Three Little Pigs Went to Market But One Went Faster

No, I'm not calling you a pig. Now that I have your attention, I want to talk with you about finishing your book fast and getting it to market faster. Did you start on your book and lose focus? You would love the rewards of a completed book but wonder where you could fit writing into your schedule.

Don't be discouraged; let me share some tips that will jumpstart your writing again. Trust me, if it feels like you've been stuck in the mud, these tips will pull you out. I call them the habits of highly effective authors. Successful writers set up a system of writing using steps that become habits. Practice the habits below and write your best book now:

1. Break the chains; you don't have to write in order.

Jump around and fill in the blanks. Review your chapters and whatever subject or topic you most drawn to, begin there. Many inexperienced writers feel they have to complete each chapter in order.

It's called linear writing (writing each chapter in order.) You don't have to write each chapter one after the other. If you happen to get stuck on chapter two, you could be stuck a very long time. I think this type of thinking comes from grade school where we are ritually taught to do everything in order.

If you have been thinking that way stop right now, no need to raise your hand. You have my permission to work on whatever chapter moves you or you feel passion bubbling for at the moment. Feeling stuck on a chapter, try another. There you have it now go with the flow.

2. Maintain your momentum keep your writing commitments.

Do your ever feel like I am stuck. I have to stop writing until I feel it again. Don't worry many of us have felt that way. From what I said earlier you may have gotten the impression that you just write when you feel like it and quit when you don't. If so, no that's not what I meant.

Unseasoned writers may play the martyr and push through just to put something on paper or give up and try again another day. We would never get it done like that. When you get stuck simply close that chapter and pull out your chapter outline and choose another chapter.

3. Know that successful authors rewrite and organize their ideas for the most impact.

New writers tell me all the time, "I just write whatever comes to my head and there's no need to re-write. My editor will handle all that."
My response is always the same: It's o.k. to free write when you are working on your first draft. The idea is go get the thoughts out of your head onto paper. For no one can express it quite like you. Oh sure, there are some better or worse writers but not exactly like you.

In fact, my advice is to avoid re-writing during your first draft. Concentrate on finishing each chapter then use your tracking time to self-edit: Check your ideas for flow, grammar, spelling, and chapter endings. Work on your chapter titles and lead in introductions.

I know this may not feel good to some but its smacks of plain ole laziness if you don't work on making your copy the best it can be. Don't leave all the dirty work for your editor unless you really can't do any better.

4. Learn to delegate and share faster and faster

Don't succumb to the feeling that you have to do it all yourself. As writers, we can get pretty isolated in our thinking if we're not careful. Do your research and reading time apart from your writing sessions. You may be able to ask your spouse, a teen-aged son or daughter, a friend to help with your research.

Know when to let go of your chapters and book. Don't self-edit and pick your book apart word by word. Learn to use your skills at the highest level possible. Some of the mechanical tasks of proofreading ask a family member, part-time employee or again a friend to help. After you have done the best job you can with your manuscript, don't be afraid to pass it to a professional. Learn to delegate faster and faster.

5. Value your time. Learn how to do it easier and faster.

I don't know anything about computers so pecking my book out would probably take forever. Don't run from technology. At least take the time to learn about the shortcuts in your current software. Welcome to the new millennium! Embrace technology make your software work efficiently for you. You can sign-up for a basic computer course. Get a book to learn the short-cuts. Not ready to invest, look for some free tutorials online.

Even so, nothing can happen until that first draft is completed. Procrastination is ultimately based on fear of failure. It has stopped countless of book projects and stolen the vision of many more. Don't allow procrastination to become a giant towering over your book dreams.

Then there are others who are not afraid but simply get bogged down with lack of focus and a plan. Develop the habits outlined above and you'll be surprised at what you accomplish. Write your best book now and bring it to market faster!