About Joan Clout-Kruse
Hello Readers!
Fun Stuff
I love inline skating. Years ago I entered the Los Angeles Marathon that held the first Inline Skating Event with 2000 other skaters. Taking on a challenge like this (that is totally out of my low-key character) helps me grow and face my fears head on. Change is definitely good. In fact I’ve spent thousands of hours over the years studying, attending workshops, and writing about success-oriented topics, as it is SO IMPORTANT to our personal growth and success.
Semi-Serious Stuff
My hubby has had to put up with me for 43 years…so have my three kids. My family was there for me when I had a home-based secretarial service in the early ‘70s called Instant Girl Friday. They helped me stuff envelopes, mimeograph newsletters (state of the art equipment at that time), and make deliveries. Our favorite client was Shirley Temple Black. Usually someone else in her family delivered materials to me to type on my state-of-the-art royal blue IBM Selectric® typewriter, but one day we heard that Mrs. Black herself would bring the work. We were all excited, as now the neighbors would see my important client. Mrs. Black arrived in a beaten up yellow pick-up truck. She had her hair in curlers covered by a headscarf and her face was hidden by large sunglasses. Alas, she looked like a cleaning lady—no one recognized my famous client.
Serious Business Career
I began my career working for the Pacific Telephone Yellow Pages and after Instant Girl Friday I moved on to serve many large companies including Stanford University and UC Berkeley in management positions. I learned how to write a condensed version of reports in my business career because senior management always wanted a synopsis of my department activities or requests in one or two pages. I learned how to write great short reports that brought results.
Serious Writing Career
Years ago I wrote that great American novel we all dream of writing. A story of a teenager coming of age in the ‘50s (guess who?) It’s filed away in that “someday” drawer. In 2002 my book, Top 10 Traits of Silicon Valley Dynamos was published. It is jam-packed with activities to guide the success-oriented individual to meet their goals along with terrific success stories of ordinary people working in Silicon Valley. Dynamos was displayed at the 2002 Chicago Book Expo. I had many radio interviews sharing the success principles mentioned in my book and an interview by the Associated Press.
Friends and business colleagues wanted me to tell them how to write their book and get it published. After sharing my ideas with them these past few years I wrote the e-book, co-authored with my buddy Marc Isaac Potter, How to Write Your Book in 90 Days or Less. I also reprinted The ABCs of Success as an e-book as it helps writers stay focused on their success journey. In 2005 I published more than 25 articles on writing, goal-setting and personal development.
Credits and Other Stuff
I spent more than 3,000 hours studying, writing and attending success-oriented workshops on personal success, leadership, management, psychology and enhancing my speaking skills. As a result I was able to overcome my own social anxiety, shyness, and fear of speaking years ago. I co-founded with my Silicon Valley buddies the non-profit organization, Success Builders International, A Personal Development Organization. As a commissioned Stephen Minister I help others in the community learn to cope with the stresses and heartaches of life. I am a member of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and the Williamette Writers Group.
Get in the writing zone with Coach Joan
That’s all about me, now let’s hear from you… Are you ready to write your great book? You can receive a FREE 30-minute consultation that can help you determine if you are ready to write your book. You will get some great tips on how to get started. Contact me today in the form below.