An E-Newsletter of Profitable Advice about Writing
To Increase Your Personal and Organizational Success
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| November 2009
Volume II, Issue 11
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Forward
This Newsletter
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| To Learn More About My Writing, Editing, Ghostwriting & Publishing Services
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| Stop By For A Visit!
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My office is conveniently located on an island in the Atlantic Ocean.If you don't have a boat, send me an e-mail.
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Are You Among the 80 Percent?
A survey by the Jenkins Group, a Michigan-based publishing company, found that 80 percent of the population would like to write a book someday. Obviously, most never follow through. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Many wannabe authors have nothing worthwhile to say. But what about those folks who really do have a good idea for a book and never get around to writing it? What's stopping them? I suspect it's a combination of factors that includes a lack of discipline, motivation, confidence, and knowledge. As a first step, they need to learn more about the writing and publishing process. If you're one of those wishful thinkers, this issue of The Write Stuff! will be helpful to you. You'll also get to take our famous grammar quiz and read an interesting e-mail from a reader.
And since Christmas is approaching, I'll let you in on a fascinating bit of trivia about how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol.
Enjoy reading about writing!
Michael J. Dowling
Professional Writer, Ghostwriter & Publisher |
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My fifteen-year-old daughter, Katrina, has a "can-do" attitude. A few years back, when she was age eight and weighed 46 pounds, I used to be able to use that to my advantage.
"You can't carry this," I'd say to her when I wanted some help carrying groceries in from the car. "It's too heavy for you."
She always took the bait. Grabbing not one but two bags of groceries, each about as big as she was, she'd proudly lug them into the house.
However, as Katrina grew up, she wised up. At age nine she started to say, "You're right dad. Those groceries are way too heavy for me." Then she'd smile and leave me holding the bags.
When it comes to writing and publishing a book, some people sound like Katrina before she "wised-up." They say. "It's way too difficult for me."
What about you? Does becoming an author seem like an impossible dream? It doesn't need to be.
All you have to do is follow these six steps:
1. Strengthen your motivation by clarifying your purpose.
Here's where it's OK to be selfish. Think about how your book will benefit you.
Will it be helpful in promoting your business or your career? Do you want to use it to advance a cause you believe in?
Whatever your reasons, they must provide sufficient motivation to get you going and keep you going until you've successfully accomplished your goal.
2. Choose a subject that will interest your readers and will benefit them in some meaningful way.
Here's where it's not OK to be selfish. Your
life story may be fascinating to you, for example, but it's only a good
subject for a book if it will interest and benefit your readers.
Of course, you have to be knowledgeable and exited about the topic of your book. Otherwise, it's going to be awfully dull.
3. Set aside the writing time.
You're probably too busy to have the time to write. But that's no excuse. Virtually all books are written by busy
people.
You'll never have the time. Nevertheless, if you really want to write a book, you'll be able to find the time. Make appointments with yourself and keep them.
How much time is required to write a book? Four hours a week may be sufficient if you work with a ghostwriter and have notes from presentations you've made and research you've done.
4. Set up an accountability structure that will keep you moving forward day by day, week by week.
Without accountability, it's easy to get sidetracked. An editor or ghostwriter can help you set and keep deadlines.
5. Decide how you're going to publish and
market your book.
I've listed some helpful resources on my website that will help you with these decisions. (Scroll down to the list of books to the self-publishing section.)
6. Start writing.
This step may seem obvious, but
some people never get around to it. Others jump into the writing phase too soon, before they've thought through steps 1 - 5 above.
If you'd like more information about the book-writing process, read my white paper 11 Questions You Need to Answer before You Attempt to Become an Author.
As I said, writing a book is not difficult.
But it's not exactly simple, either. If it were, everyone would be doing it.
You can write and publish a book if you really want to. With the proper support, you can become an author.
Start by talking to people who have written books. Read some of the books listed on my website. Call me if you want to talk.
Meanwhile, develop a "can-do" attitude by carrying some heavy bags of groceries!
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Why keep all the fun to yourself? Tell your friends about "The Write Stuff" newsletter!
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Our Famous Grammar Quiz
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Which sentence is grammatically incorrect?
(a) And it started to rain.
(b) Her hat complimented her dress.
(c) The school principal talked to the students about the principles of sportsmanship.
Answer at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Why Charles Dickens Wrote
A Christmas Carol
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Charles Dickens did not start writing A Christmas Carol until October of 1843. He was motivated - not by great creative inspiration - but by his personal need for extra Christmas cash. Dickens finished this great classic by Thanksgiving, in less than six weeks writing time, and then he self-published!
This fascinating bit of trivia comes from How to Position Yourself as the Obvious Expert by Elsom Eldridge Jr. and Mark L. Eldridge.
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| White Papers Worth Reading |
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| Our Readers Are Writing!
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Mike, you are correct to point out the importance of good grammar and accurate proofreading.
As a book marketing and publicity consultant, I receive books from
authors on a daily basis. I am appalled at the quality of some of the work
offered out there in the marketplace.
The other day I received a book that
contained 25 spelling errors on the back cover alone. Editing and proofing are
basic to success in the marketplace. What a tragic waste of time, effort, and money when a book is not done
properly. Both the author and the book lose credibility.
Don McCauley
Free Publicity Focus
Group
www.freepublicitygroup.com
Thanks for your e-mail, Don. In appreciation, I'm sending you a complimentary copy of my book Boosting Your Pet's Self-Esteem. Enjoy!
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Answer to Grammar Quiz
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Sentence (b) is incorrect.
The proper word is complemented, not complimented.
Compliment is to express praise or admiration.
Complement is to complete or bring to perfection.
The other two sentences are grammatically correct.
With regard to sentence (a), Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words has this to say:
"The belief that and should not be used to begin a sentence is without foundation.
And that's all there is to it."
Here are some definitions to help with sentence (c):
Principal means "first in order of importance, the person with the highest authority."
Principle means "a fundamental truth, a rule or belief governing one's personal behavior."
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Michael J Dowling ~ Writer ~ Editor ~ Ghostwriter ~ Publisher
133 Worthing Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Phone: 912.230.5051 Fax: 912.634.5777
E-mail: MJD@MichaelJDowling.com Website: www.MichaelJDowling.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljdowling
Clear, concise, creative, and convincing writing and editing to enable individuals and organizations
to accomplish their goals and increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability.
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