3 Little Books Went to Market But One Went Faster

By Earma Brown


Did you start on your book,lose focus and stop? Like the author, you would love the rewards of a completed book but wonder how to fit writing into your schedule. This article is for you. I want to encourage you about finishing your book fast and getting it to market sooner.

Now is not the time to give up; here are some tips that will re-start your book writing but faster. Trust me, if it feels like you're a stick in the mud, these tips will pull you out. I call them the habits of highly successful authors. Successful writers set up a system of writing using steps that become habits. Practice the habits below, write and complete your book faster than ever:

1. Discover how to do it easier and faster.

If you don't value your time, no one else will. You might have said, "I don't know anything about computers so pecking my book out would probably take forever." Don't run from technology. At least take the time to learn about the shortcuts in your existing software. Welcome to the new millennium! Embrace technology; make your software work for you. Sign-up for a basic computer course. Get a book to learn the short-cuts. Are you short on cash because of the economy, look for some free book writing tutorials online.

2. Delegate and share faster and faster

Bite the bullet; release your work to a professional sooner. Don't give in to the feeling that you have to do it all yourself. As writers, we can get pretty isolated in our thinking if we're not careful. Do your research and reading time apart from your writing sessions. You may be able to ask a friend to help with your research.

Know when to let go of your chapters and book. Don't self-edit too early. Resist picking your book apart word by word. Learn to use your skills at the highest level possible. Some of the mechanical tasks of proofreading ask a family member, part-time employee or again a friend to help. After you have done the best job you can with your manuscript, don't be afraid to pass it to a professional. Learn to delegate faster and faster.

3. Know you don't have to write in order.

Break the chains of writing your book in order. Jump around and fill in the blanks. Look over your chapters and whatever subject or topic you most drawn to then begin there. Many inexperienced writers feel they have to complete each chapter in order.

It's called linear writing (writing each chapter in order.) You don't have to write each chapter one after the other. If you happen to get stuck on chapter three, you could be stuck a very long time. I think this type of thinking comes from grade school where we are ritually taught to do everything in order.

If you have been thinking that way stop right now, no need to raise your hand. You have my permission to work on whatever chapter moves you or you feel passion bubbling for at the moment. Feeling stuck on a chapter, try another. There you have it now go with the flow.

4. Maintain your momentum and keep writing to the end.

Have you felt like I'm stuck; I can't go on? Like the author, you may have stopped writing waiting to feel it again. Don't worry many of us have felt that way. From what I said earlier you may have gotten the impression that you just write when you feel like it and quit when you don't. If so, no that's not what I meant.

Unseasoned writers may play the martyr and push through just to put something on paper or give up and try again another day. We would never get it done like that. When you get stuck simply close that chapter and pull out your chapter outline and choose another chapter.

5. Model successful authors who rewrite and organize their ideas for impact.

Newbie writers tell me all the time, "I just write whatever comes to my head and there's no need to re-write. My editor will handle all that."

My response is always the same: It's o.k. to write whatever comes to mind when you are working on your first draft. The idea is go get the thoughts out of your head onto paper. For no one can express it quite like you. Oh sure, there are some better or worse writers but not exactly like you.

In fact, my advice is to avoid re-writing during your first draft. Concentrate on finishing each chapter then use your tracking time to self-edit: Check your ideas for flow, grammar, spelling, and chapter endings. Work on your chapter titles and lead in introductions.

I know this may not feel good to hear but its plain laziness if you don't work on making your copy the best it can be. Don't leave all the dirty work for your editor unless you really can't do any better.

Even so, nothing can happen until that first draft is completed. Procrastination is based on fear of failure. Countless book projects are stolen each year by procrastination. Don't allow procrastination to become a giant towering over your book dreams.

Then there are others who are not afraid but simply get bogged down with lack of focus and a plan. Develop the habits outlined above and you'll be surprised at what you accomplish. Write and complete your book faster and send it to market sooner!



Are you ready to get started writing your very own book? Go get my free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Book! You can get instant access to this ecourse and other Book Writing Coach tips at the http://www.writetowin.org web site From Earma Brown, 14 year author and book writing coach


Article Source: Artipot