Ep 166: How To Write A Book (in 10 steps)

My second book The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs comes out in just two weeks, and so I have writing on my mind. 

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Becoming an author has been my life's biggest dream since I was in elementary school, but I was in my 40's and had been writing professionally for over a decade before it finally happened. And, truthfully, my first two books are not what I ever pictured myself writing! 

I created this episode because I really wish someone had broken down the process of writing a book for me years ago. And because I think a lot of people want to write a book, but have no idea where to start. 

Although the 10 steps I walk through here follow my own process of writing nonfiction, a lot of what I'm sharing here could apply to any sort of creative endeavor. I'm talking about preparation, mindset, rituals, and radical honesty. 

How To Write A Book (in 10 Steps):

1. Be honest about the WHY (and if a book is the best format to tell your story)

2. Decide what you’re really trying to say

3. Outline, outline, outline

4. Give yourself a deadline

5. Find your rituals

6. Measure something

7. Write for yourself, rewrite for your audience

8. Use an editor and don’t take the edits personally

9. Let the book become what it’s supposed to be

10. Call it done

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ep 73: I wrote a book!

Ep 111: Behind the scenes of publishing, marketing, and launching a book

 

SPONSORS:

Betterhelp // Go to Betterhelp.com/YOU for 10% off your first month

 

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