Writing a Book, a Bowl of Spaghetti and Almost Losing Your Mind

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"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." -- Benjamin Franklin

Often the clients I meet with who want to write a book are stressed out and overwhelmed because they’ve tried writing a book on their own and are having problems. For some reason, they also think that they’re supposed to know how to do this complex task even though they’ve never done it before. This pressure only adds to their frustration.

Think about this.

If you didn’t know how to fix the transmission on your car, the plumbing or wiring in your house or the elevator at work would you blame yourself because you didn’t know how and you’d never done it before?  DIY can be overwhelming, stressful and confusing – even shame inducing.

Book=Clock

Writing a book is a complex job. I like to compare it to a clock or a watch. All of the gears need to mesh for it to keep good time.

It’s the same thing with writing a book.

You need:

1.      A solid idea, one only you can write from your unique point-of-view.

2.      To know who your ideal reader is

3.      A problem you know how to solve

4.      A method that helps the reader to feel better, mentally, emotionally or physically or maybe all three. 

5.      A structure or Table of Contents so that this can happen and your reader is transformed in a meaningful way.   

Not to mention that you also need to:

Create content that’s reader-focused and engaging and full of actionable information.  

Does this sound easy?

It’s not. It’s like rubbing your belly and patting your head hard.  

Writing a Book is Hard

I had a call with a writer last week.  She was feeling confused, overwhelmed and frustrated in large part because she thought she needed to know what she didn’t know, what she couldn’t know, since she’d never written a book before.    

I told her, “Sandra, it’s not you. Writing a book is hard.”

(By the way, even if you’re experienced this can sometimes be true but it does get much easier).

It’s also a learning experience. In any new endeavor adopting “beginner’s mind” is the best way to start.   

After we began working through the problem that she was having – in this case, aligning the content she’d already written with the new direction she wanted to take which is no easy task – I could see the relief on her face. Being open to learn, is the best way to get from what you don’t know to mastery.

And the bowl of spaghetti?

This is what her book looked like when it came to me as a developmental editor and book coach. Frankly, it was a hot mess. It was like she’d dropped pasta (words) on the page. So, there was a lot of cleaning up to do. This wastes time, money and energy.

You don’t want to drop a bowl of spaghetti on your page. To not do this, (and almost lose your mind) you need to get the basics down before you start writing. Be prepared. That way you won’t make a mess. You also might write something amazing.

Need help?

📅 Email me at info@thenaturalhealthbookcoach.com to book your FREE 30-minute session.

 Learn more: www.thenaturalhealthbookcoach.com