Book-Writing Dreams

Is this the year you’re going to realize your book-writing dreams and get your book started? Finished? Revised? Published?

Let’s make that happen! First, however, you’re going to have to get out of your own way. Since how we undermine ourselves changes depending on the circumstances, let’s figure out how you can claim your book-writing dreams during each phase of the book-writing process, starting with cranking out a rough draft.

Need to Start Writing Your Book?

Why do so many people think that fully polished books pour out of authors? I’m here to tell you they don’t. Every author works in fits and starts. Every author writes passages that can be polished into brilliance and others that no amount of polishing can help. That’s part of the book-writing process. So don’t worry about those first few pages, especially since I can almost guarantee you they’re going to change. In fact, instead of telling yourself that you’re writing your book, plan to start working on the pre-book.

What’s that?

The pre-book is your book’s foundation, where you noodle ideas, flesh out the people in your book, make your arguments and organize your research if you’re writing nonfiction, or play with a few scenes if you’re penning a novel. The pre-book can also include writing a sloppy letter to me or anyone else, in which you talk about what you’re trying to accomplish and why your book matters. This sloppy letter can extend for pages and pages for you nonfiction writers and take months to write. In the end, you’ll have not only found your voice, but you will also have likely written a good portion of your rough draft.

Either way, calendar those writing times and then sit yourself down and adhere to them. I can assure you that you won’t ever get around to working on your book if you haven’t time-blocked. Can’t find any free time? Then you may have to trade some of your current activities in favor of book-writing for now. If you don’t want to do that, ask yourself if writing your book is a priority right now.

Need to Finish Your Book?

Life happens. You’re on a roll, then something pops up to disturb the momentum, and suddenly your writing seems to be on terminal hold. What to do?

For starters, block out time for your writing at least once or twice a week. If the words don’t come, maybe you wind up re-reading the pages you’ve already written to get your head back in the game. Perhaps you dive into some active background reading to spark a few ideas. Maybe you try your hand at another sloppy letter to figure out where you’re going next. It’s all good. And despite what others will tell you, it’s all part of the writing process. Simply re-engaging with your project will take you halfway there since that will kick your subconscious back into gear.

If you’re still stalled, consider finding someone you can brainstorm with, who will also hold you accountable. That can be a writing coach like me, a writing buddy or a writing group. Just make sure they’re going to support you. The last thing you need is someone who’s going to stroke their ego by bashing your work.

Need to Revise Your Book?

If you’ve completed a first or even second draft, you may well be wondering whether what you’ve written is worthy or a piece of crap. At a certain point, you no longer know. I know that sounds crazy, but after all those months of immersing yourself in your project, it’s almost impossible not to lose perspective. You can no longer tell if there are holes, if the ideas track or if the manuscript is engaging.

That’s when you want to bring in someone to critique your work. I’m not talking about a thumbs-up-or-down evaluation here. I’m talking about a thorough assessment of what works in your draft, what doesn’t, and what needs to be done. By definition, this critique will be subjective. You may agree with it, or you may not. Either way, your reactions will help you decide what you need to revise and how to go about that.

No matter where you are in the book-writing process, here’s to you and to realizing your book-writing dreams in 2021.