Everyone has a book inside them, or so the saying goes. But few people get that book out. Often it's because of lack of time. So, how can you get your book written inside a week or two?
I was talking to a friend yesterday who complained they couldn't find time to write their book. They had an idea, but could never find the time. They wanted to know how did I manage to get books written so quickly - was there a magic formula I used. So I told him my story and thought I'd share it here.
I've written 27 books which have been published by traditional publishers, plus I have written five books which I have published myself. Not one of these books has taken me more than two weeks to write. And, even though one of them is 12 years old, it still continues to sell well in seven different countries in five languages and is one of the most borrowed books in libraries (according to my PLR statistics). So, even though it only took two weeks to write, it can't be that bad!
Here's my 'trick'. When I get an idea for a book I get a ring binder and label it with my book title. Then I chuck into that ring binder some blank paper and a few plastic punched pockets to store things in. Then as I go about my work over the coming days I'll just scribble down on the paper in my folder any ideas I get which might be useful for the book. Also if I see any articles in newspapers or magazines, I'll rip them out and place them in the plastic pockets in the binder. Similarly, if I see a web page which might have some value to my book, I'll print it out and shove it in the binder. I do not make any value judgements, I do not try to put things in order, I simply chuck everything that might be useful into the ring binder. I also jot down questions that people ask me that are related to the book subject and I try to come up with my own questions which the book might answer. Anything and everything is collected into the ring binder.
Once I've got a reasonable collection of material, which might take days, weeks, or months to accumulate, I'll then go through it and start to put it in order. I'll use the list of questions I've written to help guide me in this and then I'll use the sorted piles of information to help me come up with chapter headings. This might take me a day, but by the end of that day I'll have a complete, detailed outline of my book - plus all the associated background information which will help me write it.
Then I can start writing. To do this I often go away from home. In the past I used to hire a holiday cottage somewhere idyllic. Nowadays I go to my own holiday home down near Bognor Regis. But it means I can write without the distractions of the office. If you have a book of, say 30,000 words to write, that's only 5,000 words a day for six days. That's one chapter in the morning and one in the afternoon. Or, put it another way, you need to write around 750 words an hour - or one word every five seconds. Now that's not many is it?
It might sound a daunting task, but with a detailed outline and all the background information already prepared, it is actually quite straightforward. I'm convinced that people who can't find the time to write their book haven't actually formulated their ideas fully or got their information collected. Once you have down that, the writing is relatively straightforward.
So, in short, getting your book written in record time is easy if you follow a 'system'. Mine is:
* Collect any information that might be relevant
* Write down any idea which might be relevant
* Sort through all the information and ideas you collect and put them into an order
* Write a detailed outline of your book - chapter headings, sub headings etc.
* Take some time off from your normal work - a holiday away for a week, say
* Set yourself a daily target of words to write
Barbara Cartland used to write 10,000 words every day. You might not like her work, but there's no denying she was successful at what she did. Being organised and having a target to reach is the only way to get that book written. Your book will never get written if all you do is wait for 'enough time'.
Graham Jones is a psychologist who has specialized in the way we use the Internet. He is an expert on information products and runs Infoselling.com where you can get a FREE report on how to sell your own infoproducts.
tidy up service Winnetka ..Most books aren't rejected because the stories are "bad." They're... Read More
Anyone who has read any of my articles on the... Read More
Having problems writing? I don't know why. San Francisco Chronicle... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors,... Read More
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More
Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Real Estate has "Location, location, location," and writing has "Clips,... Read More
Writers are an insecure lot.It's easy to understand why. You... Read More
Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
Suspense novels, unlike any other genre, need fast starts. Fans... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial workers have turned... Read More
The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It... Read More
You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101... Read More
And a dreadful thing from the cliff did spring, and... Read More
I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
kitchen deep cleaning Lake Forest ..Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More
"You should write a book." For years, I had been... Read More
What a lack of research could do to you.When creating... Read More
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
Nothing is more daunting for any writer than having to... Read More
Taming the Book Proposal: The BasicsOh, that most maddening of... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
You know, I really hate it when someone catches me... Read More
Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a... Read More
A writer writes. Bet you've heard that one... Read More
Many of us dream of writing a book. Why not.... Read More
Okay. So I'm not David Letterman. But I doubt if... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
My Dad has this old joke that goes, "What's the... Read More
Nike's ad has taken on new meaning for me of... Read More
Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More
Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide... Read More
Writing |