Book writing tips
When it comes to writing a book, there are hundreds of tips I could share. Although I do have my favourites.
This week, I asked some of our clients what they found most useful when writing their books and here are their top tips below.
What are your most successful book writing tips?
Enjoy this blog and feel free to add your comments to the post below. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Sarah Harvey, author of Savvy Conversations says:
Get organised.
Get the structure organised. It may evolve as your book takes shape but structure will provide you with a helpful framework for your writing.
Get your research organised. Having everything to hand once you start writing will help stop procrastination setting in.
Get your diary organised. Block out writing times that work best for you and ensure you complete your manuscript on time.
Finally, get your team organised. Once you’ve written your book you will need a designer, editor, proofreader and publisher in place ready to spring into action and turn your hard work into your finished book.
Mary Nonde, author of Awaken Your Intuitive Vision says:
When the inspiration comes get it down.
Don’t wait for a convenient moment or you’ll lose the thread. Even though you’ve allocated a regular time to write each day. Even when you have an organised plan for the content of your book.
Sometimes the best ideas – and therefore the most inspired pieces of writing – arrive when you least expect them. And sometimes inconveniently when you are supposed to be taking time out.
It’s always advisable to carry a notepad or Ipad with you to capture these bursts. Frequently 2,500 words at a time in my case would spill out so not to be sneezed at.
Steve Preston, author of Portfolio Careers – How to Work for Passion, Pleasure & Profit! says:
My top tip is to use the post-it approach to break down content into chapters.
Then each chapter has post-it’s for obvious headings and then subheadings.
I found this particularly helpful with my 3rd book Portfolio Careers – How to Work for Passion, Pleasure & Profit!, having had pages and pages of transcriptions to work through, which was totally overwhelming.
It’s great because you can also easily move the post-its around to get a better flow for the book. I did this multiple times until it felt right!
Sally Kay, author of Reflexology Lymph Drainage says:
Visualise holding a physical copy of your book in your hands, imagine how good this feels.
How big is it?
How thick is it?
What does the cover feel like?
Silence your inner critic, stop procrastinating and get professional help.
It’s well worth it and you’ll be so proud of the finished publication.