Wherever you are on your book writing adventure, you’ll find what you need here…
What to do if you’re just starting out on your Author Adventure: planning, preparation, and dealing with your Inner Dickhead
If you want to write your book, you need to build a good writing habit or you'll never manage it.
What are you struggling with? What feels horrible?
What if, instead of saying you'll write 500 words a morning, all you have to do is make a cup of tea, open your document, and scribble down what you're going to do next?
Make it easy and make it attractive.
It's up to us to persuade the right people that our books are worth investing in.
Nobody else is going to do it for us – and that's a really cool position to be in because it means we're in charge of our own destiny. We get to make our own successes (and failures) without relying on (or blaming) others.
We think that unless we can make giant leaps forward and see enormous and sudden improvements in what we're doing, we're not doing anything.
It's hard to keep going when keeping going is hard (and boring).
You are not your business. You are not your art.
Take the criticism. Allow the reaction. Then examine it carefully.
Is there a lesson you can learn and use to improve? Take it.
One of the best books I’ve read on how to beat resistance and procrastination is The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield. Here's my review...
Have you ever read something that, when you think about it later, is obvious – but at the time, it blows your mind?
Next time you know you have a chunk of work to do – or if you're writing your book and struggling to set aside a chunk of time – book yourself a long train journey. Find some cheap first-class tickets to anywhere and settle in.
Maybe it's the constant background white noise. The clacks and clatters as the train rolls over joints in the track.
Possibly it's the gentle rolling motion as we munch through the miles.
Two questions get fired at me often:
How can I become a better writer?
What books do you recommend I read to get better at marketing my business?
My answer to the first question is: write. Write every day and don’t worry too much if what you write is sometimes crap. You’ll get better.
Write. Edit. Improve. Repeat.
And read everything you can get your hands on, good and bad.
The thing about tiny beetle steps is, eventually they add up to great big leaps.
We get hung up on the great big leaps. We strive for massive improvements, to become an overnight success, and wish for miracles to happen fast.
If you make a mistake, people will forgive you, especially if you put it right. If you make a mistake and then disappear, you'll be considered a douchecanoe.
Ever look at those snazzy business owners in your inbox and on the internet and wonder how on earth they come up with all their stories, emails, articles, and podcasts? Wonder no more—you can do that too. The secret is simple: be fascinated by everything.
The reason we fail to make the changes we want and achieve the results we desire isn't willpower or laziness or lack of ability; it's because what we're trying to do is at odds with who we believe we really are.
