Mahrukh Imtiaz 0:00
Welcome to the Spicy Chai Podcast, I’m Mahrukh Imtiaz. I host this podcast and still work a successful and fulfilling nine-to-five. My guests are content creators just a bit ahead of you, you will hear about their struggles and then learn from their mistakes so that you can avoid making them.

So, grab a cup of Spicy Chai!

And let’s get started.

We have Dennis here and we’re gonna go through a rapid-fire with him as he is the author of two books and one of them is a best seller second, almost getting there.

So first question. One piece of advice you would have for creators writing their first book,

Dennis Geleen 0:33
Just get that first version of the manuscript. Don’t just get that first draft done. I found myself early on wanting to go back and edit while I’m writing. It just slows you down. Get it done. Get it out.

Mahrukh Imtiaz 0:45
Sounds good.

And what’s one thing you wish you had known when you started writing your first book?

Dennis Geleen 0:50
Tough days, we’re going to come and there’s gonna be days you don’t feel like writing through it anyway,

Mahrukh Imtiaz 0:54
Let’s get what is the one common myth about being an author that you want to debunk.

Dennis Geleen 0:59
It’s not as hard as you think. Just break it down into small chunks have some daily goals and the momentum builds pretty quick.

Mahrukh Imtiaz 1:06
What are 123 Mistakes You wish you had avoided as a first-time author?

Dennis Geleen 1:10
Oh, I wish I hadn’t done the graphics, my cell phone the first book, and I wish I had paid a professional editor for the first couple of books.

Mahrukh Imtiaz 1:18
What are the best resources that have helped you along the way on your journey as an author?

Dennis Geleen 1:22
Definitely the professional editors I’ve worked with. So with the Zero in Formula that was Sandra Wendel, she was more like a book coach. And then with the Accidental Solopreneur. That was Abner Landis, and he taught me so much about writing fiction and building the momentum and the characters in the plot, and just soaked it all up. So much fun. 

Mahrukh Imtiaz 1:41
Love that! Big shout out to both of them. I’ll have their names in the show notes as well. Perfect. What is something people spend too much time on that they should skip entirely when writing a book?

Dennis Geleen 1:49
Figuring out the title, the subtitle and the chapter titles. Just that’ll come to you at the end. Once the books done. It’ll be obvious, but don’t worry about that in the beginning.

Mahrukh Imtiaz 1:59
Perfect. Awesome. Those were all my questions. Thanks so much, Dennis.

Well, beautiful. I hope that this podcast inspired you to create your own podcast. Remember, you don’t have to quit your nine to five to do it. And if you found value in this podcast, you’re gonna love my free training video on how you can get started today. DM me the word Spicy Chai on LinkedIn and I’ll send it over to you.

Until then, lots of love from your favorite. You got this, beautiful!