"Mythology teaches you what’s behind literature and the arts, it teaches you about your own life. It’s a great, exciting, life-nourishing subject." – Joseph Campbell.
I love Joseph Campbell. Years ago, I had a sweatshirt that had one of his most famous quotes, “Follow Your Bliss” emblazoned on the front. Mythology is important, and so is Campbell’s work but believing myths about the writing process can be more problematic.
For example, recently, I came across an offer that promised takers that they could write a book in 2 weeks. I thought, they might be able to write one, but it won’t be worth reading. A short book, maybe, a traditional non-fiction book, no.
I once wrote 50,000 words in 3 weeks for a book deadline, but I would not recommend it. And I’m a professional. I’ve written eight non-fiction books for publishers such as Penguin Random House, Inner Traditions/S & S and Quarto, one of the world’s largest illustrated book publishers. My book with noted holistic doctor Jacob Teitelbaum, MD was a Quarto bestseller with 50K copies sold. I’ve written a four-novel series for Gallery/Pocket. As an author, editor and book coach, I’ve seen the written page from both sides.
Knowing What to Write & How to Write it
Here, specifically, I’m thinking about self-help, how to, or what’s known as a prescriptive nonfiction, which is what I specialize in and means giving readers solutions to problems, think Self-Help, Loving What is, and The Tools. But it would be difficult to produce any book that works without a thoughtful, step by step approach. In other words, you need to know what you want to write, and how to write it.
Believing in the myth that you can speed write a good book, can make you get down on yourself if you can’t. These myths can lead to problems too, because you won’t have a solid foundation before you start writing:
• You don’t need a clear idea to begin writing your nonfiction self-help book. No worries, Just wing it, you’ll figure it out. (You might but it will take much longer).
• You don’t need an approach, method, plan or effective practices to write your book. Readers only need a general idea of what the problem is and how you can help them fix it.
• You don’t need a structure to write your book. Just plug in the info, it doesn’t matter what order or container you use.
• You don’t need to know your audience. The more readers, the better, right?
• You don’t need to take readers on a transformational journey. Give them an idea of what they can change but go light on the specifics. Let them find their own way.
Build A Foundation to Write Your Best Book
Wrong on all counts. Paying attention to these elements is important BEFORE you begin writing. Otherwise, you can have trouble getting started, get stuck in the middle, have trouble finishing or write in circles without making progress. Having a roadmap makes the writing process faster and easier. You’ll have a road map and know where you want to go.
One other thing. Writing a book isn’t done in a vacuum. Most people want to bring it to the wider world. This means you’ll also need to decide if you want to go for the traditional publishing route which means writing a book proposal and submitting it to an agent or publisher or self-publish.
Although, for some people, even if they’re self-publishing, creating a book proposal, which is a marketing document that writers use to sell their book to an agent or a publisher can help provide clarity about the book you want to write. In a book proposal, you cover all the elements I’ve mentioned above including a marketing section, comparable titles, a sample chapter and more.
Why Not Start Today?
You can start writing your book today by brainstorming ideas, mulling them over, and deciding on an idea you feel excited about. Next, gather resources and make notes about what you want to include under that umbrella, things like the method or plan you use with clients or patients that’s getting great results or an approach that you really believe it.
Anything worth doing can be difficult, from climbing a mountain to starting a business, raising kids or writing a book. Truth is stranger than fiction but it’s also more powerful than believing in the myths about book writing. There’s no easy way, but there’s an easier way. Plan your trip (idea, method, structure) so you don’t drive in circles, get in your car (sit down at the computer) and travel to your destination (finish your book.)
Until Next Time!
Contact me when you’re ready if you need:
1. A book coach to be your editorial guide, support and project manager as you write or re-write your book and/or book proposal.
2. A manuscript evaluation for a big picture, smallest detail overview.
3. A developmental editor to structure your book, and make the text clear, concise, and reader friendly.
4. If you’d like a free copy of my PDF: Is it a Book? The Ten Step Roadmap to Writing Your Best Book sign up for my e-mail list at www.chrystlefiedlerbookcoaching.com.
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