The Copywriter Club Podcast #418: Writing Your Story with Allison Fallon

Host: Rob Marsh
Guest: Allison Fallon, Author and Book Writing Coach
Release Date: October 22, 2024

1. Introduction to Allison Fallon

Rob Marsh [00:35]: Introduces Allison Fallon, author of The Power of Writing It Down and Write Your Story. He highlights Allison’s unique approach to writing, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits her methods provide beyond traditional writing techniques.

2. Allison’s Journey from Teaching to Writing

Allison Fallon [03:25]: Shares her long-standing ambition to become an author, sparked in fourth grade when a teacher recognized her storytelling talent. She pursued a master’s degree in teaching and worked in the public school system for three years. Despite publishing her first book, Packing Light, which sold around 30,000 copies, Allison realized that book sales alone couldn't sustain her financially. This realization led her to pivot towards coaching other aspiring authors, culminating in her next publication, The Power of Writing It Down.

3. The Therapeutic Power of Writing

Allison Fallon [08:53]: Discusses how her book The Power of Writing It Down felt more like therapy than a conventional writing guide. Growing up with a therapist father and experiencing a tumultuous divorce, Allison found writing to be a lifeline. Writing Indestructible, her memoir about leaving an abusive marriage, transformed her perspective and played a crucial role in reshaping her life.

Notable Quote:
"Writing about our life experiences can be deeply transformational and healing and can totally shift your perspective and change the course of your life for good."
— Allison Fallon [08:53]

4. From First Draft to Final Draft: The Evolution of a Story

Rob Marsh [11:59]: Inquires about the difference between Allison’s first and final drafts of The Power of Writing It Down.

Allison Fallon [12:18]: Explains that her initial draft was raw and detached, making the protagonist (herself) seem like a victim. Through revisions, she transformed the character into someone proactive and empowered, illustrating how writing can influence the writer’s own growth.

Notable Quote:
"Writing, how it has that impact on us, is that we both become the character we want to be as we put that character on the page."
— Allison Fallon [12:18]

5. Story-Driven vs. Content-Driven Books

Allison Fallon [29:14]: Differentiates between story-driven books (like memoirs and novels) and content-driven books (such as business or self-help books). She emphasizes the importance of identifying which category your book falls into to effectively structure and convey its message.

Notable Quote:
"A book can only be about one thing... it's about really understanding what's the one thing that I'm writing about."
— Allison Fallon [21:29]

6. Structuring Your Book: The Controlling Idea

Allison Fallon [21:29]: Introduces the concept of the "controlling idea," the single central theme that your book revolves around. She uses her own books as examples to illustrate how a clear controlling idea guides the narrative and ensures coherence.

Notable Quote:
"The controlling idea is built around the problem, the one big problem that your reader is facing, the path out of that problem, and the resolution."
— Allison Fallon [26:04]

7. Overcoming Writing Challenges and Scheduling

Allison Fallon [30:28]: Offers practical advice on integrating writing into daily life. She advocates for scheduling dedicated writing times and treating these slots as non-negotiable appointments. Allison also acknowledges the need for flexibility, especially when life circumstances change, and encourages writers to find personalized methods that work for them.

Notable Quote:
"Treating our writing time just like we would any other appointment in our calendar."
— Allison Fallon [32:29]

8. Belief That Everyone Has a Book

Rob Marsh [37:50]: Questions whether everyone truly has a story worth writing.

Allison Fallon [37:56]: Asserts that everyone has a unique story to tell. She explains that it's a matter of perspective and structure. Even seemingly mundane lives have compelling narratives when viewed through the right lens.

Notable Quote:
"Everybody has something to say. Everybody's fascinating."
— Allison Fallon [37:56]

9. Common Mistakes in Book Writing

Allison Fallon [42:24]: Identifies two major mistakes aspiring authors often make:

1. Confusing Story-Driven with Content-Driven: Not recognizing the fundamental differences in structure and purpose between these types of books.
2. Writing What the Market Wants Instead of What the Author Wants to Write: This can lead to regret and unfulfilled writing aspirations.

Notable Quote:
"When a book idea comes to you, it's like the Elizabeth Gilbert big magic idea that, if it's going to visit you and if you don't take it, it's going to take off and visit somebody else."
— Allison Fallon [42:24]

10. Introducing "Write Your Story"

Allison Fallon [46:08]: Discusses her latest book, Write Your Story, developed from workshops co-taught with Donald Miller. The book provides a structured approach to writing personal stories, whether for publication or for personal legacy projects. It emphasizes the importance of structuring your narrative to convey meaningful messages and preserve stories for future generations.

Notable Quote:
"It teaches you a structure that literally anybody can use to take a story from your life and put it on the page."
— Allison Fallon [46:08]

Conclusion

Rob Marsh [49:08]: Encourages listeners to explore Allison Fallon’s work, highlighting the transformative power of her writing methodologies. He reflects on how her approach has influenced his own perspective on writing within the realm of copywriting and marketing.

Allison Fallon [48:06]: Provides information on how listeners can follow her work on Instagram (@allifallon) and access her books through various platforms.

Notable Quote:
"Sharing what you know, whether in a book or some other platform, isn't just about landing a client or selling a product. Rather, it's often about something deeper."
— Allison Fallon [49:24]

Key Takeaways:

• Writing as Therapy: Allison emphasizes the healing and transformative power of writing personal stories.
• Structured Approach: Identifying a controlling idea and distinguishing between story-driven and content-driven books are crucial for coherent writing.
• Personalization: Finding a writing routine that fits individual life circumstances enhances productivity and consistency.
• Universal Stories: Everyone has a unique story worth telling, and it's the writer's perspective that brings it to life.
• Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Focus on writing what you are passionate about rather than what you think the market demands to prevent future regrets.

For more insights and resources, visit Allison Fallon on Instagram or explore her books available on Amazon and other bookstores.