Let’s face it, not many people like your job. You may be doing something very boring, with few challenges, or you may feel like you don’t really get paid to be creative or use the tools you went to school for in the first place. Everyone needs to do that in some way, or we all risk going crazy. I am right?
Many people may dream of writing books, or seeing their thoughts read by millions, but few actually take that step. Others may want to start a business, or even have a wonderful product in mind, and believe that having a book published would help them develop a loyal following, and they are right! But then again, it may be too difficult to write a book, or people may believe that they are not good enough writers to do it.
I think we all have at least one book in us, whether it’s a memoir, providing anecdotes from our past that made us who we are today, or a non-fiction book that teaches a new, never-before-seen way of dealing. with a common ailment or problem.
Writing a book for fun or to express yourself is one thing, but whether you want to get it published by a big-name publisher, or publish it yourself and find a large audience, an important key is to answer a question that large audience might have. For example, you may have a great idea for a book about baseball, but does it help people in any way? If he talks about how much you love baseball and how much it has meant to you over the years, chances are he won’t. But if you provide your trademark step-by-step system for getting more hits in a baseball game, you probably have a winner.
Getting started is what most people find difficult. What I suggest to my clients is that they avoid writing altogether.
“What? How can I write a book without writing?” they ask.
Two words, I tell you: recorder.
Sony’s TCM-500DV runs on two AA batteries, has automatic reverse for uninterrupted recording and playback (ask yourself: how many times did I forget to flip the tape before?) and clear voice function, which improves recording quality by improving the sound of your voice. That means none of your precious thoughts are lost, people. I love this device and wish I had shares in the company.
When you’ve recorded all your tapes, hire a professional transcriber to transpose your words onto the page. Elance.com is a wonderful place for people to clamor for a chance to do their job, and at a price they can afford! Check it out and save yourself the pain of writing, unless you really like it, and in which case, well, I’m afraid of you.
While your personal transcriber is hard at work on your tapes, you’ll want to take a class to sharpen your skills and get the inside scoop on what editors are really looking for. Universal Class has two great classes coming soon, called Memoir Writing and Snippets and Stories: Writing Creative Nonfiction. It’s all done online so it fits right into your schedule, and they even have novel writing classes, so whatever your bag is, you can take care of it in just a few weeks. You can even request a certificate of completion, which looks great on your resume or wall.
As you craft your book, keep in mind the problems you will solve for your audience and how people might use the information you are giving them. The kiss of death is trying to withhold information so your readers will buy more books or products from you. People don’t like to feel ripped off, just like you wouldn’t, so give them what you have to give. You will build an audience of appreciative readers who will keep coming back for the quality you provide.
The final step in getting that book out of your mind and onto the page is to get StyleWriter Editor from Write Express. I’ve had clients swear they weren’t writers, but when they used this handy piece of software, which helps reduce word redundancy and catches other common miswriting pitfalls, their first drafts looked better than some of the final drafts I’ve edited on my day. Just click a button as you put together your first draft and the program does the rest for you, pointing out areas editors or editors might find weak. Now I call it priceless!
If you’re drawn to writing a book, it’s crucial that you present yourself as a professional, whether you’re trying to get published the traditional way or self-publishing. Taking the time to make sure your words are authentic, straight from the heart, and useful on a practical level is half the battle. The rest lies in making sure you have the right tools to take it to that whole new level and to that large and appreciative audience of your dreams.
Copyright 2006 Find Your Prosperity.com
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