The best advice I ever gave to a writer… Plus how to write a book in 6 months, 3 months, 12 days
Just breathe.
I was on a coaching call with one of my authors. She was trying to figure out how to keep up the momentum and stick with writing her book while on her vacation. She would be travelling with 12 other people, sharing sleeping spaces, their calendars packed morning to night.
As a book coach who helps busy people make time for their book publishing dreams I did the unthinkable:
I told her to live her life.
One day we’re all going to be dead and all these dreams, as beautiful as they are, won’t matter anymore.
If you’re at all spiritual, as I consider myself to be, I can’t help but think that if I can just love this one person this one time, maybe this moment can matter. Even after everything is said and done.
Dream big, yes. But don’t forget to live your life in the meantime, and love the people you’re with. All we have, really, is this moment. So make the most of it.
One of the best parts for me of On Writing, Stephen King’s book on, well, writing, is when he shares about creating the room of his dreams to write in. He designs this perfect study/library and orders all his family to stay out. And then…crickets.
After some time and dreaded writer’s block, Stephen opens up his study, moves his desk to the middle of the room, and invites his kids and wife to hang out in there. Once again, the ideas start to flow.
Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Yes we need time for quiet reflection, to receive wisdom and direction from God, the universe, Muse, but also…the best kinds of stories are the ones we write together.
Live your life. Move that writing desk to the centre of the room.Invite others in. And discover the treasures in store for you there.
Cat xo
PS: Oh, and if you want to cry, listen to this Pearl Jam beauty as you watch the leaves turn orange and…just…breathe.
PPS: Last week I got first copies of my book, and held off on the reveal until after my mom’s birthday. This moment is everything.
How launching a book is like a start-up business
I’ve been talking about and sharing one very special book with everyone I meet lately, so I absolutely must share this with you now.
Even traditionally published authors know they can’t count on their publishing houses anymore to do the heavy promotional lifting, and if you’re self publishing, you’ll need all the help you can get to help your book rise above the rest.
Which is why I love Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth.
Launching a book is like launching a start-up in a way: Teams are small, money is stretched. But you do have one thing your competition doesn’t have—the ability to move quickly, stealthfully, with an ear that’s closer to the street.
I call this stealth marketing, and it’s what I’m committed to exploring and exploiting with my authors. How we can create the most impact with the fewest resources.
It starts with asking, what’s in your competition’s gap, that you can nudge yourself into, carving out a space for your book?
And what special strengths and relationships do you have that you can leverage, to help your book travel?
That’s where I invite you to go with your book launch and marketing strategy.
Ask yourself those questions, and whatever you’re building, make reading (or listening to the audiobook of) Traction the number one thing on your to-do list.
PS: I’m opening up a few days and times in November for discovery calls with me, before I wind down for the holidays. If you want to schedule some time to chat about your book and best next steps, grab your spot now before it’s gone.
How to write a book in 6 months or less
Writing a book doesn’t have to take years. In fact, it can take as little as 12 days, as one of my authors managed to do.
All it takes is commitment, declaration and team.
I just shared this breakdown with someone who attended a recent workshop of mine, so I’ll share this here too for anyone embarking on writing a book. Here’s how you write a book in 6 months or less:
Write 500 words a day (approx. one hour a day, depending on the book and the writer)
Write five days a week = 2,500 words a week
= 10,000 words a month
= 60,000 words in 6 months
Want to write your book in 3 months? Double the daily/weekly word count, and halve the months it takes to write it.
And remember, this is just to finish your shitty first draft. The magic is in the editing.
PS: If you’re looking for additional strategies to help you write your book, or accountability to help you finish it, or even an editorial team to help you polish it, schedule a discovery call with me and learn about my packages and programs.