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Written by Earma Brown   
Wednesday, 19 November 2008

10 Book Writing Mistakes That Stop Your Dream In Its Tracks, Part 1

Invest time to learn about book writing...

Did you start writing your book and quit? Yes, I know you're not a quitter. Like many of us, you may be making some simple mistakes that block your book's progress and success. Correct the following mistakes; complete your book and prosper:

Mistake 1: Failure to start small

Inexperienced book writers aim too high. Don't try to fit everything you know or researched into a one big book. Plan too big and you may end up with a monster book that turns your potential readers off. Remember many people in the new millennium are busy and impatient. They look for short, quick easy reads.

Solution: Plan a short book first. If you have loads of interesting information, consider breaking your book into parts. Even a series of books is better than one large volume in the non-fiction genre.

Mistake 2: Failure to educate oneself about book writing

Many novice book writers fail to educate themselves about book writing. If you've never traveled this road before, enroll in a book writing course. If you have little time, sign up for an email course to jumpstart your writing. Invest in your book project by hiring a professional editor to edit your work.

Solution: Invest time to learn about book writing. A client of mine said, "I want to invest in my work but I have no budget to start with." No worries; more book writers than you know have started with a low to no-string budget. Enroll in free book writing courses. Invest time in learning to self-edit your work until you can afford to hire a professional.

Mistake 3: Failure to target your audience

If you fail to pinpoint who you are writing for, your chapters will lack focus. Your copy will fail to connect with readers. If you do manage to hook your readers, most won't make it to the end of your book. Beginning writers who make this mistake bore their readers with flat, lack luster writing.

Solution: Target your book audience. Create a profile of your reader. Write down their complaints, their needs and/or problems that your book solves. Write your book to that person. You will have tight focused copy that compels your reader to keep reading to the end.

 

Mistake 4: Failure to develop a sizzling title and back cover first

Most newbie book writers stall at this one. They don't realize a hot title helps the author stay motivated. Writing the back cover first helps crystallize your book's message. With a clear message in front, you can write compelling copy that draws your readers to keep reading.

Solution: Develop a hot title and back cover first to write tight focused copy that sells. A hot title includes the top benefit of the book. It is usually short, clear and/or tells a story.

Mistake 5 Failure to keep writing in the midst of everyday life

Many writers believe you have to get away from everything to write a successful book. No you don’t. I know several novelist and non-fiction book writers who had to write during a long commute to get their best book written and out to the world. They accomplished it because they systematically worked on their book until it was done.
Solution: Avoid marathon writing. In the midst of your busy life, designate your time to write (work on your book) with a goal to completion.

You may not be making all of these mistakes. Yet one or two will stop your book dream in its tracks. Your audience is waiting. Implement the above solutions, get your book written, release it to the world and prosper.

 

© Earma Brown, 13 year author and business owner helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Author of “Write Your Best Book Now”, she mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe” at http://www.writetowin.org . Subscribe now at
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Comments
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James Bullock   |96.255.96.xxx |2008-11-30 15:14:28
I want to write a book but don't know how to start. I would appreciate your
help.
Anonymous  - How to Write a Book Help   |172.165.127.xxx |2008-12-31 21:32:31
Write down any ideas that spark into your mind. I always have about a
hundred story ideas running around in my brain by the end of the week.
Observation is a key thing. If you hear something said, or you wish something
to happen in some way, you can write that down and adapt it. It'll also help
immensely if you read. Find a genre you like(action, fantasy, suspense,
mystery). And, this is important, pay attention in English class! (Or get a
book on grammar or something!) If you can't write orderly and neatly, no one
will read your book because no one will be able to tell where one thing ends and
another begins.i know, it's boring, but you have to know it whether you like it
or not. But i believe everyone has potential. So write down those
ideas. Keep a diary to get you started: journal about how bland your lunch was
or how much it sucks to be sick and miss the party. Just write. That's key. If
you only g...
Katarina  - ideas!   |163.6.65.xxx |2009-01-12 16:20:14
First you'll need to think of a book idea and plot, and not always the first
thing that pops into your head! Take time to really think thigns through, ask
yourself, is this a story I can stay with to the end? Develop everything, and
then, with determination, get started! I'd do an outline first, to get all those
srifting thoughts down on paper.

Hope this helps.
sibs   |86.221.24.xxx |2009-01-27 17:02:31
Hey, if you want a good idea, i think you should just think about something you
like, maybe a dream you once had. If there's something about your life that
makes it differant than everyone elses, then you could write about it, changing
it ever so slightly to fit your characters life.
Austin Jonakin  - HELP!   |64.12.116.xxx |2008-12-01 03:13:27
Hello,
i have written a book and its really really short is that ok cause i
do want it published. All my friends and family love the story so can you help
me know if a short story is ok.
The title of the book is "I Guess It Wasnt
a Dream"
Anonymous  - Length   |172.165.127.xxx |2008-12-31 21:21:56
i don't think the length matters... But if you can lengthen it, it would be
better. If it's a short story, though (like about 7 pages)it probably won't be a
book. Might be better to keep it in the family than put on the internet-could
get copied off a site. Well, good luck.
Christopher Terrell  - can I get some advice?   |64.131.226.xxx |2008-12-25 09:36:26
I am trying to get my book started but I don't know exactly what to put for the
back summary. Do you have any tips on what to put?
Anonymous  - Back Summary Tips   |172.165.127.xxx |2008-12-31 21:40:43
Okay, first of all, book STARTED? Look, if you don't have your book even
started yet, don't worry about the back! Worry about the inside! That's the main
part you read! Just write the book, then the back summary will just fall into
place.
If you do have your book at least half done and i've just
misunderstood you, your summary should be a basic overview of what
happens in the book-- WITHOUT giving your book away! You could include
characters, setting, and just brush the climax to get readers to buy the book.
But don't spoil it!
Chloe and olivia   |99.172.18.xxx |2008-12-29 18:03:41
Hi
My friend and I are writing our first serious book and we want a
few tips. The book is called The Lost Letters of a Broken Romance.

Thanks,


CC. &. OJ
Amma  - Lost Letters!   |172.165.127.xxx |2008-12-31 21:17:53
I LOVE the title! Sounds awesome. This is just a shot in the dark, but maybe
two teen girls can find old letters in an attic? Like their grandmother's,
aunt's, or elderly widow neighbor's? Just an idea. And when you start writing
the book, put the letters in it-maybe even give them their own cool font!
Peter  - im 11 and will have these problems?   |71.11.240.xxx |2008-12-31 05:40:07
Im 11 years old, and do you think i will really have a hard time making a good
fanstay story? cause im writing some ideas down and im going to start my plot.
Do you think ill have proablems?
Amma  - To Encourage You   |172.165.127.xxx |2008-12-31 21:14:42
Hey Peter! It's great that you're writing down ideas for a fantasy story! I
started writing when i was about your age. The point is to keep sight of your
goal. Don't let people discourage you. Just work on it till you finish, then go
back after awhile and see is there's anything you can change to make it even
better! One young author i know about wrote a book called Swordbird. Keep on
writing!
PS-Please be careful in the internet!
Peter  - Thanks Amma!   |71.11.240.xxx |2009-01-01 02:52:31
Thanks Amma! Now i wont worry about these Problems because i wont let anyone
discourage me! But if i make a mistake ill fix it.
Nadia  - no title     |74.74.157.xxx |2009-01-03 12:38:20
Hi I'm Nadia I want to write a book about bist on a true storie but I don't know
how to start the story or what the title of the book should be I'm kind off
having a hard time with this could you please help.
Mark Johnston  - I need some help.   |68.146.196.xxx |2009-01-08 06:02:46
Well, I have a novel written. It's my first attempt at this sort of thing. I've
called it 'Jacob,' so I suppose I've already fallen short of one requirement.
Lol. It's very, very nearly done, and I would really love to have it published.
My problem is, I really have no idea where to begin in getting it published. My
budget is...rather small. I would really appreciate any help or suggestions you
can give me.

Thank you,
Mark J.
Sydney  - Jacob?   |74.236.83.xxx |2009-02-08 20:00:56
oh wow.

Jacob is one of the title choices for my book.

does
anyone have tips on how to name a book?
i just cant decide.
i need to make in
intersting to make people pick it up; becuase the back cover cant reveal the
best parts!
Jemms   |96.232.127.xxx |2009-01-08 06:26:38
hey I'm currently writing the first book in what I'm hoping will be a young
adult series. i keep changing the title, not sure of what sounds best, but
lately I've called it "time to pretend" i have a lot of character
descriptions down mostly for my main characters, but i was wondering to what
extent i should write my descriptions. i have a back story and some random faves
and dislikes, and i have a full physical description down to height and clothing
size but i feel like something is missing...advice please?
Cassidy  - opinion   |76.20.48.xxx |2009-01-22 01:31:05
i have a book that i'm working that i don't know how long it will take me to
finish. i also have three other ideas for books that i have written down andi
wanted to know if anyone thought it was a bad idea to stop the book i'm working
on to change to the other one. please tell me what you think.
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