How to Write a Nonfiction Book: Make Time for What Matters.
"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." -- British naval historian and author C. Northcote Parkinson.
When writers I work with commit, they find a way to write and finish their books.
Recently, I worked with Sara, an herbalist. She had six weeks to turn in a final draft of her manuscript to her publisher and felt stressed out and overwhelmed.
“Can this be done?” she asked me.
It was a tight deadline. She had some work done but there were more chapters to be written, and revisions to be made.
“If you make it a priority and can carve out time most days to work on it, then the answer is yes,” I said.
She did.
She Believed She Could So She Did
She put her head down and got to work, writing new chapters and revising those she’d already written. I edited each chapter, sent it back to her and coached her through the changes that were needed. She reviewed my revisions, queries, and comments and addressed them.
Sometimes, the chapters needed more than one round of revisions. But each time, the chapters became stronger and she became more confident that yes, she could get it done.
Six weeks later, she handed in her manuscript to her publisher.
Tasks Often Expand to Fill the Time Available
Although things in your life need doing, the quote above points to the fact that the time they take can expand depending on how much time you have available. When you commit to writing a book, with careful consideration, often you can shrink the time you spend elsewhere (binge watching, social media etc.) and expand the time that you put into your book. You might be surprised at how much time you find.
On Ordinary Days
Of course, there are some circumstances where you just can’t write, you have no wiggle room or bandwidth for something else. But on ordinary days, the book that you’ve been dreaming of writing for as long as you can remember deserves your attention.
You want to share the knowledge and expertise you’ve gained by working with clients or patients. You want to help a wider audience, make a difference and, even, establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
You want to get your book out of your head and onto the page.
Need a Book Coach or Editor? Good Vibes Matter
To do your best work you also need someone who understands you, your book and your goals. I’ve found that with natural health experts, especially, that good vibes matter.
Book a 30-minute book coaching strategy call. We'll talk about your book idea, discuss whether it may be worth your time and energy, and see if we're a good fit. If we are, we’ll make a plan to put your healing vision on paper, so that you can share it with the world.
I open four slots a month for writers to work with me.
Start by scheduling your free call.
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