The lazier you are, the more efficient you should be. But even if you're not lazy (because let's say, for the sake of argument, you are a super busy person), this tip will save you time.
Wouldn't you like to make your book writing process both easier and faster? The current model I advocate for my editorial coaching clients is based on creating with greater ease. It starts with breaking projects into bite-sized chunks and doing alike things together (aka batching).
That being said . . .
What's a To-Do List for a Book?
Once you have a solid idea for your book, you will set up an outline of your chapters. Each chapter has a purpose related to the overall theme. These need to be structured in an order that makes sense not only to you, but also to your prospective reader. The to-do list I'm referring to comes into play when you're ready to actually write those designated chapters.
==> Item #1 Set up your chapter folders: Make capturing ideas simpler by creating computer folders to dump all your great thoughts into as they come up. This way when you have an insight or flash of genius you don't have to switch gears. Save it and come back to it later. You'll never forget anything again since making a notation tells your brain, "Store this in long-term memory."
==> Item #2 Features: Are you going to have inspirational quotes at the top of each chapter, for instance? Then you can do those all in one sitting. Research them, and then input them, in one day's writing session. Of course, you can always play around and switch them later, as a polishing touch, however once they are input you can check them off your to-do list.
Other possible features are end-of-chapter summaries or exercises, sidebar quotes, top-of-chapter stories, bullet points, boxed tips, and so on.
==> Item #3 Build your endnotes as you go along: A big sob story I often hear from authors is how much they hate going backwards and trying to figure out/recreate their sources toward the end of their writing process. "Do I reaaaaaaaallllly have to include page numbers in my notes, Stephanie? But I just can't remember the video I watched/article I read/website I visited nooooowwwww." Boohoo. (Here's my tiny violin playing just for them: rrrereereerererererere.) Keep track as you go along in separate files organized by chapter, which you revisit and perfect at the completion of writing THAT chapter.
AND . . . and this one more thing is very helpful . . . highlight the numbered notation where it is located in your manuscript so that if you rearrange the chapter later you can swiftly find it. Every time you rewrite the chapter, redo your endnotes in the correct new order.
==> Item #4 Get signed releases at the TIME OF the interview: If you're interviewing subjects for case studies/book anecdotes, have them sign the release right at the time of the call or meeting. This way, they know going into the conversation that everything is on the record. They can raise any objections and state their preferences for being referred to by a certain name or pseudonym or otherwise state how they would like to be credited in the acknowledgements. Keeping things above board puts them at ease and helps them trust you going into the call or meeting. Offer to send them a free copy (or two) of the printed book when it comes out, and tape record the interview, including where they talk about their preferences for what is told or not told about who they are. Believe me, this can save you time, because getting releases signed at the last minute is like herding cats.
Batch your interviews: Make your requests all at once for scheduling appointments, and knock them out in the same week for each chapter.
==> Item #5 Do your research by the chapter: Some people don't research until the moment they get stuck, others distract themselves by jumping around from chapter to chapter. It doesn't matter which chapter you finish first (you should feel free to follow your flow), but once you set out to write a specific chapter, do all of the research for the sections of that one chapter at once before sitting down to write. This way, once that chapter is done being written, it is done to the best of your ability and you can check it off your table of contents. In the writing process you may ultimately discover gaps in your knowledge that you hadn't initially considered. These are happy discoveries which are easier to make if you don't have missing pieces. Handle filling in the gaps after drafting all the sections that are thoroughly planned.
==> Item #6 Establish an internal "rulebook" for your book: Set up a checklist of concepts that have to be touched upon in each chapter and review the list while you are drafting. For instance, if your book were on pet care and you were mainly hoping to appeal to people who have dogs and cats, but there were secondary markets with rodents, reptiles, and birds, at the end of writing a chapter you would ask yourself: "Have I done a section relevant to each type of pet owner?" "Is there a special case that applies to any of these categories?" In a chapter on feeding your pet you'd talk about special dietary needs for cats, dogs, etc. In a chapter on grooming, you'd talk about the furry ones, the feathered ones, and the fleshy ones, but you might have something special to say about molting birds or shedding snakes. If one chapter applies only to people in one category, you could even title it separately: "Exclusively For Bird Lovers."
When I am working with my editorial coaching clients, we talk through the mission and purpose of each chapter prior to the writing of it, and then a second time when we review the first draft, even before grammatical editing is undertaken. These kinds of consultations translate very well when it comes to the stage of marketing the published book, as you can set yourself up to hit the salient points that would most appeal to journalists or when speaking from a podium.
If you're interested Editorial Coaching for your Self-Published Book, please contact me:
abundantwords@aol.com.
Labels: book editing, book proposals, book publishing, books, self-publishing, writing
