the launch of her mentoring program The Courageous Path TM , Sheila is showing up authentically again, this time on our screens to tell the story of her IVF journey to try and become a mother. The raw challenge, which Sheila is sharing with the world, is her struggle to become a mother. Sheila is bravely supporting others again by documenting her mature age  IVF journey on Channel Nine’s documentary: Big Miracles.  Sheila has already supported hundreds of women on their journey to living authentically and being empowered to adopt a holistic, spiritual approach to both their career and personal lives.

A STAND FOR BEING BRAVE IN ALL ELEMENTS OF OUR LIVES: SHEILA IS NOW A CELEBRATED AUTHOR AND SPIRIUTAL MENTOR

Sheila works with emerging leaders to clear their limiting beliefs and address common blocks including burnout, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. After decades of leading

and leadership training, she has an enormous tool kit of high-performance habits, confidence hacks and communication tips to deal with challenging staff and difficult conversations.

She has been featured in the media sharing her insights and strategies for an empowering and courageous successful life from Thrive Global, Sydney Morning Herald, Body + Soul, CEO World Magazine, CFO Australia, just to name a few. “Sheila V is an inspiring and empowering mentor. It has been an incredible journey alongside a circle of like-minded women becoming brave enough to be our authentic selves and to experience genuine transformation in our businesses and also in our personal lives. It has been empowering to realise the untapped potential in all of us that comes through our intuition and trust in our higher selves. Sheila not only leads from a place of strength and a history of corporate successes, but from authentic vulnerability that takes the most courage of all. I highly recommend Sheila for any corporate or business leadership shake up. I’m no longer the same person I was before meeting her” Anne, Business Owner.