November is all about FAST Writing. Whether you are on the Novel side or Non-fiction, YES, you too can write a book in 30 days. Now with that said, it doesn’t meant that it’s going to be polished, ready for the editor. What it means is that you have a first draft—and it means that you should be doing the Happy Author Dance. You did it. Here are 6 steps to surround yourself with if you are ready to take the mighty Write a Novel in 30 Days or Write a Non-fiction Book in 30 Days.
1. Get FOCUSED pronto … do one final swoop via Google of any last minute info on your topic that has been posted in the past few months. Then stop—leave the Internet alone … you have hunted and gathered.. now you are going to sort and identify key topics that will become your chapters. Only at the end of the 30 days will you come back to do a final check for any late breaking news/studies, etc.
Outside noise—from doing your love of the Garage Sale Saturday adventure to playing hooky for a weekend to diving to a thriller you have been dying to chew over is allowed. Think of an almost isolation—your loved ones can bring you food and drink—but stay out. You are the Author at Work … DO Not Cross into My Space!
2. Create a STORYBOARD that includes Who your readers is; what Value your book will bring; identifies what the Pain is that the reader feels; identifies the scope of the Problem; identifies/reveals what the Causes and Effects are to the reader; and of course delivers the secret sauce—the Solution(s). Include what the key Activities you will include—quizzes, tips, etc.—what? Add your working title to the mix; what your own muse is that will keep you motivated and last, but never least—what your Dump Zone factors are. What are the no-nos that you need to stay away form so that you can stay focused?
When I teach my How to Write a Book in 4 Weeks, this is a critical element of the first week where all participants get their Story Boards and start working on them. The visual they get is ideal to quickly see where the holes are.
3. Start sorting into PILES all those articles that you’ve been saving/storing/ripping out of magazines—do this by printing them out. YES, print … them … out. I’m a huge fan of getting the visual going here.
I don’t care where you spread it—a huge table, a floor—just spread out. Build your piles—the larger ones will most likely be chapters. Get your highlighter out. If some of the articles can cross over to another pile—copy it and drop in. This could take a few hours—a few days. But it’s the essential element in getting you off and running. Do you see any patterns?
4. Find a spot that you can get to your Piles quickly. One that others don’t get their hands on. It’s do not cross into my space “people”.
5. START writing. Pick up of your Piles, get them organized and start writing—either dictating, keyboard or by hand. But START and save into individual files on your computer. Don’t mix it up as one document. Don’t worry that you may not be writing “in order”—you are developing a puzzle and all the pieces will come together—you just need to create them. Your Contents page will be one of the last things you finalized as you complete the chapters. Don’t feel that you need to start writing with a completed outline … just start writing.
6. Remember—participating in a 30 Day Write a Book marathon creates your first DRAFT. Now … you start fine tuning … Does it flow? Does it address the Pain—offer Solutions? You are now ready for the next step … that’s all the tweaking; the adds for call-outs, illustrations, quotes, tips, etc. Then, of course, editing—ruthless editing.
Join me for my next series of How to Write a Book in 30 Days in March … either IN PERSON in Denver or in the REMOTE sessions. Several of the participants in the July and August classes will have there completed, edited, layed out, printed books in hand by November 1st. Loving it!
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.
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