Hi Reader, I’ve written and published nearly a dozen books over the years. It’s always exciting to send the final version to my editor, upload it to Amazon, and press publish. The months (or even years) of hard work are over… unless I factor in book marketing! But what if you’re still working on your book? Here are 4 common myths aspiring authors face when struggling to finish their manuscript. These are the myths about writing that hoodwinked me before I published my first book. 1. I Will Finish My Book if I Work Harder Here’s why: Telling yourself to work harder might get your ass in the chair on day one, but if you miss a few days, it turns into a guilty project. Then, your book becomes this BIG THING you’ve got to do. Like any hard task, you’ll procrastinate, put it off, and forget about it. Yes, writing a first draft is tough, but don’t make it harder than necessary. Once I discovered telling myself to “work harder” wasn’t helping me write and would never help me write, I found a solution that helped me get better results. 2. I Should Write Different Things at Once Blog post. Essays. Articles. Newsletters. There are so many exciting creative writing ideas to explore. Often, new writers work on different writing projects and struggle to organize their ideas. That’s fine if you’re Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, or a pro author who has been at this for over 10 years, but it’s a mistake when you’re starting. Here’s why: When you switch from one project to the next, it takes between 20% and 40% of your creative energy to associate yourself with your new creative project. It gets worse 🙁 Because you’re getting distracted and working on multiple projects, you’ll delay finishing your book. You’ll postpone the feeling of accomplishment that comes when you publish your first book. This feeling is an essential reward if you’re finding it challenging to create a writing routine that lasts. 3. Good Writers Work Only When Inspired A novice athlete who wants to run 26.2 miles for the first time can’t turn up on a marathon day and expect to finish the race. They have to train when they don’t want to, practice when they are tired, and squeeze their sessions into their otherwise busy weeks. They have to practice like a professional. When you turn up before a blank page, it takes precious creative time to warm up and figure out what you’re trying to say. And if you haven’t practiced writing in days or weeks, it’ll take even longer. Look, inspiration is nice. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a blank page with a hot idea and an urge to write your book. But if you wait all day for an idea and inspiration to strike, what will you do if nothing comes? Will you wait till tomorrow, next week, or next month for inspiration to tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘Hey, it’s time to write?’ Because that’s a sure-fire way never to finish your book. Believe me, I’ve been there. 4. I Can Write A Book at the Weekends Sure, there’ll be the inevitable Saturday morning when I’d write for two or even three hours, produce 1000 great words, and say, “That was a morning well spent.” But more often than not, I was putting 7, 14, or even 21 days between good writing sessions. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait that long to finish what I started, so I changed how and when I write. Good writing demands consistency. Instead, I tried writing a little EVERY DAY to get into the rhythm and momentum of writing a book. If you need the support of other writers, reply to this email, and I’ll tell you about an affordable community I’m launching this month. Write on, Bryan Collins |
Join 25,000 readers for daily insights about personal brand building, writing online and growing a profitable business. For creators, coaches and business owners.
Hi Reader, My business was bloated. So, this year, I canceled half a dozen SaaS subscriptions. How I loathe bloated software! I also let my team of writers and editors go. Now, I keep things simple. I run my business using a few affordable tools and a virtual assistant’s help. I write emails in plain text files on my computer, so I’m not locked into any one writing app. I use ConvertKit to manage my daily newsletter because it hooks me up with sponsors. I use WordPress to manage my website...
Hi Reader, I run a daily newsletter. I earn four figures a month from it. If I can do it, so can you. Why should you rely on an algo. When you can write and sell directly over email. That's what I do. And my story isn't unique. Crafting a daily email is a good form of writing practice. I can touch on multiple topics, like marketing, creating offers, and writing online. Sending a daily email unlocks more opportunities for connecting with readers. I hear from subscribers every week who want to...
Hi Reader, Screenwriter and director Brian Koppelman wrote his first screenplay, Rounders, while working a day job. He worked on his manuscript for two hours each morning before work. Years later, he told aspiring screenwriters: "Don’t quit your job because the pressure will be so great that the anxiety will be thwarting. Instead, build your routine.” I built a routine like Koppelman’s when I’d a corporate gig as a six-figure copywriting job. I worked on my business for an hour or two before...