Ten tips to go from being an aspiring author to a published one by this time next year
Christie Lindor
Christie Lindor
Founder, Tessi Consulting. Executive Coach. Author. TEDx and Keynote Speaker.
- Decide whether the book is a passion project or for your business - in other words, why are you writing it? And why now? Then decide whether you will self-publish or seek out a publisher. Each one of those decisions can drastically change the direction your book goes into.
- Create a persona(s) of who the book is for and write regularly with that persona in mind. Write a brief outline as a guide of what the book will cover and why it matter to that person.
- Develop a rhythm to writing regularly: for some people that means writing an hour a day, for others that means writing 2000 words a week. Find a pattern that works for you and stick to it.
- No time to physically write? Record yourself speaking your thoughts for at least 20 minutes a day and have your recordings transcribed as a starting point
- Don't worry about the fact that there are already books written in your topic of choice. You are the only one on Earth having your human experience - write from that lens.
- Seek out a rockstar editor as early in the process as you can. Book editors are worth their weight in gold.
- Part of being an author is also a mindset - don't wait until you are published to call yourself an author. The moment you start writing, embrace the fact that you are an author.
- The purpose of the first draft is not to get it right, but get it written. It's about progress, not perfection.
- Feedback from the right people throughout the entire process makes all of the difference.
- Push through those feelings of imposter syndrome and write anyway. If you are constantly creating, you will have less time to complain and criticize your work.
PUBLISHER, EDITOR, (ghost)WRITER, AUTHOR COACH, PUBLISHING CONSULTANT, AUTHOR, BUSINESS BOSS | DO IT 4 U Publishing: Self-Publish the Professional Way!
5 年Your points mirror the points I make when I speak to crowds of attorneys interested in writing to further their careers and practices.
Organizational Development Sr. Manager at The Home Depot
5 年Thank you for these tips!
Executive, Career & Mindset Coach | Voiceover Actor | Audiobook Narrator/Producer | Radio DJ/Host & Interviewer | | Top Tier Facilitator | Consultant
5 年These are terrific tips! Thank you for sharing this.