Writing Your Book: The List

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Many people have asked me how I did it. How did I write my books and get them published? And can I help them do the same? I would like to but…..

I can’t coach everyone who asks, so I wrote this article to give you some advice. Though it’s been a while since I had my last book published (2017), and the industry has certainly changed, I want to share some tips with you if you feel compelled to put your work out there.  By no means is it comprehensive, but it could help.

It all started in 2011 when my husband and I had a dinner party at our home in Sedona. My two good friends ambushed me. They told me it was time to take my business to the next level. They and my husband insisted that I couldn’t do it unless I had the ultimate business card: a published book. So the journey began.  Taking my books from an idea to a reality took a combination of preparedness and opportunity.

I had a few issues come up that I want to address right up front. 

If you have a great idea for a book, or the desire to write a book, and you don’t think you have what it takes, remember this: You are the one who has been chosen to write this. It is supposed to come through you. That is why you are having this desire. It is not accidental. 

Do you have the thought “It has already been written, so why bother?”

I get it. I had that thought too. What if you are the one who is supposed to give it voice next? There may be many other books in your same genre or topic. Who cares? How many books on meditation are there? How many cookbooks? How many thrillers? Don’t let that thought stop you. As a matter of fact, don’t let any other thought stop you. Your book is the answer to someone’s prayer, whether you know it or not.

When you have a self-limiting thought or belief, it’s time to inquire.

I use the 4 questions of The Work of Byron Katie:

  1. Is it true?
  2. Can I absolutely know it’s true?
  3. How do I feel/react when I think the thought?
  4. Who would I be without the thought? (Probably writing!)

Are you afraid of what people think and is that stopping you?

Not everyone will love you. Not everyone will think you are a good writer. Not everyone will read your book, not even your good friends or family.  Don’t worry about it being perfect or too revealing. Don’t worry about what people think of you. Don’t take anything personally. What they think of you is their business, what you think of you is yours.

Here is where to start in terms of writing : 

  1. I like to start by writing notes on post-its and then stick them on a big piece of paper (like on a flip chart) or onto a bare wall. I keep this going for days or weeks. On the post-its, I’ll include one word or prompt such as an idea for a story, a concept, an exercise, a meditation, or a quote that I want to include. Then, I start to group them together, and soon, an outline starts to take shape. This can be exciting!
  2. Then, I choose one post-it note to use as a prompt to write about during my writing appointments. Do what I heard Eckhardt Tolle did. I make a regular writing appointment in my calendar. You can do this too. Warning: don’t fill the time in with anything else, even if you are not inspired to write during your appointment. If you aren’t writing, don’t do anything else but think about writing. Don’t check emails or clean your closet. Sit poised with a pen a paper. If nothing comes, hang out anyway. Set aside about 1 hour.
  3. Writing longhand is often better than typing. Go for it and feel free to write the worst stuff, or the most shocking. It’s important not to edit while you are writing. Editing is for later. Write as if you are writing to a particular person or sharing with a friend. This will make your writing specific rather than abstract. It will be accessible. It’s better than pontificating or evangelizing to the entire world. Don’t worry if everyone will get the message, but those that do, will LOVE YOU.
  4. To keep motivated, find yourself an accountability buddy, someone who can ask how you are doing, or who might read a few chapters or paragraphs. Or, better yet, find a writing partner, someone who will help you keep the appointment so you can sit and write together. You can share your writing with them or not. It’s like going to the gym. Sometimes it’s better with a friend.
  5. While you do steps 1-4, keep your eyes out for signs and wonders. Keep your eyes out for the way in which life supports your desire to get this book written. You might feel an inner knowing as to where to turn, what to include, who to talk to, etc.

Now, here are some steps you’ll probably need to take to get it published:

  1. Be sure you have an outline.
  2. Write and polish up at least two chapters so that you’ll have them ready to send if any interested parties want to see that you can write sensibly.
  3. Put together a proposal and include your reach, i.e. how many Facebook followers you have, what you do to “get out there,” etc. Publishers are buying you, not your book. They want to be sure you can be a good front man/woman for yourself and them. For extra points, make a media reel.

4. Either self-publish (I use Amazon for my small book) or, find yourself an agent to sell your book to a publisher. Most publishers won’t take unsolicited manuscripts.  I used Waterside. My agent is Bill Gladstone, the president of Waterside. He does not take new clients, but there are other great agents there. Another way to find agents/editors is by finding a book that is similar to the one you are planning on writing, look at the acknowledgment page, and there, you’ll see a list of people who helped them get the book done. You can search those people and see if they can help you.

5. Pray. Will you find an agent? will you find a good publisher? Will you make money? Will you get recognized or be a best seller? That is God’s business. Continue to keep your eyes out for signs and wonders, the way life is pointing you in the right direction.

Then, once you get a book deal, you’ll need to: 

  1. Finish your book – this could be the hardest part.
  2. Find/hire an editor, here is a good article by Huffington Post. I’ve used two great ones: Nancy Marriott and Dani Dorman.
  3. Ask influential people and other writers to write endorsements for you. They may ask you to write it for them and they can review it. Say yes. Make it easy for them.
  4. Write your marketing plan, including getting on podcasts, creating a book launch webpage- this is often created in conjunction with a publisher. Self-publishing? You’ll have to do steps 4-6  yourself. See this article from Entrepreneur Magazine. 
  5. Execute your marketing plan. Stick with it.
  6. Sell your book.

Wishing you the best!