|
home >
writing help > Get
It Down > Getting Started With Writing
Keywords: writer, writing, writing a book, write a book, book ideas.
So you have been thinking about writing a book,
perhaps for a long time. Maybe you have selected your title
or topic. Perhaps
you have a drawer or file folder full of your writing
and a head full of book ideas. Reminds me of a
story.
A brain surgeon met a best-selling author at a cocktail party.
The brain surgeon said to the author, “When I retire I want
to be a writer.” At which point the author replied, “When
I retire I want to be a brain surgeon.”
The most common excuse that people use for not writing yet is that
they can't find time to
write. The amazing thing about writing about something that
is important to you is that it gives you more time. “What?” you may say. “That is ridiculous!” But it isn’t.
I was “getting around to” writing
my first book for seven years! I never had enough time, enough information,
and perhaps even enough confidence. The time was never right. My
close friends had stopped asking me how my book writing
was going because they knew by now that I would say that I was still
working on it. I wasn’t. I was only thinking about working
on it. Just like you.
I was very busy, too busy to be a writer. I was
raising three daughters, had a full time job and a big house to
mange on my own. I was overworked and exhausted all the time. Who
had the time or energy to write a book? And I hated my job!
One day I was so angry at the way things were going at work that
I could not sleep. As usual, I had fallen into bed, exhausted at
about nine p.m. But I couldn’t sleep. I was too angry. So
I got up, went to the computer and started writing
about how angry I was. At three o'clock in the morning, I was still
writing. I had the entire outline for my book, and even a good start
on the first chapter. Wow! But I wondered where I would get the
energy for work the next day.
Surprise of surprises, after only three hours of sleep, I had
more energy than ever. I attacked work with renewed vigor, and my
troubles seemed considerably less formidable.
There is always enough time for writing a book.
Always, and that means right now. The only way to start writing
is to start writing, not next year, not next week,
not after you retire, but right now.
When we hold off on doing something we love, on fulfilling our
writing purpose, we suppress
our energy and consequently, have less passion for everything else.
We become angry people leading frustrated lives or, at best, lukewarm
people leading tepid lives.
To get started writing a book, you have to get
started. Create a writing
plan. Pick a time each day and write. Don’t worry about
quality -- just write. Remember these nine words, and commit them
to memory.
First drafts are for getting down, not getting good!
Start writing today. If you are worried about
what to write, check out our article on where
to start, but the only way to get started writing your
book is to get started. Write, write, write and write and
write. If you feel you need an outline
first, check out our article on that. But trust me, you need nothing
to start but yourself, a pen and paper and the decision to do it.
There is no other solution. Just pick a time each day and start
writing. Before you know it, your book will start to emerge.
Book Coach Press helps writers become published authors.
Our products and services
provide writing help that guides you from book ideas right through
to publication. We offer hassle-free, top quality manuscript evaluations,
writing advice, copy editing, book cover design, book formatting,
and publishing. We help you write a book that makes you proud and
makes a difference.
>> Click here for our list
of products and services.
>> Give us a call and reserve a
consultation with us so we can inspire you, get your book ideas
clear and move your book-writing forward today!
>> Read our success
stories or take a gander at some of our testimonials.
|
