You know you need to do it. You’ve had it on your to-do list for years. This is the year you must get your book in print. If only you could cover come your book-writing hurdle.
And yet…nothing.
It’s not that you don’t recognize the benefits, or that you don’t want to have a published book on your resume. You know that you are missing opportunities (and revenue) by not getting your book done.
You just struggle with it, and probably for the same reasons many other people resist publication.
You don’t have time
Here’s a biggie. Everyone is busy. We all get that. But that’s not a good excuse when it comes to book writing. Yes, it is a book-writing hurdle, but rather than lamenting your lack of time, you should be prioritizing your day to accommodate the important things, like writing your book. Maybe that means getting up 30 minutes earlier for a focused (if short) writing stint every morning, or turning off the television after dinner so you can write, or even setting aside several hours each Sunday morning until your book is done.
The point is, you must make this a priority. Block out the time in your calendar, and treat that time as sacred. Pretend it’s an appointment with your most important client, and do not allow anything to get in the way of keeping it.
You can’t write: Another book-writing hurdle
Many, many people claim they cannot write; yet when you look at their blogs, there are hundreds of posts. What it really means when people say they can’t write is that they don’t like to.
Luckily, you have plenty of options for overcoming this particular hurdle. Hire a ghostwriter. Start with PLR (private label rights). Repurpose your blog posts into a book. Book writing can be accomplished by many methods.
And if all else fails, speak. Use software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, or simply record using your favorite MP3 app and then have it transcribed.
You can’t organize a long project like a book
Ok, so you’re great with blog posts, and you don’t mind writing them, but the thought of writing an entire book makes you stare at your blank screen like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
First, if you can write a blog post, you can write an entire series of chapters. The process is all the same, after all. It’s just putting words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and so on.
But if you really feel you can’t manage a long project, then an outline is going to be your best friend. Start with a broad overview of your project, and then break it down by sections, then chapters.
Make notes about what you’ll cover in each, and then it’s just a matter of filling in the blanks.
There are dozens of reasons to take on book writing. It’s important for establishing your expertise, for growing your audience, and for solidifying your message. But none of that will happen if you don’t actually write your book. It’s time to get beyond your book-writing hurdle and get your book done.
Pat Iyer will take you by the hand and help you walk through each step of writing your book. Finally get your book done with her help. Don’t wait another day. Set up a time to talk with her by using this form.
