Writing a book is a journey that requires dedication, discipline, and a clear process. Jeff Goins, a bestselling author, shares his insights and practical steps to help aspiring writers bring their ideas to fruition. Here’s a summary of his valuable advice:
Phase 1: Getting Started
- Decide What the Book is About: Writing starts with a clear idea. Summarize your book’s argument in a sentence, expand it to a paragraph, and then to a one-page outline. This helps in structuring your book effectively.
- Set a Daily Word Count Goal: Establish manageable daily writing goals. Consistency is more important than volume.
- Set a Time to Work on Your Book Every Day: Consistency fosters creativity. Have a fixed schedule for writing and stick to it.
- Write in the Same Place Every Time: Choose a specific place for writing to psychologically prepare yourself for the task.
Phase 2: Doing the Work
- Set a Total Word Count: Having a word count goal for the entire book helps in planning and pacing your writing.
- Give Yourself Weekly Deadlines: Set weekly goals and celebrate your progress while being aware of the amount of work left.
- Get Early Feedback: Share your work with trusted individuals for early feedback to ensure you’re on the right track.
Phase 3: Finishing
- Commit to Shipping: Finish your book and release it to the world. The goal is to complete and share your work, not just to start it.
- Embrace Failure: Be prepared for challenges and accept that perfection is elusive. The key is to keep going.
- Write Another Book: Your first book is a learning experience. Use it to improve and continue writing.
Bonus Tips for Continued Writing Success
- Write one chapter at a time to maintain focus and manageability.
- Consider starting with a shorter book or a collection of stories or poems.
- Start a blog to get feedback early and break up the writing process.
- Keep an inspiration list to fuel your creativity.
- Maintain a journal and use it as a resource for your writing.
- Deliver consistently, regardless of inspiration.
- Take frequent breaks to avoid burnout.
- Remove distractions to maintain focus.
- Write in environments where others are also working to boost motivation.
- Avoid editing as you go to maintain a smooth writing flow.
Conclusion
Writing a book is a complex process that involves more than just putting words on paper. It requires a structured approach, discipline, and a willingness to learn and improve. By following these steps and tips, you can navigate the challenges of writing and successfully complete your book.