Kickstart Your Nonfiction Book with These Essential Tips

Did you know that around 80% of people say they want to write a book, but only a small fraction actually start? I used to be part of that statistic until I realized it's easier than you think to get that book out of your head and onto paper. Hi, I'm Karen, and welcome back to my blog. For those of you who are new, hello and welcome!

I recently posted a YouTube video about why you should be writing a book, and it got me thinking, why don't more people take the plunge? Maybe it's because writing a book seems like a gargantuan task. The thought of putting sentence structures together, figuring out what to write about, worrying about publishing, editing – it's enough to cause some serious heart palpitations. But guess what? You don’t have to have everything figured out from the start.

When I first began writing, the key was simplifying things and focusing on the framework. Without a clear plan, it's easy to stay stuck in "someday I'll write that book" mode. It’s similar to starting a fitness routine; you have to put it in your schedule. That dream of writing a book doesn’t have to be about publishing unless that motivates you. Sometimes, it's just about getting your story down on paper.

I love connecting with people through my YouTube channel, but there’s something magical about holding a book in your hand. It's a tangible piece of yourself that you can share with others in a much more personal and lasting way. Imagine someone finding your book on their coffee table years from now and thinking, “This is exactly what I needed.” It's about creating a legacy, and that’s incredibly exciting to me.

Writing a book does require dedication, but it's the framework that makes it manageable. Having a clear roadmap alleviates a lot of the anxiety about what comes next. First, you have to identify your topic and audience. It seems obvious, but trust me, it makes a world of difference. Think about the stories you have, the wisdom you want to share, and who will benefit from it. Picture that one person who will read your book and feel a connection with you.

One technique that kept me moving forward was free writing. Allow yourself to write without judgment. When I wrote my book, I didn’t look back at my rough draft until it was completely finished. This helped me avoid the temptation to edit as I wrote. Believe me, the less time you spend editing in the rough draft, the faster you'll complete the whole thing.

This week's assignment is to set a timer for 20 minutes, five days this week. In that time, identify your topic and audience by free-writing different ideas and listing potential readers. It’s like figuring out YouTube video titles, minus the SEO stress. Just focus on topics and your ideal audience.

So, join me on this journey. Write a little bit every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Consistency is key. You have the stories and the expertise, it’s time to share them. Let me know what your biggest challenge is when it comes to writing. I’ll be covering more in my upcoming videos, so stay tuned!

Happy writing, Karen

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