HELP! I HAVE BEEN WRITING A BOOK FOR DONKEY’S YEARS AND I STILL CAN’T FINISH IT
“Coach Bright, I have been writing a book for years now, but I have not been able to finish it. I have two to three other manuscripts too. In fact, I have abandoned them for a while, but I guess I’d pick them up now that you have urged me to write and publish my book.”
I often get this kind of comments from participants at events where I speak as well as prospective clients. But the fact is, if you share the same complain with these people but don’t know the things I am about to discuss in this article, you would still have your book unpublished by the end of the year.
So, why exactly do people fail to finish writing their book and merely pile up manuscripts? And how can exactly can you move from the aspiring zone to become a published author in record time?
Having a book idea is never enough, neither is determination. So, what really works?
Come with me and get these secrets!
First, like many other aspiring authors, you did not state your objectives for writing from the beginning.
Why exactly do you want to write a book? If you don’t know, you’d barely get much done. Clarity is
key.
Do you want to impact people and leave a legacy? Do you want to be recognized as an expert and
thought leader? Do you want to become more famous and influential? Do you want to generate engagements for your business? Do you want to get more speaking opportunities? More income? More what? Name it!
It is purpose that fuels passion, and passion keeps you going. Besides, the objectives for which you write would help you measure your success after the book is published. So, state your objectives clearly from the very beginning. “I want to write this book because ...” “When this book is published, I will measure its success by ...”
Stating your objective is crucial, yet, is it any better if your objective is wrong?
Secondly, you are unclear about the value proposition of your book.
A lot of people who venture into writing a book merely fall into two love traps: the love of the idea of becoming an author, and the love of a fantastic title. Both of these are inordinate affections in the realm of book writing. They are just inadequate to achieve anything worthwhile.
Every great book solves a significant problem. It closes a knowledge gap for the reader. What’s yours about? What specific problem is it solving? What do your readers stand to gain by investing their money, time, and mental energy in reading it? Again, clarity is key.
Great authors write with a burden. In fact, they might see what they are writing about as their calling, so they don’t trifle with it. The burden keeps them on course.
Don’t just write for the sake of writing, write purposefully for your audience. This is what makes your book relevant – and read-worthy.
Thirdly, you did not count the cost from the beginning.
A book idea takes a life of its own after it is published; hence, birthing it is a project that requires proper planning and sacrifice. If you are in a hurry to start, you’d likely drop out along the way. Jesus’ advice to you is “sit down and count the cost.”
Consider your objectives for writing and the value proposition of your book idea, then ask yourself if you are ready to give it what it takes to deliver, else, why complicate and frustrate your life with an abandoned project?
Book writing requires time which you must create in spite of the busyness of your work routine. To write effectively, we at #ScribeTribe encourage to choose a specific time when your mind is sharp and a specific place that stirs your creative juice.
The writing process will also require separation from people. So, consider that too. Also, if you
do not have the chunk of money for publishing readily available, then start saving for it from day one, else, you will only have a manuscript rather than a book to your name without ‘village people interfering in your matter.’
For the sake of brevity, I will deal with this issue in series, so expect more posts on it.
Have you got any questions, feel free to ask. Any comments, please share them below.
To book a consultation time with me, please call 07080401080 or 08135373602.
To your greatness,
Bright UK
The Chief Scribe
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