If you prefer video content over text, I explain this material with fun, musical examples in my YouTube video.
In 2023, I started my first business, teaching communication skills. In 2024, I gave my first TEDx talk.
In 2025, I started planning my first book and in 2026, I promised I’d finally write it.
In this blog series, I break down the surreal journey I took to fulfilling my most precious childhood dream, and becoming a first-time author.
This is Episode 1.
I knew for a long time what I wanted my book to be about: thinking quickly, speaking clearly, and presenting with confidence. Starting with those pillars, I fleshed out a full outline:
- How to Manage Nerves
- How to Think on the Spot
- How to Speak Concisely
- How to Listen and Persuade
- How to Tell a Great Story
- How to Amplify Your Voice and Body Language
- How to Design Clear Slides
- How to Craft a Compelling Talk
- How to Be an Unforgettable Presenter
I then jumped straight into writing Chapter 1, but realized three big challenges stood in the way…
Challenge #1:
How do I distinguish this from every other communication book out there?
The Internet, after all, is replete with advice on public speaking. I had to make this book different.
- Maybe I’d leverage my multidisciplinary background in data and music composition…
- Maybe I’d lean on the unique methodology I’d perfected over the years to teach private and corporate clients…
I decided to go with both: make this book a creative AND analytical approach to communication – a complete system from mind to mic, on the stage and off the cuff for speaking like a leader.
Challenge #2:
How should I structure each chapter?
I wanted the book to be fundamentally based in neuroscience and psychology. But I also didn’t want it to be a giant research paper.
“Hmm”, I thought, “what about storytelling? Stories are one of the most memorable and engaging devices we have for learning”
Ok … But HOW to mix research and story together?
- Should I insert random personal stories in the middle of a research deep-dive…
- Or should I make the whole chapter one big story, and insert trivia facts here and there…
Ultimately I decided to make the book centered on research, with hand-on, story-based examples to demonstrate the major principles.
Challenge #3:
What should my writing style be like?
This was the biggest challenge. Because even though I’d been writing on my blog and social media for years, writing a full-length book felt different.
I was wrestling with being super serious and professional, or being super humorous and light-hearted. I re-wrote my first chapter at least five times because the tone just never felt right.
Then I realized … I have to take the advice I give my public speaking clients: don’t try to be another person when you’re on stage. Speak naturally and that’s how you best connect with your audience.
Instead of trying to sound like an “expert” author or “entertaining” writer, I just needed to write like I speak.
That epiphany let everything begin to flow, and I finally put the finishing touches on Chapter 1.
The book is still a looong ways to go, but I’m very happy with progress. More updates to come!
Follow me on LinkedIn for more updates on the book and its release!
