| This brief article is the first in a series which | | | | you about it and give you feedback. The more |
| provide guidance for new authors. In addition, I | | | | you discuss it, the more fully you will develop it |
| hope it can also provide inspiration to experienced | | | | and see any gaps or inconsistencies in your |
| authors. With this first installment I will begin from | | | | writing. Great writers know and use the power of |
| the rejection pile, as it were: Things Not To Do. | | | | proofreading and critique to their benefit. |
| My reasoning is simple, if we can help you | | | | Myth 4. I have to know the entire book before I |
| eliminate some bad habits, maybe we can free | | | | start. From my experience, I know my content |
| your fingers so they can dance joyfully over the | | | | well, but I always leave open new ways for my |
| keyboard once again. Are you game? | | | | books to develop and evolve as I work through |
| Myth 1: Writing a book is like giving birth- one | | | | them. I have a vision and detailed outline for each |
| word at a time. Please let go, live free, and | | | | book, but I also weave in new insights, |
| anticipate that this will be the first of several, if | | | | experiences, and current events. And if your |
| not many books. Do not agonize over each word. | | | | books have characters in them, don't restrict their |
| Let yourself experience the process of writing, | | | | behavior before they come alive on the pages- |
| revising, writing, and revising. Because after | | | | allow them room to grow through your work! Let |
| months of careful planning and work you must | | | | that book outline and framework be flexible |
| realize that at a certain point you have to kick | | | | enough to improve as you breathe life into your |
| that book out of the nest and let it fly. | | | | book as th words spill from your fingertips, to the |
| Myth 2: Writing a book is ugly business. Enjoy the | | | | keyboard, onto the monitor. |
| writing and when you get stuck, no longer are | | | | Myth 5. Publishers are always correct. On the |
| enjoying it, or are otherwise bogged down, | | | | contrary, they are people! Read your contracts, |
| change your scene, write a different section, go | | | | be part of professional associations to know what |
| outside, or sing a song. You have hopefully elected | | | | the usual terms are and when you know your |
| this process of writing: enjoy it. It could be so | | | | content is right, stand up for it. There are scores |
| much worse-- imagine if you were digging | | | | of cases where publishers turned down books as |
| trenches with your bare hands. This is easy in | | | | "trash" which later became best sellers. |
| comparison! Change the pace to provide | | | | Print off these points, tape them next to your |
| freshness and vigor to your writing. For instance | | | | monitor, and let them inspire you to keep on |
| alternate between difficult, easy, creative, and | | | | moving through and enjoy your writing project. |
| menial tasks so that no single one dominates your | | | | Live your dreams of writing. Whether you are |
| day. | | | | writing 30 minutes a day or 10 hours, I urge you |
| Myth 3. Top Secret: Protect my work from the | | | | to overcome the 5 myths described above and |
| light of day. Quite the opposite, invite friends, | | | | discover the freedom of your voice, write to |
| family or colleagues to read your work and | | | | your audience, and enjoy the experience. |
| critique it. Discuss it with those who will talk to | | | | |