Do you also have obligatory distractions, like me?


Click here to browse the Black Friday Sales. Only two days left to participate.

What Superpower Do You Want?

Lately I have be attempting to simulate those superpowers that my neuro-divergent spouse has. The ones that involve focusing on one thing for hours and blocking all distractions out.

I can't do that.

It's not just noise that distracts me. It's the obligatory distractions that slay me. It's not the tippy-tippy tap of Radar's feet that bothers me. It's the "If I can hear them, I wonder if he needs to get to the bathroom? Should I take him out? I wonder if he's lonely. Does he know where he is? Does he really have dementia? I should spend time with him before he dies."

And then I'm off on an ADHD spiral and I don't even have it.

The best I can do to simulate, I think, is to control my environment.

First, I get physically comfortable -- that's such a distraction for me! Is there a tag itching me? Do I have to pee? Am I thirsty? Do I have a headache?

Then, I go to my office (with a door I can close if I next extra help concentrating or moderating the dogs or recording), and--depending on the type of work I'm doing -- I'll put on noise-canceling headphones and something trance-y, without words, as a musical white noise.

What really helps ... and I'm currently guilty of dropping the ball on this "because of the move," (I've really got to stop using that excuse.") is accountability groups. Or even just one person.

The best tip in this email is this one. Finding a live human to check in with about the things you said you wanted to do is vital to productivity.

There. I said it. It might ruffle some feathers.

Structure, Spark, and Success

Right now, Focus and Finish Group Coaching is on sale for $450 off the regular price.

You'll also get three free video trainings AND the first three people to sign up with get a free 1:1 coaching session with me ($222 value). (Total $672 in savings!)

Start 2026 right with a Quarter 1 mastermind designed for success. You'll totally crush it. I just know it. You can't not be successful with a small group cheering you on.

Dream Big and Finish Your Book

If groups aren't your thing, Aligned Author 1:1 Book Coaching is the perfect ticket, and it's $750 off, plus the three free video trainings, the four free months of Writers with WAG (my accountability, and planner nerd tier on my Patreon page), and four monthly reflection group sessions.

Take Your Manuscript from Boring to Bad Ass

If you've already finished your manuscript, Woo-Hoo! Congratulations! You rock! You did something so, so cool.

Maybe the next best thing you could do for yourself is get a Story Diagnostic to make sure all the story elements are there and that the story works as a whole. Having "other eyes" on the manuscript at this stage is really helpful.

Good thing you can buy a Story Diagnostic now and use it later if you aren't quite there yet. Get $518 off for starters! Add in other discounts and bonuses and you'll be able to confidently send your manuscript to the next step in the publishing journey.

There are only two days left of the biggest sale of the year.

Invest in yourself. Tell your story. It's time.

796 Kelly Blvd, Springfield, OR 97477
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Valerie Ihsan, Story Analyst and Author Coach specializing in Memoir.

I've been working in this field, helping authors, for seventeen years. My favorite thing to do for writers is a story analysis, and I love coaching. I run a small writing retreat every summer in Oregon, and I podcast with author Erick Mertz on the Writer Craft Podcast.

Read more from Valerie Ihsan, Story Analyst and Author Coach specializing in Memoir.

This is it! I don't want you to be disappointed you didn't utilize the sale prices and get all the awesome bonuses. They're pretty amazing, and the discounts are the highest they've ever been. Last 24 hours and the prices go back up. Click here for all the Black Friday Deal details Aligned Author -- Dream big, finish your book, and intuitively work in alignment with your values and core-desired feelings. 4 months 1:1 weekly book coaching: Now $1472 ($750 off), plus 3 bonus video trainings,...

You guys. I've never done this before. It's a Black Friday deal. I never thought to do it. Honestly. But these are for real the coolest deals I've ever made. I made a special webpage that highlights the THREE services on sale this week. Go check it out. Sale ends on Cyber Monday. That's only one week. I won't make this email long, but go check out the amazing crazy sale prices on: Aligned Author 1:1 Book Coaching (Only 8 slots available!) $750 off! Focus and Finish Group Coaching (I haven't...

The special live rate (and this REPLAY video) from last night’s masterclass expires Friday, October 10 at 11:59 pm PT. Where Ego Meets Soul—final hours for live pricing For the next 24 hours, you can join Aligned Author, my 1:1 coaching container for soul-led experts, at the special live masterclass pricing. The rate expires Friday, October 10 at 11:59 pm PT. What is Aligned Author? How we work (structure + spirit): 60–90 min strategy immersion to clarify your core message and story...