Take a Fresh Look at Your Book. Taking a Step Back Can Help You Move Forward.

Photo by nine koepfer on Unsplash

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

Last week I went out to lunch with a friend in St. Augustine, Florida. We ordered from a food truck and grabbed a spot to eat with a view of the river.

I looked around and realized that I could see my apartment building across the river. I realized how lucky I was to live on the water – it’s not the ocean – but water is water. I even have a balcony with a view.

Seeing it made me feel grateful that I’d found a good place to live and work. Did I realize this as I was living there? Yes, on and off, but somehow seeing it from a new perspective made me appreciate it even more.

What does this have to do with writing?

When you’re immersed in writing a nonfiction book, or any book, it’s difficult to have any perspective at all.

You may think you’re writing the greatest book ever, but often it swings the other way, and you’re filled with doubt. You’re so immersed in what you’re doing or trying to do that when you have a problem, it can be difficult to find a way out. And you may give up.

Instead Change Your Perspective:  

·         Take time away from your book. Let it sit for a week and go back to it. Fresh eyes can help you find the answers you need.  

·         Spend time in nature. Take a walk in the woods or at the beach. This can really help to refresh your point of view.  

·         Watch or read something inspirational. This can take you out of yourself, your problem and allows you to return feeling rejuvenated and ready to continue.  

·         Do nothing. This is highly controversial in Western society, but I’ve found that just stopping and even, resting, can sometimes give you what you need to keep going.  

·         Rethink your reason and purpose for writing your book. Is this showing up in what you’ve written so far? If not, you may need to revise your reasons or your approach.

·         Focus on your work and if it’s related to what you’re writing about, it may spark a solution. Or a new idea or a new direction all together.

·         Give yourself space to think about who you are, what book you want to write and the best way to share what you know with the world.

·         Hire a book coach.

A Book Coach Can Give You:   

Perspective. A good book coach is detached.

Meaning, she isn’t as emotionally invested as you are – although a good book coach is rooting for and helping you to succeed – she can see what you can’t see because you’re so close to the problem.  

Editorial Savvy. A good book coach knows what makes a book work.

She can see the big picture and the smallest details and tell you what’s working, what’s not and how to fix it, whether it’s a structural issue or the content you’re writing. This saves a lot of time, energy and aggravation.

Feedback and Support. A good book coach is an excellent sounding board.

Someone who asks good questions – think Tim Gunn – and reflects the problem back to you and helps you find the solution. She also has your back. You’re not in it alone.  

Marketplace Savvy. A good book coach knows the difference between traditional, niche, hybrid, and independent or self-publishing.

He can advise you on where your book may fit in, how to write a killer query letter and which agents to pitch first, second and third and how to keep going when you may want to quit. See “Support” above.

Project Management. A good book coach helps you understand what needs to be done, not only to shape the book idea, but what steps you need to take to complete it and get it to market.

For example, with nonfiction, a top priority is to help you write a terrific book proposal so that you can go for, and hopefully, land a traditional publishing deal. Or write a great self-published book.  

All of the services that a book coach provides can help to change your perspective. You no longer see the problem as insurmountable, you know what it is and know how to fix it.

You’re also not alone.

You’ve also got feedback, editorial support and project management help along the way as you continue to write, revise and market your nonfiction book.

So, if you’re having trouble getting started, are stuck in the middle or having trouble finishing your nonfiction book, think about changing your perspective. It can help you see things in a new way and keep you moving forward.  

Until Next Time!

Ready to explore your book idea? I help health and wellness professionals just like you turn their expertise into impactful, transformative published nonfiction books.

Book a free 30-minute discovery call with me to learn more about my book coaching and editing services.