Breaking the Mozart Myth: Why You Need a Plan and a Coach to Write Your Book

It's often said that 80% of people believe they have a book inside them, but a tiny minority of those books are ever written. Why is this? 

This blog invites you to ignite your curiosity and explore the exclusive webinar for the Executive Encore Community and Members. Join the conversation about how writing your book during your Executive Encore can be a transformative and meaningful journey, leaving a lasting impact and legacy.

Join Helen and me for an engaging, complimentary webinar:

Your Story, Your Legacy: A Transformative Guide to Writing a Book in Your Executive Encore

May 27, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Toronto/New York). 

Join the Executive Encore Community HERE  and pre-register for the webinar.

You CAN write your book in 2025 — let Helen help you!

In the meantime, enjoy Helen’s contribution to the Executive Encore blog.

The Mozart Myth

Authored by Helen Wilkie, The Executive's Book Coach. Originally published on Helen’s blog on April 29, 2025.

Many years ago I read that Mozart never edited his work, that those masterpieces of music just rolled out on paper already perfectly formed. On looking further into it, however, I found that’s not exactly true. Mozart apparently had a prodigious memory, and was able to compose music in his head and then simply play it on the piano. When he eventually wrote it down, the much-practised manuscript would be relatively clean, giving the impression that he didn’t need to edit.

So to the budding authors who have asked me over the years if they can just sit down and start writing, I say it’s possible, but you’re making it harder for yourself than it needs to be.

Writing in a stream of consciousness way can work for some writers because it helps them get their thoughts out of their heads and into writing. What you need to know, however, is that this type of writing needs more than the usual amount of editing. That’s because it’s more like the spoken word than the written, and since your book is designed to ultimately be read, it needs to be adapted to the medium.

Another important caveat is that even pieces of your manuscript written in this way must be only part of an overall plan for writing your book. If you simply start writing at the beginning and expect to continue to the end, you’ll paint yourself into corner after corner and the process will feel never-ending.

You need a plan. But what does a book plan look like? If you are thinking about writing your first book, it may seem like a mystery, but it’s not. All you need is a guide who has been there not once but many times. When I begin work with a new client, whether as a book coach or ghostwriter, creating the plan is step one.

Want to know more? Tune into the webinar on May 27th then connect with me for a conversation about planning your book. I promise you it will get you on the right path from the start.

It turns out that Mozart didn’t write his glorious music without a plan—and I advise you not to try it with your book!

About Helen Wilkie, The Executive's Book Coach

Helen Wilkie delivered a thought-provoking guest appearance on Executive Encore on March 18, 2025. I’m delighted to have featured her follow-up insights in today’s Encore Blog.

• Watch the full video on YouTube, Unlock Your Story: Writing a Book to Make an Impact in Your Executive Encore.
• Listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Throughout Helen's career as a professional speaker, she has encountered countless executives who have long dreamed of writing a book but never quite get around to it. As a dedicated book coach and ghostwriter, Helen’s passion lies in turning those aspirations into reality, guiding her clients to finally achieve their goals of becoming published authors.

What's Next

Join Helen Wilkie, the Executive's Book Coach, and Patricia Muir, Executive Encore Coach, for the complimentary webinar on May 27, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Zone (Toronto/New York). The webinar is a complimentary VIP event for the Executive Encore Community and Members.  Don't leave without joining the Executive Encore Community HERE and pre-registering for the webinar.

Watch Helen's intro to the webinar HERE .

You CAN write your book in 2025 — let Helen help you!

#executiveauthors #businessbookwriting #writeabookinretirement