Earma Brown asked:
Many speakers, consultants, small business owners alike feel confident with communicating their message orally. They can spout their elevator speech with the accuracy of a scientist. But when it comes to putting it on paper, some grown men & women end up crying like a baby. It’s not hard once you know exactly what to do. I promise; its not. Here’s what successful writers do.
Successful writers set up a system of writing. Destroy these myths and setup your system of writing in 5 easy steps.
MYTH 1 It’s too hard. First things first, as we did in an earlier chapter overcome fear of failure or procrastination. Most times the bottom line of procrastination is fear of failure.
TRUTH: You can act now. Select step one of a good writing program and begin today. Or simply sign-up for an easy course. Action will destroy fear. Each successful step of your system will deal a death blow to fear.
MYTH 2 I have to get away from everything to write a successful book. No you don’t. I know several novelist and non-fiction book writers who had to write during a long commute to get their best book written and out to the world. They accomplished it because they systematically worked on their book until it was done.
TRUTH: You can always avoid marathon writing. In the midst of your busy life, designate your time to write (work on your book) with a goal to completion. (reasonable time to completion)
MYTH 3 I can’t keep up with where I am after interruptions of life. It is a common challenge to find your place after being interrupted with family, work and daily life. After all that’s why many think you must get away to get it done effectively. Yet, there’s hope for those who can’t get away or choose not to. Successful writers all over the world use the tracking approach. They succeed because they commit to doing a little each day.
TRUTH: Set yourself up for success use the tracking approach. There are 2 methods you could use for your tracking. Time is the method where you commit to a writing a certain amount of time each day. With the cumulative factor involved your commitment doesn’t have to be that much.
For example, to accomplish my book writing goals I commit to writing one hour a day in my most productive time. For me it is right after my meditation and reading time. With this method don’t be overly concerned about how much you write, just keep the time commitment.
The other method is focused on output. Commit to writing a certain number of words or pages a day, perhaps 750-1,000 words or approximately three and a half pages double-spaced text. The key factor is to stick to it until completion.
Winner’s Note: You may ask how do I get started after interruptions or even in my daily allotted slot so that I don’t spend a lot of time re-locating where I stopped? Start your daily writing session by re-reading the last words you wrote the day before. This will get you back in the flow.
The continued cycle of review will create a momentum that will keep you going to completion. Another piece of advice, is to create a support system that will help isolate you from telephone calls and interruptions during your daily Tracking Session.
MYTH 4 I have to complete each chapter in order. (Buzzer Sound!) Wrong answer. It’s called linear writing. You don’t have to write each chapter one after the other. For if you get stuck on chapter two, 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.
TRUTH: Don’t become chained to writing in order. Jump around and fill in the blanks. Review your chapters and whatever subject or topic you most drawn to, begin there.
MYTH 5 I am stuck. I have to stop writing until I feel it again. 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. If you have been following this program, you have listed main points for each chapter. Select a topic from that chapter and begin there.
TRUTH: To maintain your momentum keep your writing commitments. Go around writer’s block by working on another chapter. For example, while writing this book in one of my writing sessions, I wanted to finish my fourth chapter on titles but I ran into a writer’s block. Instead of breaking my momentum, I came down to chapter eight about easy writing and began there. I was able to complete my time commitment of one hour and keep my momentum.
Writing a book is a journey. Most journeys go so much smoother with a map or travel plan. Taking the simple steps above will get you started and keep you going to completion. Start today then complete and release your significant message to the world.