Less than 1% of the ‘aspiring author’ population will ever become published. Why is this?
I’ve had the privilege of teaching self-publishing courses at the local community college, coaching dozens of aspiring authors, and even publishing a few books myself. I’ve learned a few lessons about writing the hard way – I’d rather call these “teachable moments.”
I’m going to share these teachable moments with you so that you can publish your book the ‘write way.” Pun intended.
You have no book to publish if you do not have a manuscript first, and getting your manuscript written can be extremely frustrating and time consuming. If you are like most aspiring authors, you’re already saying to yourself, “But I don’t have time to write” and wondering “Where do I even start?”
Writing a manuscript is possible as long as you follow a system and don’t get in your own way. In fact, I am so confident that you can write yours in as little as 90 days that I want to give you a step-by-step manual for FREE. I can’t fit in all in this blog, so you have to download it from www.WriteWayPublishingCompany.com.
This blog post is Part 1 of a 3-part series equipping you with the survival compass that will help ensure you know where to start in writing your soon-to-be book!
Even before you start writing or working on your outline, you must follow these first 3 recommendations (Parts 1-3). Part 1 will focus on knowing your circadian rhythm.
Circadian Rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your “body clock” and it regulates many physiological processes within your body. It dictates when are you most alert and at your peak, when your body slows down and when are you not at your optimum. It makes sense therefore, to know your rhythm when writing.
Most aspiring authors have no grasp on this and that’s why they struggle, get frustrated … and ultimately quit. They write during the worst times, trying to fit writing haphazardly in their daily schedule. As a result, they get frustrated, overwhelmed, and never attain the clarity needed in order to write well.
Is this you? Perhaps all you need is to write at different times, when you’re more alert and at your prime as compared to trying to fit writing in or writing when you’re already tired after a full day of work.
Before writing anything, whether that be an outline, a chapter, or even jotting down all your potential book topics, it is imperative that you know your circadian rhythm.
Ask yourself, am I an early morning person, midday or a night person? When am I at my prime and most mentally free from distraction?
Once you know the answers to these simple questions, you must set aside time to write during your most alert periods of the day. Schedule it. You may have to experiment a little to figure out your rhythm. Do not write early in the morning if you’re not a morning person. Similarly, don’t write in the late evening if you routinely get tired in the evening after a full day of work and family activities.
Each person is different. Your best time to have a clear mind and write might be very early in the morning. Coffee and silence might be all you need before the kids get up and your emails start buzzing.
Add up 2 days a week from 4:00am-6:30am and a few hours on one weekend day. This can provide at least 10 hours of solid writing time in one week, 40 in one month and 120 in 90 days – that’s likely your book!
What’s your circadian rhythm?
When are you at your optimum and most alert?
When are you most tired?
Most mentally distracted?
If you are serious about writing your book, (1) identify when you are at your best and (2) pull out your calendar to make appointments with yourself during those times. Do NOT even think about writing during those times when you’re tired and most distracted.
Once you get started and are making progress, it’ll be tough to stop. Trust me J
Stay tuned for Part 2.
Again, to download your FREE guide on How to Write a Book in 90 Days, visit www.WriteWayPublishingCompany.com and download your complimentary copy.
Dr. Kevin Snyder is a professional speaker and author with a passion for helping others find their own and inspire it in others. He’s presented over 1,150 leadership keynotes and workshops in all 50 states and numerous countries. Kevin’s also a coach for aspiring speakers and authors. He’s never delivered pizzas but he does currently live on a sailboat – Why Knot!
