Is it possible to write a book in 90 days? Yes. Here is a 7 step plan that will help you get your expertise into book form. I have used it to publish several books on Amazon.
Why write a book? Here are several reasons:
- Credibility. Being the author of a book boosts your credibility and helps you get speaking engagements.
- Earn extra income. I can speak for free at various events and still make a profit due to book sales at the back of the room. Also, ongoing royalties from Amazon is nice.
- Satisfaction. For 15+ years I had a dream of being a published author. This 7 step plan enabled me to accomplish that dream. Do you have a dream?
- Help more people. Putting your message in your book will enable you to help more people.
Step #1: Choose a subject you are an expert in and passionate about
What jobs have you been involved in? What subjects have you spent dozens of hours researching because you are passionate about them?
Write from your experience and passion. If you do this, it will cut down on your research since you already know about the subject.
Step #2: Target your audience
Not everyone will want to read your book. Sorry! Identify your target reader and write to them. When I write I mentally picture that my target reader is sitting across the desk from me. Then I write like I am talking to them. Try it! You and your reader will see a difference.
Step #3: Outline your book
I’ve wasted several days cranking out a chapter only to realize it did not fit into the theme of my book. Outline your book. Decide on chapter subjects. Then go through and list out 10-20 things you will say about that chapter subject. This will help guide you.
Step #4: Write two pages a day during your most alert time
Find your time of day when you are most productive. For me it is morning, the earlier the better. I can get more study/writing done between 6 – 7, than I can between 1 and 4 in the afternoon. Yes, one morning hour is more productive than three afternoon hours. Get up early if you have to. Block out a writing time in the evening. Or maybe take 30 minutes at lunch.
Discipline yourself to write two pages a day. This should take you about 30 minutes and still allow some time for editing previous days work. What if you get writers block? Write anyways. Just write! Consider using the brain dump.
Do this for 90 days and you will have a 180 page book. You will find that someday you will push out 4-5 pages. Others it may be less. Write! If you write two pages a day, it is just a manner of time until your book is written.
Step #5: Improve your writing skills
Writing is an art and a science. It takes practice to become good, but you can shortcut the process by learning several strategies. See the following articles by our friends at Copyblogger:
Step #6 Hire several proof readers
You can tap into family, friends, or even local college students. At the minimum you want them to make sure there are zero grammatical and spelling errors. Second, you want them to point out any paragraphs where you are not clear. Third, to really spruce up your writing, ask them for ideas on how to reword to make it more clear.
Step #7: Self Publish or submit to existing publisher
Congratulations. Your book is finished. Now get that baby published and on Amazon. You can try an existing publisher or self publish through a company like Createspace.
What’s stopping you?
You have your plan. Take the next 90 days and write your book. Don’t delay. You may be thinking, “I don’t have time.” Wrong answer. We always have time for we think is important. Shut off the Time Vacuum (TV) and write.
Don’t make excuses. Follow this plan and you will write a book in 90 days.
(C) Arlen Busenitz – SpeakingInfo.com
