Learn strategies for how to write a book and get it edited in this episode of the Author Audience podcast. This is part three of my “Procrastination to Publication” series.
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In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How to write a book, two more strategies (see episode 2 for the third)
- How to get your book edited
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Can’t listen right now? Read the transcript below:
Option #2: How to Write a Book in Blocks of Time
The second option is to write your book in blocks of time. I recommend using this method if you have more time than money and if you prefer writing to speaking. This is also a great option to use when you have the ability to set aside blocks of time in your schedule to write.
I highly recommend writing in blocks of time, based on your outline. It helps you to be so much more productive. Once you get in the flow of writing, an outline makes it easier to keep writing. On the flip side, it is harder to start and stop when you are writing a book.
I like to use the illustration of driving a car. When you are driving a car on the highway and you accelerate from 15 mph to 60 mph, it take some time to get up to that speed, especially if you have an older car like we do. However, if you are already at 60 mph on the highway, it is much easier to stay at that speed. If you have to keep stopping and starting, it is going to take you much longer to get to where you need to go than if you simply stayed at the same speed.
It is the same way with writing. If you can get into your writing zone, it will be much easier to write for three to four hours, than to write for one hour three to four different times. However, if you only have small chunks of time to write, use whatever time you do have.
What is the writing zone?
Here is an example of how to write a book in the writing zone:
1) Gather everything you need – all your tools, resources, etc.
2) Go to a place with minimal distractions.
3) Have some snacks, water, and anything else you might need to fuel your body while you write. (Coffee, anyone?)
4) Turn off all incoming notifications.
5) Have access to your book outline.
6) Write, write, and write some more!
Go on a Writing Date!
I recommend that you go on a writing date. When you go on a writing date, you set aside a specific chunk of time and go somewhere specifically to write. You might schedule your writing date for three to four hours, it could be an entire day, or it might even be an entire weekend.
I have an author friend who is very busy. She has several kids, she is a pastor’s wife, she works outside the home, she writes books, she does the marketing for her books, she volunteers in her community, etc. You get the idea. Therefore, when she wants to finish a book, she will actually go on a writing retreat. She will set aside an entire weekend and will go to a place outside her home to focus on writing.
I have done books both ways, very successfully. Sometimes I will spend several hours in our local coffee shop. For one of my books, my husband and I went away to a retreat for the weekend, and I was able to finish a majority of the book then.
It’s amazing how productive you can be when you set aside intentional time to write.
I do recommend removing as many distractions as possible, including all incoming notifications. I know this can be really hard in our technology-connected society. This means turning off your phone, don’t check emails, turn off Skype, Facebook, and anything else that might distract you during your writing time. This way you can stay focused. If needed, you can let a few close friends and family know you won’t be answering your phone/texts; you can even set an autoresponder to your email that you will be unavailable during that time.
How to Write a Book Using Time Boxing
Another technique you can use to boost your productivity during your writing sessions is time boxing.
The time boxing system consists of three simple steps:
1) Decide what you want to get done on your book. Choose a smaller section that you can get done in a shorter amount of time.
2) Assign a specific time to each section of writing you want to get done. Choose 30 minutes to three hours.
3) Start a timer (like an egg timer), and focus on nothing but finishing that section of your book. This means you don’t answer the phone, you don’t get up for a drink, you don’t log onto Facebook. You remain focused on the task at hand!
If you practice these three simple steps regularly, it will totally revolutionize the way you get things done in your life – guaranteed!
Any timer will work, but I have a timer for my computer I have used. It’s called Productivity Coach and is a bonus for Author Audience Academy members.
Option #3: Hire a Ghostwriter
The third option is to hire a ghostwriter. Did you realize you don’t have to actually have to write the book yourself to publish a book? Many popular authors have used ghostwriters to write their books. You have that option as well. Use this method if you want a professional product, with as little time invested in the process as possible.
I don’t think many will choose this option, but I wanted to mention it. This option will definitely take longer, as you will be at the mercy of your ghostwriter. They usually require a certain amount of time to finish your project, whereas when you write the book yourself, you can get it done fast. A ghostwriter will also require a bigger investment up front.
I used this option once for a book, and it ended up working out well for me. I used a ghostwriter I already knew. I knew her writing style and I was comfortable with her work ethic.
You do need to be selective in who you choose to work with, as this is going to be your book with your name on it. You should have a signed contract before starting the project. This contract should say that you maintain the copyright to anything they write and that the book will be published under your name.
The ghostwriter is writing for what you pay them at that moment. They are exchanging their time for money. You are able then to make profits on the book royalties forever. That is the trade-off.
Where do you find a ghostwriter? Ghostwriters.org has a list of writers. I have not personally used them, but it is a resource to consider. I also recommend checking out Elance.com for writers. You can do a smaller project with someone to get a taste of their writing style, then go from there. There are a lot of ghostwriters that will work for you, but you have to do some research and find the right fit for you.
So again, the three options to write your book are to speak your book, to write your book in blocks of time, or to hire a ghostwriter.
At this point, you need to decide which option you are going to choose. Let’s do this!
Day #3: Editing
The third step in how to write a book is editing. This is the part most authors don’t really like. However, it doesn’t have to be as laborious as we make it.
The First Step is a Self-Edit
I recommend you self-edit your work first. Here are four ways to do it.
1) Spell Check
First of all, you should use the spell check feature included in your word processing software. You can miss things if you forget to do a spell check. I have done this before when I sent a manuscript to an editor and realized I would have caught my mistakes if I had simply used spell check.
2) Read it Out Loud
This is a great way to catch mistakes. I often do this, even with blog posts or other short writing tasks. I want to make sure it sounds right and that it flows. When you read your manuscript out loud, you can catch many errors and sentences that sound awkward.
3) Have Your Computer Read it to You
Another option is to actually have your computer read it out loud to you. There is free software called Natural Reader that will read your manuscript back to you. Sometimes hearing someone else read it can also help you catch additional errors that you didn’t catch the first time.
4) Print it Out
Another option for self-editing is to read a printed copy. Many times you will see errors on printed paper that you won’t catch on a screen.
Consider Using Editing Software
The next step is to consider editing software. Here are a few options:
ProWritingAid – Improve readability and avoid embarrassing errors with their tool. They have a free and premium edition.
Hemingway Editor – There is a free online version and an app you can download. They do ask for a small fee if you want the desktop version, but you can use the basic software for free. This software will point out awkward sentences, hard-to- read sentences, how many adverbs you have, etc. It will even tell you the grade level you are writing for, and can be a helpful tool.
Autocrit -This is a tool used more often by fiction authors, but might be an option you want to consider. You can edit a small amount of text for free by signing up for their email list.
Grammarly – They claim to be the world’s most accurate grammar checker. This is a paid tool.
Use Proofreaders
The next step to how to write a book is to use proofreaders. This is not a professional edit. You will normally use friends, family, other authors, college students, professors/teachers, or even hire a professional to proofread your work.
My husband is a really good proofreader, so I will usually have him proofread my books for me. This helps me correct another layer of mistakes.
Hire a Professional Editor
Finally, you may want to consider hiring a professional editor. There are several types of editing:
Copyediting: Corrects the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and overall consistency of your book.
Developmental content editing: This includes copy editing and helps you with the overall flow of your book. This is helpful for text that has been transcribed.
Most of the time I hire a copyeditor for my nonfiction books. This makes sure that I don’t have any glaring mistakes in the books I publish. However, if you are struggling with writing or have a transcript that needs a lot of editing, a developmental content editor will be a better fit for you.
I recommend hiring an editor who has experience with the Chicago Manual of Style. You may also want to compare the rates of the editor you hire with the Editorial Freelancer Association rates.
Here are a few recommendations for editors:
Editor911.com – All of their editors have PhD’s. They are professors of literature or writing at major universities and have edited over 4,000 books since 1999. So they have a pretty good track record.
The Self-Publisher’s Ultimate Resource Guide: Every Indie Author’s Essential Directory-To Help You Prepare, Publish, and Promote Professional Looking Books. There is a section that includes editors. I recommend getting the Kindle version as you’ll get the updates as they come out.
Other recommendations – I also have a link to my Trainingauthors.com website, where we have a list of recommended editors.
I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed at this stage. With a small eBook, you can often get away with using a quick self-edit and/or software. Or you can use a proofreader in your sphere of contacts.
However, if you are writing a print “showcase book,” I recommend using a professional editor. A showcase book is a book you sell at the back of the room after a speaking engagement. And if you have the budget to hire a copyeditor, I recommend it for all nonfiction Kindle books.
More Strategies to Write a Book
If you want to learn more tips to help you write your book, check out “Tips on Writing a Book – How to Write a Book”
Have Comments or Questions on How to Write a Book?
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