Lisa Tener

Book Writing Coach

commitment

The Secret to Making Progress on Book Writing Every Day

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Lisa Tener
Enjoying the flower garden at Casey Farm this summer.

Every day I make some progress on my book writing.

Some days I surprise myself with new material for what felt like a fairly complete book.

Most days I do some typing or editing of the book or proposal. My friend Paula is typing up my handwritten edits when our schedules mesh.

No progress is too small when it comes to book writing!

Recently I reconnected with Cathryn who took Eric Maisel’s Deep Writing class with me (more about that in my post Here’s How to Finish Writing a Book). Cathryn and I decided to ask each other the 5 questions each week, the same questions I use in my Bring Your Book to Life® Book Writing Course.

Asking the questions gave me immediate clarity. I’d been fumbling with feeling that I didn’t have much new material to write, so I wasn’t writing 5 days a week when I didn’t feel inspired. By asking the 5 questions, I realized I needed to print out my book proposal and return to writing any blank or unfinished sections.

Now I have a plan and I can be much more productive.

So, what are the 5 questions?

5 Questions to Stay on Track with Your Writing

  1. What did I commit to?
  2. What did I actually do?
  3. What worked (about completing the writing/work I committed to)?
  4. What didn’t work?
  5. What’s next?It’s ideal to ask and answer these with a partner, at least once a week by phone. Email works too. But you can do these on your own.

Given guests and travel, I suggested Cathryn and I check in by email this coming week. Better to connect by email than not at all.

Summer can be a busy time. Make it work for you by having a plan, getting some accountability and working your plan consistently. Evaluate whether it’s working. The 5 questions help you with all 3 of these strategies.

Let’s Hear from You!

What are you doing to make progress on your book writing? Any tips to share that help you with commitment, accountability, productivity or inspiration?

 

When You Commit To Writing a Book, Other Projects Will Call: How Will You Answer?

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Commit to Writing a Book!

book proposal coach Lisa Tener, write a book proposalYou commit to writing a book. You feel jazzed. You’re inspired. The birds seem to sing a little sweeter. There’s a lift in your step. And then…

Soon, you’re tested.

Suddenly, new and exciting opportunities come knocking at your door.

And you may want to answer, but don’t jump in too quickly. Remind yourself  that you committed to writing your book. Ask yourself, “If I say yes to this, what does it mean for my book?” And then decide. Perhaps there’s a way to put the new opportunity off for a few months, or to take something else off your plate (not your book, though)!

These opportunities can be anything from a new client, a new project to an invitation to a party Friday night. Whatever it is, before saying yes, always ask how a yes will affect your book and your commitment to writing a book.

If you are sure you want to accept the invitation and the invitation conflicts with writing time, perhaps you can immediately reschedule your writing time. Or perhaps you want to make the next few months a bit of a writing retreat and be more of a hermit—saying no to any and all distractions! Deeply re-commit to writing a book.

You get to choose. Choose wisely. Either can work, as long as you continue to prioritize your book overall.

6 Strategies to Commit to Writing a Book—and Stick With It

commit to writing a book
Commit to writing a book–and stick with it!

Here 6 strategies to commit to writing a book and keeping it a top priority:

  1.  When someone asks you to do anything (volunteer, help them out, take on a new project), stall with, “I’ll need to think about that. Can I tell you tomorrow/later today/in a few days?” Then ask the question above. “If I say yes to this, how will it affect my book?”
  2. Check your inner GPS: Imagine yourself doing that activity or taking on that project. How does it feel to say yes? How will it impact your book? What does it feel like as you imagine the impact on your book? Now try it the other way. How does it feel to say no? To make your book writing your number one priority?
  3. Schedule your writing sessions in your calendar for specific dates and times. If something comes up, think about whether it’s worth going off schedule. If it is, reschedule for another time immediately and put that in your calendar.
  4. Find a person or group to be accountable to. Check in daily, weekly or at scheduled times. We do this in my writing programs, along with 5 simple questions to stay on track. It works like magic.
  5. Give yourself rewards after you’ve completed your writing commitment for the day—a walk outdoors, a chat with a friend, a show on Netflix.
  6. Join a book writing class! One thing I love about a class is the sense of community. You’re not going it alone. In fact, everyone benefits from the sense of momentum we build up as a group. And I just happen to have a class coming up. How about that?! In fact, it’s not to early to be thinking about my premiere book writing program. While classes begin in February, you can get started on the pre-work any time (including a private book concept consultation with me).  Feel free to email me to explore.

I’ve seen people make that commitment and complete their book, in first draft form, in months, or even weeks. And I’ve seen aspiring authors make that commitment and then get side-tracked my bright and shiny objects. Those two outcomes feel very different inside!

Even new opportunities that look like answered prayer should be evaluated carefully. You don’t have to rush into a “no” either. Take your time to decide and prioritize.

What do you do to keep your commitment to writing? Any suggestions for fellow readers of this blog?

And here are some tips for writing productivity, once you get started.

 

Is 2009 the Year for Your Book?

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How to Write a book in 2009:

You’ve pictured yourself on Oprah and run through the interview a million times. Now it’s time to actually write the book that’s going to prompt the interview.

1. Make the commitment: Hey, if you don’t commit, it won’t happen. Good intentions are like snowflakes. They eventually melt. Commitments can birth stars–you can count on them to sparkle for a few billion years or so–provided you follow steps 2-5, as well.

2. Enlist accountability: Who are you accountable to? Find a writing buddy (someone else who’s writing a book), a supportive family member, a writing group, a course, a writing coach or a social networking group online to help keep you accountable.

3. Make it fun, so you actually do it: Create a fun ritual around writing–envision your success before beginning the writing, light a candle, pick an angel card, treat yourself to a double latte or some simple luxury after you complete a couple of hours of writing, a few pages or a chapter.

4. Find the time: What will you cut out of your busy life to make it happen? Shorten e-mail time, chat less on the phone, cut out video games…you decide where the time will come from. Then schedule it into your calendar and make it sacred.

5. Write a plan: Put your plan in writing for added power. When will you start? When will you write each week? How much? When do you plan to have a first draft? How will you edit the manuscript or book proposal? How will you publish? Your plan should answer all these questions. Your plan may also include hiring an editor or book coach to help you polish your book or book proposal.

Now it’s your turn. Make the commitment for 2009 and post your commitment as a comment to this post!!!!

Have a question about any step above? Post it as a comment and you  will get an answer straight from the writing coach!

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