Book Writing Strategies From a Pro
As book coach and author I’ve found several patterns of how we talk ourselves out of writing the book - how we kill our creative process. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing the next best self-help book, the guide to creating a million-dollar business, or an epic sci-fi fantasy western — you're using the creative process. You might be a coach or consult writing a book to open the gateway to speaking engagements or corporate consulting. You might not think you're being creative, but you are. And you need to keep your CREATIVE spirit fed.
These THREE things kill that creativity in a snap.
ONE - Self-doubt, aka Fear of Failure. The mean voices in your head, the ones that say: “You can’t do this.” “You suck.” “No one is going to read this crap.” “What makes you the expert? So and so does it better.”
TWO - Perfectionism. Do you sit at the keyboard and look for every perfect word, phrase, and piece of punctuation? Do you think about what you’re going to write, plan it out in a detailed outline not like it, then start over? Do you ask everyone you know for their opinion before you start writing?
THREE - Not inspired. Do you feel blah when you think about what you will write? When the idea of writing pops into your head, do you shift to something else? Do you have your calendar so that you have no self-care or quiet time?
Guess what? You’re normal!
I have three easy solutions for you which will help you WRITE you BOOK
SELF DOUBT - FEAR OF FAILURE: Journal for ten minutes daily (by hand with a pen and paper). Do this in the morning, when the house is quiet, or before bed. You will shift your mind by first writing down your fears about writing your book. Go ahead and list them out. You only have to do this part once — on the first day. The next step is to flip those fears. Then, spend ten minutes HAND WRITING out the flipped script. This is putting the new you, the new thoughts into your head, and you can begin to quiet those mean voices that tell you you’re no good.
And I mean writing by hand with a pen. This is a tactile exercise that is reteaching your brain to think positively about you. The words must flow from your brain to your heart and out the pen.
PEFECTIONISM: No one is perfect. No writer is perfect. If you wait for the perfect words to come to you, you’ll never write. So get over yourself. Suck it up and just start. It sounds mean, I know.
A solution to this problem I give to my clients, is write the LAST chapter FIRST. Don’t worry if you misspell a word or your grammar is bad, write the ending first. This will give you a point to aim for and get the creative juices flowing.
Also, get that journal out and keep FLIPPING THAT SCRIPT until you believe it.
GET INSPIRED: The best way to get inspired is by doing what I call BOREDOM. I don’t mean sitting around staring at the wall, sucking your thumb. I mean, do something that requires NO BRAIN power at all. Let your mind rest. That can mean a walk without distraction, running on the treadmill, vacuuming your entire house, or going for a drive or bike ride. It means turning off your devices and disconnecting.
And then, go. Don’t have an agenda. You will be surprised at what happens next. You're on your way to WRITING YOUR BOOK. All it takes is for you to get started and to not doubt yourself.
I created the 90 DAY Writer's Journal to help you through the writing process. These little journals have enough space for you to write your daily affirmations, brainstorm, and write what inspired you.
Still thinking about writing your book or struggling with the idea? I created a guide just for you: 5 Steps to Writing a Book That Generates Income, Clients and Influence. All you have to do to get your free copy is click on the button below.
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