<p><strong>Nine reasons why you haven’t yet published your book and what you can do about it.</strong></p>
<p>1 <strong>You have ideas for twenty books</strong></p>
<p>A book like any other project needs to be finished. Do one part at a time and focus your attention on it, otherwise you’ll spread yourself so thin, you’ll never complete anything.</p>
<p>2 <strong>You don’t actually know how to write, you like the idea of being a successful and rich author. </strong>Writers are not born with a pen in their fingers. Writing, like anything else, is a learned habit. Pick up a pen and write anything. Keep on writing until it makes sense on the page. Practice, practice, practice. Read lots and pay attention to what you like to read. Copy what works.</p>
<p>3 <strong>You haven’t got a publisher</strong></p>
<p>Think of anyone you know who has got a book published. If you don’t know anyone, ask people you know if they know a publisher, or agent. Think about the idea of six degrees of separation – that you are a handful of steps away from anyone in the world. Ask for an introduction and open up a conversation about what they are looking for.</p>
<p>4 <strong>You’ve started writing but not finished</strong></p>
<p>This might be because you’ve lost interest. If you haven’t enough passion about your subject, there’s no juice in the tank. Decide what you really, really want to write about. If you’re not really bothered about your subject, then your readers won’t be either.</p>
<p>5 <strong>You don’t know who will buy it</strong></p>
<p>A product without a customer will not sell. You may have a subject you’re dead keen on, but if only you likes to read about the mating habits of seagulls, then the book has narrow potential. Keep your specialist hobby to yourself. Research your audience, see what’s already out there and selling well, then come up with your special slant.</p>
<p>6 <strong>You have run out of content</strong></p>
<p>Writing a book alone can be a soul destroying slog. Run a free workshop based on the ideas you have so far. Put a note out to invite anyone interested to come along. You can build content and testimonials from other people’s stories that they’ll be pleased to tell you</p>
<p>7 <strong>You’ve not got the time</strong></p>
<p>You’ll never, ever have enough time: it’s about making time and switching priorities. First capture every spare moment you can to do a little. Take the train instead of the car so you can write and travel. In seven minutes you can write a page. Lots of little chunks of seven minutes add up. Clear your diary of social engagements and get on with it.</p>
<p>8 <strong>You’re scared of being famous</strong></p>
<p>Ha ha! Don’t worry. This is extremely unlikely to ever happen. And just think if it does, people probably won’t recognise you in the supermarket. There will be compensation in the form of glorious royalties. Delicious.</p>
<p>9 <strong>You’ve drafted out some text and your loved one says it’s terrible</strong></p>
<p>Those closest to you can be brutal and unhelpful critics. Find a test group of people or a coach, who understands what you are writing about and will give you objective feedback and pointers for improvement in a sensitive way.</p>
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2009-05-16T17:39:35Z
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nine-reasons-why-you-havent-yet-finished-your-book
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2009-05-18T17:02:03Z
2009-05-18T16:02:11Z
A book is a fabulous calling card into business. If yours is unfinished, it's time to get a move on. Here's how...
Nine Reasons Why You Haven't Yet Finished Your Book
1
2009-05-18T16:02:11Z