10 Book Writing Mistakes That Stop Your Dream In Its Tracks, Part 2
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 make some simple mistakes that block your book's progress and success. Correct the following mistakes; complete your book and prosper:
Mistake 6 Failure to keep going after life interrupts.
It is a common challenge to find your place after being interrupted by family, work and daily life. After all that's why many think you must get away to get it done effectively. Yet, there's hope  for those who can't get away or choose not to. Successful writers all over the world use the tracking approach. They succeed because they commit to doing a little each day.
Solution: Set yourself up for success; use the tracking approach. The most popular method to use for tracking is time. Time is the method where you commit to a writing a certain amount of time each day. With the cumulative factor involved your commitment doesn't have to be that much.
For example, to accomplish my book writing goals I commit to writing one hour a day in a.m. (my most productive time.) With this method don't be overly concerned about how much you write, just keep the time commitment.
Mistake 7 Failure to find writing rhythm
You don't have to write each chapter one after the other. If you get stuck on chapter two, you could be stuck a very long time. This type of thinking comes from grade school where we are ritually taught to do everything in order.
If you have been thinking that way stop right now, no need to raise your hand. You have my permission to work on whatever chapter moves you or you feel passion bubbling for at the moment. Feeling stuck on a chapter, try another. There you have it now go with the flow.
Solution: Don't become chained to writing in order. Jump around and fill in the blanks. Review your chapters and whatever subject or topic you most drawn to, begin there.
Mistake 8 Failure to push past writer's block
I am stuck. I have to stop writing until I feel it again. Unseasoned writers may play the martyr, give up and try again another day. We would never get it done like that. When you get stuck simply close that chapter, pull out your chapter outline and choose another chapter. Choose a topic from that chapter and begin there.
Solution: Maintain your momentum. Don't give in to writers block. Move on to work on the chapter you feel passion bubbling for at that moment.
Mistake 9 Failure to turn off editor mindset when writing
Many newbie and seasoned writers are perfectionist. When writing, they feel the urge to stop and change something every few paragraphs. Or they finish a page and want to perfect it before continuing. Turn off your editor voice while writing your first draft. Your goal should be to get the message on paper.
Solution: Avoid re-writing during your first draft. After your message is written completely out, then you can turn the editor's voice back up. It's true successful authors rewrite and organize their ideas for the strongest impact.
But in the beginning stages of writing your book, concentrate on finishing each chapter. Use later writing sessions to self-edit. When it's time to edit, check your ideas for flow, grammar, spelling, and chapter endings. Work on your chapter titles and lead in introductions.
Mistake 10 Failure to ask for help
Many writers are natural loners. So it's no surprise when they fall into thinking, "I have to do it all myself." Do your research and reading time apart from your writing sessions. You may be able to ask your spouse, a teen-aged son or daughter, a friend to help with your research. Know when to let go of your chapters and book. Don't self-edit and pick your book apart word by word.
Solution: Learn to use your skills at the highest level possible. Some of the mechanical tasks of proofreading ask a family member, part-time employee or again a friend to help. After you have done the best job you can with your manuscript, don't be afraid to pass it to a professional. Learn to delegate faster and faster.
You may not make 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
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
This has really opened my eyes.
