I love the words ‘I am writing a book,’ it sounds so much more positive than ‘I am going to write a book,’ don’t you think? Whether you opt for the I am or the I am going to, at some point, the reality kicks in, and procrastination looms large. You may, if you are the, I am going to type continue to think about it for another year.
If you are the I am type, are you one of those who is fired up by ideas? Will you rush off to write thousands of words? Will you run out of pen and puff and stop abruptly from pure creative exhaustion and tired fingers?
I have been known to have lots of projects on the go. I have been known to get very excited about these multiple projects. I have been known to start and never finish some great ideas. This is not a great way to get a book written.
Even the Angel of Inspiration couldn’t get me out of some of my creative flurries and scrapes.
When writing a book, what works is focussing on ONE THING. Just one book, one idea, one timeline, one everything, it makes writing a book so much easier. That’s not to say you can’t capture your ideas. However, capture and let them brew while you focus on the job at hand.
We are all different, and for some of us, it’s easy to find the time and space to get on with it. While others have family and work commitments and let them overrule your needs. Some get bored easily, and others need some variety, either way, there will be a way that works for you.
I believe that you have to understand yourself and your learning style before you can create the perfect writing plan. When you know you; you can work out your how.
Writing a book – some tips
- Organise your writing and life around each other. Get out your calendar and book dedicated writing time. Stop whatever else you are doing 15 minutes before you are due to start writing. Grab a cuppa or some water and remind your near and dear ones that this is your writing time. Tell them how long you need (add in 20%) and make sure you stop and pay them attention before they come and interrupt you. Do things in chunks – a bit of writing and a bit of life.
- Create a week by week plan. A monthly plan may be too far out, chunk your calendar down into manageable time slots. Review weekly. Be mindful not to fill your empty diary with other stuff.
- Put milestones in your diary. If you can see what your milestones are then your weekly planning, with interruptions included, you will be more likely to stay on track.
- Find out what your working habits are. If you have figured out a way of working that works for you, stick with it. If I get stuck, I think about how I’ve done something else, and then I model that behaviour.
- Make the plan suit you. If someone else gives you a plan and it causes grief, consider how you could amend it to suit. Remember that the plan you were provided with has been tried and tested, so at least take some of it on board.
- Work on one thing. What I mean by that is, do the outline – one thing. Write a test chapter – one thing. Test your chapter framework – one thing. Write to first draft – one thing. When you edit, pick one editing task to focus on.
- Take lots of breaks. Stop, reflect and then come back. If you force your writing, then it becomes a chore. Taking time to reflect will mean that you will write a better book.
- Write first thing in the morning. Do your writing before anything else and then it’s done, isn’t it? Get up an hour earlier – it’s not forever, and you may just enjoy the beauty of early mornings.
- Create your perfect writing space. I have many spaces to write in. What they have in common is how it feels to write there. Sometimes it’s the kitchen table, other times it’s the sofa in my cwtchy lounge or the day bed near my terrace. I am a woman of moods, and I love to be able to get comfy in one of my perfect writing spaces.
The most important single piece of advice I can give you is ‘know yourself.’ When you know you, you can work out how you like to work and in that way you will get it written. If you know you are a procrastinator, get a writing buddy or a book writing coach. If you can’t find space or time to write, book a writing retreat, or write in a cafe or hotel. If being interrupted by your family drives you insane, make sure they understand what this book and your writing time means to you.
There is always a way to manage a book writing project; you just need to think it through.
PS: Remember to change I am going to write a book to I AM WRITING MY BOOK
