Write, Teach, Spark: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Book that Matters

by Cara J. Stevens

What if your words could do more than inform—what if they could establish you as a leader and inspire others?



Write, Teach, A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Book that Matters is your step-by-step guide to transforming your ideas into a message that matters. Whether you’re a professional, creative, or thought leader, this book will help you turn your expertise into a tool for teaching, leading, and making an impact.



Inside, you’ll discover how

Clarify your unique insights and communicate them with confidenceCraft messages that resonate deeply with your audienceWrite with confidence and purposeUse writing as a way to teach, inspire, and leadNavigate the publishing process and share your vision with the world

Packed with actionable strategies, practical tools, reflection prompts, and plenty of encouragement, Write, Teach, Spark can help you do more than write a book—it can empower you to achieve your goals and build a legacy of influence.



Your message matters. Start sharing it today.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2025

About the author

I have wanted to be a writer since I was four years old and fell in love with reading. I wrote stories and songs and poems. I wrote plays and scribbled thoughts and ideas in notebooks. I wrote when I was supposed to be doing sports, and sometimes I wrote under the covers by flashlight when I was supposed to be asleep in bed.

I got my first big break writing stories for Sesame Street video games. Then I helped design and create video games based on books, like Bruce Coville's My Teacher is an Alien and Roxie Munro's Inside Outside World. I got my big break when Byron Preiss commissioned me to write my first novel, Dragon School. I felt like the luckiest person in the world because I got to live my dream!
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That was 20 years ago! Since then, I've written many more books. I write about Paw Patrol, SpongeBob Squarepants, Mickey Mouse and Bubble Guppies for little kids. I write about Fortnite, Minecraft and Terraria video games for bigger kids. I also get to write about cool trends like Fidget Spinners, the K-Pop band BTS, how to record your family history, and a guide to playing Pokemon Go!

None of what I do would be possible without encouragement from my family and friends, the love and support of my amazing husband, guidance from all the fantastic editors, publishers and illustrators I work with, and of course letters and notes from readers like you!

Reviews

[Once · Rating 5 out of 5]

Write Teach Spark is a thoughtful, well-organized guide that offers both clarity and encouragement for writers looking to turn their passion and expertise into meaningful books. While especially valuable for nonfiction authors, this book offers tools and insights that apply across genres.

You’ll think about questions to help you define your audience and the purpose behind your writing. The author walks through how to mine your own experiences and interests to uncover the ideal subject—and then teaches you how to stay focused on your reader throughout the writing process.

I appreciated the reflection exercises and concise chapter summaries that reinforce each chapter. From crafting strong messages and refining your voice to exploring leadership as an author and embracing your expertise, there’s a ton of practical wisdom.

The book also addresses less tangible elements like mindset, productivity, and goal setting. There are free resources included along with guidance on self-publishing, design, and book components—plus helpful marketing and PR strategies.

Not every chapter will apply to every writer, but anyone serious about sharing their message will find valuable insights and inspiration.