Top Seven Mistakes Writers Make and What to Do About Them

Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing, finishing, publishing, and promoting their books. A recent client confessed that he thought a book was just too big a project. Using professional, respected information, writers can finally realize their book dream.

1. They postpone writing their book.

I don't know an author who is sorry they wrote a book. They only wish they had written it sooner. Speakers can expand a talk; coaches can expand how-to articles; business people can share tips and short information pieces. Everyone put out a
salable, respected book. They sell well today-on the Internet, at back-of-the-room, and can be a great boost to your credibility as a professional.

2. They write chapter one and other chapters before investing marketing time in the essential "Seven Hot Selling Points," one being writing the book's thesis.

The thesis evolves from answering what one major challenge or problem your book will solve. If the author can't answer his potential buyers question "Why should I buy your book?" clearly, quickly and concisely, he won't sell many copies. Another advantage of writing the thesis before writing the chapters is that the writer will write more focused, compelling copy, saving time not going off track or writing two books under one cover.

The thesis for Time Management for the Creative Person, by Lee Silber, is "Offers right-brain strategies for stopping procrastination, getting control of the clock and calendar and freeing up your time and your life."

3. They think they have to be an expert, great writer, or do mountains of research.

Write books on subjects you have passion for, and want to learn more about. As you research, interview, and write, you become the expert. Rough out what questions your readers will want answered; organize them in categories, which can then
become the table of contents and the actual chapter titles. Know your book's message is significant, and has readers who want and need it.

4. They aren't sure their book is significant enough to warrant their love, attention, and time.

If your book shares something new, something unique, something useful, it is significant enough to be written. Think about your audience out there, what they want and need. Think about yourself too. We each need to share our gifts with others. If we don't, we stagnate, wither and stop the natural flow.

Whether your book becomes a great seller or not, write it because you can. Expect rewards too. "Affluere" from the Latin meaning to flow, translates to affluence. The more you put your self into your book; the more rewards will flow your way.

5. They wonder if their book will sell.

Plentiful markets or your preferred audience want your information. Whether you write personal growth, how-tos, business, or even poetry, your audience awaits your talent.
When you stir their emotions with specific benefits, they will pay the price. Check out what is on the bookstore shelves, and on web publishing sites to see what's selling well. Self-help sells well, so do mysteries, parent/children, romance and sex.

6. They think they are alone is a long, difficult project.

Use your friends and associates to brainstorm with you. Let them give you feedback on the title, thesis, and one chapter at a time. They become peer editors, and also will give you even better words and ideas than yours to help make your book dream a reality. Take a community college, teleclass, or adult school class in book writing and publishing. Research on the Web. Subscribe to newsletters on book writing, publishing, and marketing. When the time is right, hire a book coach.

7. They think publishing is too long, too expensive, and too difficult.

With the eBook and Print Quality Needed (PQN) and Print on Demand (POD) printing technologies, an author can get their professional looking book out within a month, a few months, but definitely in less time than with traditional publishing.

With coaching and other professional services for parts of the project, the author is already selling books before they are printed -and writing at least three times faster, at practically nothing to one-third the cost. One client, Daisy Williams, of "Some Daisies Do Tell" sold 100 copies before she printed through PQN. Think of the cash flow she created to invest in advanced marketing.

Rethink your former assumptions about book writing. You can quickly correct them when you do a little more investigating.

Web Writing: Create Writing Flow With Four Uncommon Connectors

Connectors -- conjunctions, punctuation, and transitional phrases -- allow readers to process information promptly by creating balance and relationships between sentence parts. The connectors are performing the same work as verbs, objects, modifiers and multiple subjects.

Here are four uncommon connections that will create an easier flow for your readers:

1. Parallel Constructions. This side-by-side structure builds the bond between multiple joined parts. Example: In the children's story, Peter Pan stresses the need "for Wendy to sew" his shadow back on, "for her to return" to Never Never Land with him to take care of the Lost Boys, and "for them to leave" before her parents returned.

2. Beginning your sentence with a conjunction. One way to divide a long sentence or several independent clauses is to make each clause an independent sentence. And, but and or are three common conjunctions used frequently. This shortens the sentence, creates a conversational level, and keeps the reader moving forward.

3. Creating A Series Without A Conjunction. Using punctuation, usually commas but not limited to them, instead of words to separate, opens the door of possibilities in the reader's mind. It allows them to "feel" the "something more" and mindfully fill in their own words. The series allows readers to sense a separateness rather than a joined relationship. Example: Tinker Bell got angry, didn't like Wendy, flew frantically around the room. Many times editors want to add a conjunction -- and, but or or -- to the last series. When actually it is intentionally not added to create the feeling of possibilities. Ask yourself, "Do I want to create this feeling, or be more adamant with the reader?"

4. Listing Your Series In Order of Length -- From Short to Long. Arranging the words of your series from short to long and from simple compound/ complex make the process easier to understand. And if you can list them in alphabetical order it expands flow. There has also been research done on how people try to memorize and slow down when they read this type of series.

In the first example, parallel construction, the listing was an exception. The complex part was in the middle because of the chronological series of events.

In the first paragraph, "verbs, objects, modifiers and multiple subjects" is listed in the short to long and create an easier reading flow. If you read the sentence this way: "The connectors are performing the same work as modifiers, multiple subjects, verbs, and objects" your mind stops and goes. Many times this causes the reader to be confused or even for them to exit.

Web writing differs from paper-printed writing because of the way it is read. People scan what they read. This is people don't blink and they approach the Net with a mind set of information overload. Additionally, this is why there are different structural rules. Using connectors is just one such change you need to make in your writing for the World Wide Web.

Revving Up Your Writing Productivity

Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and space. It starts with awareness of what works and what does not. It continues with examining what needs grease, or other needs. Search for the truth for what you need in order to rev up your writing.

1. Long to-do lists. Long to-do lists can be emotionally draining without even knowing it-- even overwhelming and paralyzing at times. We all know it's important to set our priorities. To reduce its negative efforts on our psychic it is important to limit your to-do list to only what you have time to accomplish for that day. It is also important to be specific about what part of a long-term project can you accomplish that day as well. If you write down, "work on my ebook for 12 hours this week" it holds a different energy than, "work on my ebook for 1 hour today."

Fieldwork: Break down the bigger projects into daily doable chunks so you get that "accomplishment high" of checking them off. This is also a quiet but effective motivator. Try it, you'll see.

Every morning review your to-do list. Get honest with your time. If you only have one hour and your list requires three, don't' set yourself up for feeling like a failure because you didn't things completed. Move and reschedule the other two items. By getting honest with your time, and commitments, you begin to see higher productivity as well. If you complete your list sooner, just pull from the next day, and you will feel like you are ahead of the game instead of behind the eight ball.

2. Plan. Before you begin to write, create a quick one page writing plan. The writing plan can be just for that day or just that particular writing time. It only takes five or ten minutes after you get use to creating one.

Fieldwork: Start with recording what your vision is for that writing time or project. See the end result, feel it, and it will become a reality. Is it an e-mail, printed and mailed, or uploaded to your web site? Or is it a simple warm up or exercise to increase your writing skills? See it completed with as much detail as possible.

Next, what is your writing mission in eight words or less? Continuing on...What is your writing objective or objectives, strategy and plan?

Like I said earlier, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. I've done many on napkins or several Post-It notes that were handy.

If defining a whole writing project, you might want to create something more permanent. What matters is clarity and the picture of the end result. As Dr. Stephen Covey says in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, "Begin with the end in mind." Meaning begin with a vision of what the result looks like and feels like.

3. Leverage your time. If you can pay someone else to do less money than what you charge, delegate it. If your brilliance is stronger in writing and not typing or editing, stick with the writing. Hire out the typing and editing. If you are thinking you can't afford it, then you haven't found a way to value your time and your plan is off. You may most likely not be working on your right priorities.

Fieldwork: Check and rework your plan so that you leverage your time. Be honest with your self and what is your brilliance. Only one item contains the highest energy, the others may come class, but one stands out. Focus on that one and watch the miracles occur. Who else can do the other items so you can stay focused on your brilliance?

4. Process -- a series of actions bringing about a result. Prolific writers use many processes that range from how they write -- ink, tape recorded, voice recognition software, stenographer, court reporter -- to everything else that requires to complete their goal.

Fieldwork: What are your processes? Draw a flow chart of your writing process, editing, sales or marketing, filing or any other processes that accompany your writing. In each area, ask yourself, "What can be completed easier and faster?" Can an interactive form on your web site save you time? Would an interactive appointment process save you time? Can a virtual assistant provide support? When asking questions, let cost aside, and allow all possibilities to enter.

5. Systems -- a group of interrelated elements. What is your backup plan for operating without electricity? What system backs you up when your bridge line collapses in the middle of a class? What system do you use if your hard drive fails or heaven's forbid there's a fire? What systems require backup plans, what can slide, and for how long? How do you communicate your backup plans to others?

Fieldwork: Make a list of your systems and then create some contingency plans.

6. Support. Do you have a support team? Who do you call to pass on a project that you prefer not to do or you are too busy to handle? What about when your editor or editors are on vacation or busy themselves with other projects? Do your editors understand your topics? Example: If you are a coach, does your editor understand coaching? If an engineer or accountant, do they understand the lingo? Do they need to? Do you have a hardware technician or two available? Software specialists? Can they come on short notice?

Fieldwork: Make a list of support personnel and add names to each of those areas.

7. What are your power writing hours? They change frequently. What works on Mondays may not on Thursday because you are sleep deprived by this time every week.

Fieldwork: Track your power hour patterns for a few weeks. Also record what affects any changes, like a TV-show you stayed up late to watch. Heavy meals late at night. Look for the patterns and then make new choices that create big changes in your writing production.

8. Do whatever it takes to stay unconfused. Too many thoughts flying around in the old noggin? Try this system that I adore when this occurs.

Fieldwork: Create a make-shift white board if you don't have one. Use the side of a bookcase, picture, or semi- glass wall. Using Post-It notes, write one idea per note, and paste them up. Stand back and take a large picture view. What is appearing? Move them around according to your needs. What do you see? Nothing, give it some space and return and take another look. Keep moving, adding or deleting until patterns and pictures appear.

9. Exit plan. What is your exit plan for the writing or project? Do you plan to get out if something occurs? What is your measurement when you no longer want to be a freelance writer, what to move on to something else, or even just use writing in a different manner? If you are writing an ebook, what happens if it isn't making any money? When do you say, that's enough effort on this, write it up to experience, learn from it, and begin spending your energy on something else.

Fieldwork: Never take any new project one, until you know what your exit plan is for it. Practice writing them even if they are a sentence or two. This shifts your thinking that stuff is forever because nothing is.

10. Environments do affect your writing. It might not matter if it's well-organized. Do you have different areas or places that provide different energy for different types of writing? Do you prefer to sit in a garden to write a garden article? Then again, you may prefer to sit in your car. Can you sit in a bookstore to write one way? In the library, another? The kids playing loudly for another? Totally quiet for yet another?

Fieldwork: Know what environment fuels what type of writing for you. Make a list, then plan your writing around those environments. Notice as your topics change so will the environments need to change.

Reviving up your writing productivity begins with you -- good communication internally and externally. My friends tell me that they can recognize the gleam in my eye when something is taking form so they allow me space without interruption to take record my thoughts. Is this what you need? If productivity needs revving. Think, what it is and ask for it.

Celebrating Writing and Life

Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a few minutes of goals and visions for the day swirl in my head. No lingering for me, no alarm, no wishful notes too. Just me in my night gown with no hat.

I sit down to enter my dreams and what can notes. In my journal entries that began long ago with a tiny book and its lock and key. I used to dwell on all the icky things back then but now I write God with my cheers and glees instead.

I remember the days I knew not whether I was going to live or die. I also never thought I'd see why cancer came by. I'm glad I had cancer because today I like the who I've become. Which would have never occurred had it not appeared.

If I dwell, I can remember the day of an accident that left me in a wheel chair for years. Because I know if I do, today there will be a lot of have nots and heart of tears too.

As a coach I've been trained to be in the present moment with me. Thank goodness for apple trees. For if it had not been for growing things fresh air would not have been. And I would not be able to enjoy breathing it all in.

Next I write wisdom, only wisdom that I can share. I know that someone will be here and be inspired because I'd cared. I travel through my day with a soul of glee. Knowing, really knowing, this is the right place for me to be. The excitement occurs when I pick up my pen and get the surprise of how far its all come.

I know there were days long ago when I dreaded my day. I'm glad, I'm glad, there aren't none of them anymore. For when their inklings first appear, I now have the training and support to make them disappear. Coaching made me work so that I can appear.

When I crawl under the covers at night, I smile with prayer at the difference I made in everyone's life this day. Just because I was there. Before I drift off to sleep my sugar plums swirl with what next I can do with my pen. I nod off to sleep, gracefully and slow, lingering on the stories yet to be told.

Occasionally there is a 2 am up. Just because what was swirling before needs to be said. So I honor the time with my pen and then its back to la-la-land I go. I'm so glad of my passion, my life. It allows everything to be said. After my last eye lid shutters, my last thought is tomorrow's putter.

Three Tips to Improve Your Writing Rhythm

As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a lot of writing but I also look at a lot of writing. One of the things I've noticed that set the good/great writers from the so-so is rhythm.

What I mean by rhythm is how the writing sounds. The rhythm of the words and sentences. It's a subtle aspect of writing, one not normally talked about, but that doesn't lessen its importance.

Unfortunately, rhythm is also tough to teach (which is probably why it isn't talked about very much). It's something felt deep inside, like it is with music. It isn't as straight forward as pointing out a grammar error. What makes it tougher is that everyone has his/her own style and own unique rhythm. However, these three tips should get you started thinking about your own writing rhythm and how to improve it.

1. Watch out for long sentences. In fact, you might want to consider avoiding them altogether.

There's nothing inherently wrong with long sentences. And there are times where longer sentences are necessary (see next tip -- but note I said longer and not long). The problem is that long sentences have a tendency to turn into flabby sentences.

Think of a sentence as an eel. The longer it gets, the more slippery and elusive it becomes. Long sentences are sentences just waiting to slither far away and completely out of your control.

So what's going on with long sentences? One problem is they're tiring to read. By the time readers reach the end of a long sentence, they've most likely forgotten the subject/verb/point of the sentence. And they're probably too tired or too lazy or too busy to go back to the beginning of the sentence and sort the whole thing out.

Another problem is long sentences lack punctuation. Punctuation is a big part of rhythm. The start and stop of a period. The bated breath of an em-dash. Think of punctuation as your percussion section.

But when you write a long sentence, all you have to work with is the quiet sigh of the unobtrusive comma. Yes, they have their place. But it's a subtler instrument. (Think triangle rather than kettledrum.)

A good rule of thumb is to make sure a single sentence doesn't go over 30 words. If it does, strongly consider breaking it in two. Or three.

2. Vary sentence length. In music, a steady beat is usually a good thing. In writing, it's considered one of the deadly sins. (Okay, not really. But it still isn't good writing.)

If every sentence is the same length, your writing is going to get pretty dull pretty quick. You need short sentences, longer sentences (but not too long) medium length sentences and very short sentences.

How do you know if your sentences are all the same? Does your piece sound monotonous? Are you getting a sing-song voice in your head when you read it? Better take a closer look at those sentence lengths. They're probably all pretty close to being the same.

3. Sentence fragments are a good thing. Forget your fourth-grade English teacher. Forget that obnoxious green line in Microsoft Word telling you your grammar is wrong. In copywriting, as well as in many other forms of writing, sentence fragments are a lifesaver. Those fragments allow you to quickly and easily vary your sentence length. Plus, they can help your writing sound conversational. People talk in sentence fragments. Therefore, reading sentence fragments gives people the impression you're talking to them -- in your own voice and your own style.

So what's a sentence fragment? A sentence that isn't complete. It's missing something -- noun, verb, both. It's not a complete sentence.

Rhythm in writing is much more than just what's going on with your sentences. (Not that we've covered everything that goes wrong with sentences.) But it's a good place to start.

Creativity Exercises -- Get in touch with your writing rhythm

Hearing things out loud is a good way to start getting in touch with your writing rhythm. You may have heard of this technique to find mistakes -- and yes, it's a good way to discover errors. But, this is also an excellent way to start getting to know your own unique rhythm.

Start by reading your own work out loud. If you've never done this before, try not to be too hard on yourself. Chances are you're going to discover all sorts of problems -- including too long sentences and paragraphs where all the sentences are the same length. Make a note of what needs fixing.

Once you fix it, read it out loud again. Then read it the original way. Listen to the difference. Even better, try to feel the difference -- deep inside, in your gut. Our gut is an excellent rhythm sensor.

You should also read out loud things you haven't written. And read a variety of things -- plays, novels, direct mail pieces, newspaper articles, Web sites, poems. Read bad writing and read writing that's so beautiful your knees buckle. Listen to the rhythm while you're reading. How does it make you feel? More importantly, how does it make your gut feel? Your gut will never lie to you -- learn to trust it.