10 Quick Tips to Get Started Writing Your Book
by Lisa Tener
Writing a book can open all kinds of doors—from reaching more people with your message, to growing your business, to meeting like-minded inspirational colleagues, to the satisfaction of fulfilling a lifelong dream. Yet, if you’re like most people, you’ve put it off—or started and stopped—for years.
People put off writing their books for a number of reasons:
- Can’t find the time
- Not sure what to write
- Afraid of success or failure
- Not sure where to start
- Don’t have the support to see it through to the end
- Not a good enough writer
Here are 10 Quick Tips to Get Started that address each of the challenges above.
- Write your vision and goals for the book’s results—both for your readers and for you.
- Envision your readers and get a clear picture of who your core audience is.
- Decide what you’ll give up so you can find time in your busy life for this book.
- Prioritize your writing with all the other important things you must do.
- Schedule specifically by writing in your calendar the exact times you’ll write.
- Get professional support to guide you—editing, courses or coaching can all help with writing the right book and writing it well.
- Treat it as a learning process to help break through potential blocks.
- Get organized by structuring and outlining your book before you start writing (color coded index cards can help).
- Enjoy the process, since, if you have fun writing, your readers will enjoy reading.
- Start with the end in mind, envisioning your future to pave the way with ease.
National book writing coach Lisa Tener helps authors write their nonfiction/how-to books and get published. Her clients have been featured on Oprah, CBS Early Show, Good Morning America and more. Lisa serves on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School CME publishing course. Lisa works with private clients and also teaches an 8 week book writing course by teleseminar and in person in Rhode Island.
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