I once read that one of my favorite writers, the Nobel prize laureate, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, would spend hours or even days working on one sentence or paragraph. He refused to continue with the story until it was perfect.
Needless to say, it took him a long time to write his novels.
The irony is that sometime after his death, one of his main editors revealed in an interview that the literary legend was never a grammar or spelling whiz, and his manuscripts had many mistakes.
Go figure.
On the other hand, the beloved Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky finished his 1886 novella, The Gambler, in less than a month so he could pay some gambling debts. Well, and the added pressure that if he didn't deliver on time, his publisher would own the right to publish Dostoevsky's works for nine years, without paying a dime to the author.
How did he finish so fast? By dictating the story to a young stenographer, who later became his wife.
You may not have a deadline from a publisher or the need to write a book to pay off your debts, but writing fast is actually something I recommend you do as a new solo author.
Let me tell you why.
Writing is hard. But Rewriting is easy.
And there lies the secret to finishing a book.
John Swartzwelder, who wrote 59 episodes of The Simpsons, said:
“I always write my scripts all the way through as fast as I can, the first day, if possible, putting in crap jokes and pattern dialogue — “Homer, I don’t want you to do that.” “Then I won’t do it.” Then the next day, when I get up, the script’s been written. It’s lousy, but it’s a script. The hard part is done.”
If you really want to finish your book, just get it out.
Some people call it the "vomit method."
Gross, I know, but it works because a page full of words is better than a blank page.
Swartzwelder said that when he read the crappy script from the day before, he imagined that a little elf had snuck into his office and written it in the middle of the night. All he had to do then was fix it.
That's good news for you.
Just dump your ideas into your notebook or laptop and get it over with.
Let the little elf do the hard work (writing), so you can do the easy one (editing and rewriting).
Writer’s Block
But wait. What if when you sit down to write, nothing flows? What if your mind goes blank?
What if you have the dreaded writer's block?
Hum... well, in my opinion, writer's block doesn't exist. It's not a real thing.
You may feel the symptoms of writer's block. Like
You stare at the blank page and the blinking cursor until you start to sweat blood
Or your mind wanders incessantly when you are supposed to be writing
Or trivial chores make a miraculous climb to the top of your to-do list
But the truth is that your subconscious resists writing because you no longer enjoy it. It feels like endless work, and you're unsure if it's worth it.
Writer's block is a state of mind, and as such, it can be changed in a second. So, what can you do when you feel stuck?
I use the peak state triad from Tony Robbins:
First, change your physiology, posture, and body's well-being. How you use your body affects your mindset and your emotions. And in turn, it affects your writing. How you sit or stand, how you eat and exercise, it's all connected.
So next time you feel stuck, start by making sure you get a good night's sleep, some good exercise and delicious food. Then, sit down in an environment conducive to writing.
Second, change your focus. Focus on what is working, how much you've written so far, the WHY you are writing your book and all the things you will accomplish. Tony says, "Where focus goes, energy flows, and results show."
Third, change your language. Your self-talk determines how you feel and behave. Stop saying you have writer's block and start telling yourself that you are in the writing zone, that words and ideas flow nonstop.
In fact, the above works to eliminate not only writer's block but also any negative emotions in your life.
How to Make a Decision
Here’s a quick tip to force you to write fast that doesn't involve gambling or dictating your book to your fiancee.
It has to do with the way decisions are made.
You see, there are 3 steps to making any decision and getting started with accomplishing your goals.
1. Make a decision
2. Set a date
3. Announce it publicly
Unless you set a date for your decision, it's only a wish.
Unless you announce it publicly, there's no commitment or accountability.
Whether you want to write a book, create an online course, start a business, quit your job and get a new one, or any other important decision, you need a deadline and a healthy dose of external pressure.
For example, when I decided to write The Solo Thought Leader, I gave myself 30 days to write it and chose my wife's birthday as the publication date. That gave me roughly four months to publish the book.
So, I made a decision and set a date.
Then, I needed to announce it publicly, which I did to my audience on LinkedIn—not once but many times over the following months.
The best part is that I did it. Without a date and the risk of not delivering on my promise, I could have taken longer.... maybe too long.
So, are you ready to make a REAL decision about your book? Then pick a date and tell everyone you know and their cousins.
Writing Fast
Writing fast is different than typing fast. Typing is a task, but writing is a process.
If you want to write a book fast, that it's worth reading, you must follow this process:
1. Ideate: Give birth to an idea in your mind, looking at it from different angles until it takes hold of you and you can't do anything else but write that book.
2. Plan: Create an outline and a detailed plan (with deadlines and word counts) to write your book fast.
3. Execute: Follow your plan, writing as fast as possible without editing (the vomit method) and let your creativity flow.
4. Improve: Go back to your draft after a few days and do two things —refine your ideas and polish your #writing.
Without a process, you'll just be typing in circles, lost in the FrustratedWriter Woods.
So get started.
And if you want my help writing a GREAT book FAST, check out my on-demand course Write your First Business Book in 90 Days at diegopineda.ca It might just be what you need to complete your manuscript.
When you are ready, here are three ways in which I can help you:
1. Get a copy of my book The Solo Author: How Solopreneurs Earn Money and Authority with a Book Ecosystem. Get it here.
2. Grab my course, Write your First Business Book in 90 Days. Learn the 7-Step System to Write a Book Fast. This course will guide you to write your business book in 90 days, even if you have little or no time to write, you’re not a skilled writer, and your book idea is half-baked. Buy it here.
3. Work 1:1 with me: The Book Ecosystem coaching program is the perfect business accelerator for authorpreneurs serious about making an impact and growing their businesses. Limited to a few spots per quarter, you must apply for a spot. Click here to book to see if you qualify.