You Can’t Get There From Here: How I Became an Author

Nathan Whitaker, best-selling co-author with Tony Dungy and Tim Tebow, regaled Writers Alliance members at the general meeting on Sunday, May 3. Taking a selfie with the audience behind him, Whitaker revealed his self-deprecating sense of humor and launched into “my favorite topic, myself,” and how he became “an accidental author.”

Whitaker’s first tip to writers of memoir is to “get the subject talking,” building a much greater word count than needed. Frequently, accomplished subjects have developed a “two-minute story” for interviews and are often reluctant to talk about their accomplishments. Interviewing people close to the subject helps. Tim Tebow’s dad learned a lot about his son when he found a stack of trophies stuffed under Tim’s locker.

The first line of a book is key, Whitaker said. Tony Dungy’s book, Quiet Strength begins with his firing. Readers will be immediately engaged because many have been there. “Recognize that it will not be compelling if you don’t talk about the dark times,” Whitaker said. Who wouldn’t prefer to talk about a Superbowl win than the time he was fired? It is important for the writer to have empathy for his subject who bares himself.

Nathan Whitaker is a principal in Whitaker Partners LLC and represents college and professional coaches and administrators. He is involved in ministry and is available for speaking engagements. You can learn more at http://nathanwhitaker.com