I know, I know, that's a crazy thing to say for someone who's trying to get you to actually write your book.
But the way to write your book is not to start writing your book. If you just sit down and begin writing chapter 1, that's the surest way never to finish.
How can you write your book when you don't know what to say -- or how you're going to say it? You may be bubbling over with info, but please do not just sit down and start writing.
"But I've got a flow, Diana! Really, it's awesome. Chapter 1 is just pouring out of me onto the paper!"
Trust me on this. You'll reach chapter 2 and won't have a thing to say. I hear this over and over and over again from writers I coach.
Instead, here's a painless way to begin so that you'll finish -- one do and one don't:
1. Do brainstorm.
Grab a piece of paper or a blank document on your computer -- and start brainstorming. Make a list of everything you'd like to cover in your book. Every thought, every quote, every example, every topic.
Make it as long as you like. Spend a couple of weeks on it. Your list doesn't have to be pretty or organized, and it won't. That's okay. Right now it's just a list.
2. Don't edit your list.
Don't hit the delete button or erase a thing. You're just brainstorming and you have to allow your brain the liberty to think without restraints. There will be plenty of time to edit your list later. Right now just focus on making a really long list.
If you can do those 2 steps, you'll be on your way to writing your book. In a future post, I'll tell you how to turn your brainstorm list into an actual book.
Meanwhile, if you need help, direction, and focus, I offer personalized one-on-one writer's coaching no matter where you are in the world. I've done coaching sessions with an author in South Africa (and, yes, she published her book and it's now on Amazon). If she can do it, so can you.
Email me for more info. And in the meantime, if you're stuck on writing your book, then stop writing your book. Write your brainstorming list. Really.
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