One of the most common issues people have in writing a book is the writing. People who can send out 100 Tweets, write 20 emails, and post to Facebook 15 times suddenly find it hard to write.
It’s not that it’s hard to write. It’s that you have it in your head that when you “write a book” it must be all proper and perfect. Let’s dispel that myth right now – you don’t need to be perfect just because you’re writing a book.
So how do you make it easy to write a book? Here are five tips for making it easier to write any kind of piece – from the cheap research papers to a novel.
1. Set realistic expectations
Too often we enter the “writing a book” mindset thinking that our first book is going to be a best-seller and we’ll suddenly be rich and famous. It could happen.
But it’s much more likely that you will publish your book. It will help a lot of people. You’ll gain credibility and more fame, doing what you already know how to do. And you’ll write your next book.
So now that the pressure of writing the next Best Seller is off, you can relax and just be you – imperfect as you are.
2. Write like you talk
Again you may be thinking that a book needs to be in formal, academic-type language. It’s just not so! You need to write like you talk. After all, if you were speaking the information to someone (your buyer for example) you wouldn’t suddenly become stilted and formal. Just be you.
3. Talk it onto paper
One of the most effective techniques many people use is to literally talk aloud as they type. If you don’t type fast, then just record your “writing” and have someone transcribe it. It’s the easiest way to be sure your writing both sounds like you and is readable.
4. Separate writing from editing
One of the biggest slow-downs that many authors experience is confusing the editing process with the writing process. Writing is just that – writing. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar or formatting. Just write.
If you have a hard time turning off your internal editor, then use a text processor that doesn’t allow you to identify spelling or grammar errors. Likewise you cannot boldface, use italics or use bullet points. You just write.
5. Keep writing
It’s tempting. You hit a blank spot in your thinking and just take a minute to check your email. But your email won’t help you finish your book.
Then you need to do some online research – and while you’re there take just a second to check Facebook. But Facebook won’t help you finish your book.
When you are writing, keep writing. Even if you hit a wall and don’t feel like you know what to write next, go ahead and keep writing. Write about the road block to your thinking and how it’s holding you up. Write about how much you want to get this book finished.
Regardless of what you write, keep writing. You can always go back and delete it from the book file later. But for now, keep writing. Over time you will write yourself right out of your slump.
As you follow these tips, remember that writing a book is only as hard as you decide it is.
Dr. Jeanette Cates is the author of multiple books and ebooks. You can follow her system for quickly getting your book published and selling.
