You can do anything in four easy steps!
An outrageous claim, no? But I can prove it. Because you're doing
it now.
Imagine your laundry basket. What are you going to wash today?
Ah, socks. How will you wash them? In the machine. Now you do the
wash and when the socks come out of the dryer, you wonder, "are
they done?" Are they really clean and dry? Are they both there?
Don't you have to match them and fold them and put them away?
Because what you really want is socks that are ready to wear. And
soon enough, they'll be back in your laundry basket again.
This is the circle of life: you decide what you want to do and
how you want to do it; then you do it and check whether it's
really done. The pattern's easy to see with a simple project, but
when you're facing a complex project like writing a book, it's
easy to get muddled.
To get where you're going, know where you are.
Many of my clients just start writing, trusting that their urge
to say something will produce something someone (maybe even
everyone!) will want to read.
This urge is valuable. It proves that deep inside, you have the
power to complete your task. But to be effective, power must be
directed. Like your car's drive shaft, process concentrates your
writing power where it has the most leverage. And to get to the
end of the process, you need to know where you are in the process
right now! If you're not sure where you are, review these
questions:
* Can you describe what your book does for your reader in eight
words or less?
* Do you know the demographics of your ideal audience, what they
read to find information similar to yours, and how you can
contact them?
* Can you measure the value your book gives your reader, as well
as the rewards you need to receive to make the book worth your
while?
If you answered No to any of these, you have more work to do to
define what value your book must deliver. Defining what gives you
the ultimate guideline for creating a clear, easy-to-read book,
and communicating its worth to a publisher.
* Can you picture the environment where your ideal reader
actually reads, and visualize the style of content that's
easiest to use in that environment?
* Do you know your reader's goals and expectations for outcomes,
and how to fulfill them?
* Do you have access to all the information you'll need to
deliver your book's solutions?
If you answered No to any of these, you have more work to do to
define how your book will deliver its value. Knowing your book's
structure and style as well as its content builds your confidence
and helps you write it right the first time. If you answered Yes
to all of the above, congratulations! You've done the hardest
work and could probably turn the book over to someone else to
actually write.
* When you sit down to write, do the words flow easily?
* When you look at your work, do you feel a sense of
accomplishment?
* Do you have a complete draft?
If you answered No to any of these, you still have work to do. If
the words aren't flowing or you're not sure you're making
progress, your time might be better spent clarifying your what
and how, or in examining and overcoming any fears or doubts that
might be blocking you.
* Is every sentence, paragraph, and topic clear, crisp, and
error-free?
* Does every word contribute to the solution your book delivers?
* Is your book ready for publication?
If your manuscript does not deliver the value you want for you
and your reader, you are not done. The plan you created for what
you want your book to deliver is an excellent guideline, but
expect some "oh, yeah" moments, like "Oh yeah, those socks aren't
really done till I put them in the drawer."
Take the next step, even if it's backwards
Perhaps you've been writing a little, outlining a little, and
wondering how to get a publisher. Now that you know where you are
in the process, you can put what you've already accomplished in
perspective. Each phase builds on the one before, so you're best
served by doing them in order.
If you don't have solid answers to the first three questions--
answers from which no one can dissuade you--you're not finished
with what. What is the hardest, the one you're most likely to
revisit as your project progresses, and the secret to your
success.
If you've already started writing, don't worry-your work is not
wasted. Just keep it on file until you get your what and how
defined. With those tools in place, you'll finish your book with
confidence, get your message out, and be ready to start the next
one!
|
