| Everyone wants to write a book. At least that's | | | | prepared you are the easier it will be to write |
| what they tell me when I introduce myself as a | | | | your book. |
| book writing coach. Yet, rarely do they follow | | | | 5. Plan of Action |
| through to write a book. It is just a magical | | | | It helps to have a plan of action for everything |
| dream, thought, or idea because there are | | | | you need to do to write a book. In addition to |
| hundreds of reasons why they can't do it. We | | | | number 2 The Plan, you need to identify the |
| know the reasons: no time; busy; don't know | | | | other tasks that need to be done such as |
| how; it's a giant step; my family needs me, and | | | | research, phone calling, people you need such as |
| so on. | | | | editors, coaches, publishing info, etc. Get a good |
| In our personal and business lives we know how | | | | book, or search the Internet, for a list of the |
| important it is to set goals to achieve our dreams. | | | | things you need to do to write your book. |
| When we want to write a book we have to use | | | | 6. Get a Mentor or Buddy |
| the same goal setting principles. If you want to | | | | Find a like-minded friend to help keep you on |
| become an author, a successful writer, you are | | | | target. Give him or her your PLAN and ask them |
| more apt to succeed if you have a plan. | | | | to remind you of your committed dates. Have |
| Author and motivational speaker, Brian Tracy, tells | | | | them encourage you while writing. Ask them to |
| us that, "Every single life only becomes great | | | | hold you accountable to your scheduled dates. |
| when the individual sets upon a goal or goals | | | | Better yet, find a mentor or writing coach that |
| which they really believe in, which they can really | | | | can guide and direct you during your book-writing |
| commit themselves to, which they can put their | | | | journey. |
| whole heart and soul into." | | | | 7. Take Action |
| This is the key: First believe, then commit, and | | | | Only YOU can complete your goal to write a |
| finally put your whole heart and soul into it. Are | | | | book. You have to go through all the obstacles in |
| you ready to begin? Do you have the passion? If | | | | your life to finish the book such as writer's block, |
| you answered, "Yes," then you can write a book! | | | | need more information, conflict for your time |
| Let's get started by using some goal setting | | | | from family and business, etc. No one can write |
| techniques to get you going. | | | | your book unless you hire a ghostwriter. Even |
| Here are the 7.5 goal setting tips you can use to | | | | then you must allow time to share your ideas, |
| help you write a book: | | | | concepts, and chapter ideas with him or her. Only |
| 1. The Dream | | | | you can make your dream come true. Only you |
| Identify your book idea. This is your expert topic | | | | know how important your book is to your clients. |
| that you know so well. This is your dream. Tell | | | | You know it will give them solutions to their |
| yourself right now, "I am writing a book about | | | | problems. You know it will give you the credibility |
| (name the topic)." | | | | you deserve. |
| 2. Clear Picture | | | | 7.5. Stay Up-to-Date |
| Can you visualize the content of your book? Start | | | | I added a half step to remind you that you need |
| writing down the chapter topic ideas. Don't worry | | | | to stay up-to-date on your writing skills and |
| about the order, just write them down. Keep on | | | | knowledge. Get some good reference books on |
| writing down your ideas so that you get the "big | | | | how to write a book proposal, how to find a |
| picture." Your dream should be much clearer to | | | | literary agent, how to self-publish (if that's your |
| you now. | | | | choice), and other materials you need to write a |
| 3. The Plan | | | | book. Attend a writer's retreat that fits your |
| Take your book idea and your chapter topics and | | | | writing category, meet authors and ask questions, |
| put them in an order that makes sense to you. | | | | and anything else that can keep you committed |
| Add anything else to your outline that can help | | | | to writing your great book. |
| make your book a reality. Can you visualize your | | | | You now have 7.5 ways to set writing goals to |
| book now? Is it becoming real to you? | | | | accomplish your dream to write a book. Can you |
| 4. Set Dates | | | | see now that writing a book deserves the same |
| Get your appointment book out and start | | | | type of attention needed to accomplish any goal? |
| reserving some time each week to write your | | | | Now, go back to Step 1 and take a baby step |
| great book. Even if it's only 20 minutes to start, | | | | and tell five friends that, "I am writing a book |
| write it down and reserve the time. You could | | | | about (your idea)." Now you are committed. |
| write a chapter a week if you set aside 60 | | | | Copyright 2008, Joan Clout-Kruse. All rights |
| minutes. In order for this to work you must have | | | | reserved. |
| developed your Plan in number 2. The more | | | | |