T.M. Kayode

When I made the decision to write Mrs. A, I knew one thing for sure: I didn’t want to rely solely on the writing knowledge (from academic writing) I already had. As much as I’ve always loved reading, I quickly realized that reading and writing are two entirely different beasts. 

Writing is a craft that requires skill, discipline, and a deep understanding of how to engage readers from start to finish.

But here’s the catch—I didn’t have the luxury of time to dive into lengthy courses or workshops. I needed something concise, effective, and to the point. Something that would take me from point A to point B quickly without sacrificing quality.

So, I turned to Udemy and found a few courses that were just what I needed. These courses were packed with practical tips and techniques that helped me navigate the writing process, especially since I was working on a tight schedule. Here’s a breakdown of what I learned from each course and how it shaped the writing of Mrs. A.

1. Best-Selling Author Teaches You How to Write A Book in 30 Days by James Altucher – 4.5 hours

This course was a game-changer for me. James Altucher’s approach is straightforward and incredibly effective. With experience in both fiction and non-fiction, he had a lot to offer.

Key Takeaways:

• Crafting Your First Lines: One of the most crucial things I learned was the importance of those first few lines—whether it’s the beginning of your book or the start of a new chapter. James shared examples from bestsellers, demonstrating how a strong opening can hook readers immediately. This insight was invaluable when I was trying to make sure Mrs. A started with the impact I wanted.
• Overcoming Writer’s Block: James also suggested a simple yet powerful technique for overcoming writer’s block: reading the works of your favorite authors. I tried this whenever I felt stuck, and it worked wonders. It was like getting a jolt of inspiration straight from the masters.
• The Flesch-Kincaid Score: Another useful tool I learned about was the Flesch-Kincaid readability score. This score helps gauge how easy (or difficult) your text is to read. Keeping an eye on this helped me ensure that my writing was clear and accessible without dumbing down the content.

2. A Full Creative Writing Course: Create Engaging Characters, Use a 3 Act Narrative Structure, and Write Smart Dialogues by Luca Panzarella – 7 hours

I’ll be honest—I didn’t complete this course, but the parts I did get through were incredibly helpful. While the course leans heavily towards fiction, it still offered some valuable techniques that I was able to apply to Mrs. A.

Key Takeaways:

• Show, Don’t Tell: This is a classic piece of advice, but Luca’s approach made it click for me in a new way. Even though Mrs. A is non-fiction, the “show, don’t tell” technique can be applied to make the writing more vivid and engaging. Instead of just stating facts or opinions, I learned to paint pictures with words, bringing the reader into the scene.

Although this course was more fiction-focused, I’m planning to revisit it in full because I’m considering diving into fiction writing for my next project.

3. Turn Your Business Writing, Blogs, Books & Essays Into Masterpieces by Shani Raja – 4.5 hours

This final course was another gem. Shani Raja, a former editor for The Wall Street Journal, brought a polished, professional perspective that was exactly what I needed as I moved from draft to final manuscript.

Key Takeaways:

• The Four Levels of Writing Mastery: Shani introduced me to what he calls the Four Levels of Writing Mastery, which break down writing into four essential components: the narrative, the paragraphs, the sentences, and the words. This framework was incredibly useful as I worked to refine Mrs. A. It reminded me that writing is not just about getting your ideas down—it’s about how you structure and polish those ideas at every level.

So, that’s it—a glimpse into the learning process that went into writing Mrs. A. If you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, you can download it here. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you enjoy it, please consider leaving a review!

This journey has been a crash course in writing, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it to future projects. Whether it’s more non-fiction or a leap into the world of fiction, I know that the skills I’ve gained will be invaluable.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure. There’s so much more to come!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!