| 1> | | | | post almost daily on their blog end up with enough |
| Procrastination is the common denominator. So | | | | content to turn it into a book after time. But |
| how can an author overcome procrastination?.... In | | | | quantity isn’t enough, obviously. |
| Part I of this article, the common excuses | | | | The Defining Edge |
| would-be authors have about why they cannot | | | | I’m inclined to think that writers who can |
| get their book written were identified. | | | | synthesize and summarize concepts from reliable |
| Procrastination is the common denominator. So | | | | sources have an edge to completing a book. |
| how can an author overcome | | | | Those that can see the practical applications of |
| procrastination?Being curious by nature, we have | | | | theories and ideas to everyday work and life also |
| studied the small percentage of authors we have | | | | have an edge. When an author makes the |
| worked with who are successful in making | | | | connection from theoretical, abstract idea to |
| progress, writing on their blogs, organizing their | | | | practical advice for living and working, he or she |
| book content, and who are getting published. | | | | speaks to the reader, and what’s in it for |
| Profile of Successful Authors | | | | them. This connection breeds energy for the |
| Here’s the typical intellectual profile of a | | | | writer. When you write to deliver valuable content |
| successfully published author: 1. He/she writes | | | | to the reader you are no longer thinking about |
| almost daily on a blog. | | | | yourself and your excuses. |
| 2. S/he frequently writes about what other | | | | The Dirty Little SecretÂ… |
| experts are saying. | | | | Back to the title of this article series, The Dirty |
| 3. She is meticulous about citing sources. | | | | Little Secrets of Published AuthorsÂ…in my |
| 4. He sees the common thread in situations and | | | | opinion, those who succeed at finishing their books |
| content, and how that relates to real people. | | | | know that they don’t have to know |
| 5. She has a keen eye for synthesizing and | | | | everything. They use the ideas of other people, |
| summarizing concepts. | | | | look at them from a fresh perspective, and write |
| 6. He is able to see the practical application of | | | | in a clear voice that shows their passion. Are they |
| ideas in real world situations. I’m not sure | | | | original authors? Of course they are. They tell it |
| which of these characteristics are the most | | | | like it is, from their point of view. Those writers |
| important when it comes to turning writers into | | | | who believe that what they have to say is |
| published authors. This is not scientific research | | | | precious, original, and so important that it has to |
| but anecdotal in nature, so perhaps the list is | | | | be perfectly delivered, will stay mired in |
| incomplete. Maybe the defining difference is | | | | procrastination. Who can take a risk to make an |
| related to something else not on this list. When it | | | | error, when so much ego is wrapped up in their |
| comes to non-fiction books, most of our authors | | | | writing? |
| are not waiting for contracts from the big | | | | The pressure is too great, the fear of failure too |
| publishing houses. They are going the self-published | | | | real. Those writers who believe that they are |
| route or using print-on-demand. They will use their | | | | simply messengers who are able to organize and |
| books as marketing tools, for back-on-the-room | | | | synthesize concepts previously invented by other |
| sales, and for creating credibility for their services | | | | experts will have the edge. They will write, publish, |
| as consultants, speakers and other professionals. | | | | write, publish, and they will be heard and read. |
| It would be easy to say that those writers who | | | | |