Tips to Write Your Book

As an author, I’m often asked for tips for how to write your book. My approach may provide some guidance for future authors.

I think of how to write your book, much like I do any workplace performance challenge. I break things down into actionable steps, as a way to make sure your words make it to the page and don’t get stuck in your mind. Consider these tips to get you started:

Consider a Non-Traditional Approach

I decided that self-publishing best fit my need for control of the book as well as the ability to get it to the marketplace quickly. While I’m not bad mouthing the big publishers, I realize they’re probably looking for the next John Grisham, not the first Ken Okel. While, I’m happy with sales in the thousands, publishers likely want millions.

I used what’s now known as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. It’s one of several self-publishing services that allow you to get a high quality book produced with as much or as little technical support as needed.

This option also did not force me to contractually fill my home with thousands of books that I’d be responsible for selling. I was able to buy what I needed. If someone wanted to buy the book online, then Kindle Direct Publishing would be responsible for fulfilling and shipping the order. Also, I could order more copies at a later time.

Have a Vision

While I didn’t want a publisher to decide the kind of book I was going to create, I did spend a lot of time studying similar books. I considered what I liked and didn’t like about them. This is your market research.

This process can help you narrow the vision for your book. Anything that doesn’t fit that vision should be put aside and saved for your next book.

I realized that my market is made up of busy people so I decided my book would be an A to Z guide to productivity, where each letter would represent a chapter and a productivity principle.

I structured the book so that it could be read in any order. It would be easy for someone to pick up the book, read a chapter, and then put it down. They could read the whole thing in order or they could randomly select a chapter.

I made this decision after hearing that many people never finish the books they start. Understand if your best material is at the end, it may never be read. Why not play to the fact that people are busy.

Think of Your Material

Many of my chapters started as blog posts, evolved into podcasts, and were later reworked again as magazine articles, or as part of speaking presentations. Each time, the content improved and became more focused.

I also discovered certain writing habits that could be annoying to readers. In an article, you can get away with using certain kinds of catch phrases. In a book, if a lot of chapters have those same kinds of phrases, then they can become annoying in their repetition.

Take a Writing Retreat

During the end of the year holidays, I knew it was the right time for my writing retreat, the time when I would do the bulk of my writing. I had seen family during the Thanksgiving break and had no visits on my calendar.

While I didn’t leave town, I left my normal routine. For about two weeks, I was on a literary lock down. I only went out to exercise and get food. Otherwise, I was working on the book. Distractions, like social media, were severely curtailed.

I may not look fondly back on those busy days but it was the right formula for me to get the job done. I needed the isolation from the rest of the world.

There’s no one way to hold your writing retreat. Some will check into a nearby hotel for the weekend. Others will write daily, early in the morning, so they can avoid family distractions.

Get Experts When Needed

As a former journalist, I was confident in my writing ability. You may need an editor to help you write your book.

I did realize that when you write 26 chapters, there could be some problems. A typo, an incorrect verb tense, or an awkward sentence structure can easily occur.

The challenge is when you’re writing, you’re often too close to the material to notice its flaws. You’ll have several versions in your mind and that keeps you from noticing problems, especially those created by repeated editing. That’s why I hired a freelancer to proofread the book.

All of this was done virtually. My proofreader lives in California. She did a great job of fixing little problems.

I also hired a freelancer to help me create the book’s cover. I had the idea but needed someone to make it look better than a sketch on a cocktail napkin. I knew that while I have some expertise in design, it would take me a long time to make something really good. And my best might be a professional’s average.

For the cover, I found a great resource in Sri Lanka. Even with the time difference, we easily collaborated.

The final member of my team, was someone who was able to take my book and format it for a Kindle. Again, I have some skill in this area but though it best to let the pro handle the task. Time, especially when you’re trying to be creative, is an important resource.

Have a Goal But Be Flexible

While I had a timeline, I knew there was good chance that I might fall behind on the project. In the end I probably had the finished product in my hands about two and a half weeks later than I expected.

In the big picture that’s not bad. When you do things for the first time, you may make mistakes or have to experience a learning curve.

Very often, the extra time paid off. Prior to publishing, I had a proof sent to me. Holding the book, as it will appear to readers, let’s you check it in different ways that you don’t get staring at a computer screen.

I didn’t expect to have to go through my book page by page, one last time, but I’m glad that I did.

Final Thought on How to Write Your Book

My system provided me with the motivation and support necessary to write a book. With some minor adjustments ,it would work for me again. I’m proud that I didn’t become the person who dreams of writing a book but never writes it.