3 things you need before you write a book

Last week I shared 7 benefits of writing a book for your business. Before you run off and start writing your book, I want to share 3 things you need before you write a book. This will help you start from the best possible place. These things will make sure you’ve done the prep work that WILL make you succeed. So many people start writing a book and I want you to be one of the few who finish.

Here are three things you need to have in place before you write a book;

#1: Identify your special sauce?

Most people have many things they *could* write a book about. 

How do you decide? You know from ‘How to write a book in 6 easy steps’ that your book should be something you want to be known for. This means it can help add credibility to your expert status. However, within that area there are so many topics and so many possible angles.

At this stage you will just be brainstorming to see what feels the most exciting to you.  Some ideas will feel easier and lighter, while others will feel heavy and more difficult.

For example, I write a blog that helps mamas build blogs, grow online businesses and be motivated to take action to change their lives.

What could I talk about enough to give me enough content for a book? If I can talk about a topic to someone for around 6 hours (10k spoken words per hour), then I could write a book on it.

Straight away I can think of so many things that I know I could talk about for six hours straight (obviously I would have an endless supply of tea!);

• Email marketing
• Content marketing
• Mindset
• Productivity
• Social media
• Writing a book
• Starting a blog
• Working with brands

The list goes on and on…….

Then, I would look at my list and think of which of these topics light me up and which bore me? I can go ahead and cross off any that make me feel uninspired. I would dig deeper into the ones I feel good about. Which part of mindset am I passionate about sharing? When I identify that, I may well have the topic for my book.

Do not let YOUR mindset go to the place of I love talking about X. I couldn’t possibly write about it though because I’m not an expert. DON’T! If you can speak about it for 6 hours, then you’re expert enough and remember books create experts.

#2: You need to commit the time

When you have your idea, your goals nailed down and you’ve created your outline, the writing part can happen relatively quickly.

Writing is never difficult. If you can speak, you can write. It’s knowing what to write that often stalls us. However, you’ve nailed that by writing your outline, so now it’s full steam ahead.

Decide what time you can commit to each day to get your book written. Don’t over commit, as you’ll not stick to it and then you will lose momentum.

I would rather you say ‘I’ll write for 30 minutes a day’ and stick to it. Say you’re an average typist at 50 words per minute. You could knock out 1500 words in 30 minutes. Keep that up for 40 days and you’ve written a 60k word book. Simple.

Consistency and commitment are key!

#3: You need to BELIEVE you can actually write a book

When we embark on any project, especially writing a book, we go through an emotional story – The Hero’s Journey. At the start, it is really exciting and we can’t wait to get stuck in (we set off on the new venture with a song in our hearts). Then we go into what is called ‘The belly of the whale’ where everything seems so hard and we have challenges to overcome (like the fight scene in a movie). Then finally we come out on the other side and triumph.

All stories in the history of stories go through the same pattern. The story of you writing your book is no different. You will start rosey eyed and eager, then it will get tough. Your kids will get sick, then you’ll get sick. Just as you are recovering your dog will get sick and your car will break down on the way to the vets. LIFE WILL HAPPEN.

Your reaction to these unfortunate incidents and your belief that you can still WRITE YOUR DAMN BOOK will be the deciding factor as to whether you die in the belly of the whale or triumph on the mount.

Your mindset and self-belief that you can triumph are vital.

This might change day by day. Some days when life is serving you up sick kids and forlorn pets you might feel less than capable. Then the next day you’ll be back to your book-writing world-beating best. But it’s your belief that you can do it, that will motivate you on those rubbish days and get you to the finish line.

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When you’ve nailed these three things you will be ready to put pen to paper and get that book written. Do you have any thoughts holding you back? Are you ready to write your book?

Need help? I have a programme for women like you who want to finally write and publish their book. The exact step by step system I used to write and publish my own book in just 90 days. I can show you how to do it too. Check out the details here.