No preamble today. The number one time waster when writing a book is assuming you know how to do it.
There's this weird thing where people say:
"I know how to write. I write all day. Emails, texts, blog posts, articles, reports, work stuff, blah blah blah. I write all the time, so I can write a book."
They're wrong.
I like that they're encouraging themselves and being positive, but they're also setting themselves up to waste a whole bunch of time and frustration because they're massively underestimating the task.
Writing is not the same as writing a book.
Writing takes time, clear thoughts, words, some kind of writing device, and a basic grasp of how words go together
Writing a book requires all the above, plus an understanding of structure, the reader journey, the start and end points, your argument's central promise, establishing authority, open story loops, cliffhangers, engaging the reader over the long term, encouraging action, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Yes, you could argue short articles use many of those techniques, but they're so much more important in a book than a short piece.
Stop beating yourself up
I don't say this to discourage you. I just want you to stop beating yourself up if the book thing isn't working out right now.
If you're thinking, I should be able to do this. I write all the time. Why can't I wrap my head around this?... STOP.
Please realize you are wasting time (energy, motivation) by assuming you know how to do this.
You wouldn't think, I cut the fat off my steak last night, so I can totally cut out my friend's appendix today. No! You'd step away from the scalpel and, if you were dead set on surgery, you'd go learn that skill.
You'd sign up for medical school. You'd learn from the pros. You'd practice on dummys that didn't matter. You would NOT put your heart and soul into the very first rodeo. And you wouldn't beat yourself up for accidentally removing the plastic mannequin's colon when you were aiming for the appendix.
I know this is a weird analogy. It kind of got away from me. But you see what I mean, right?
Writing is not the same as writing a book
Just because you can write does not mean you know how to write a book. So don't waste your time diving in blind, trying, screwing up, and being disappointed and frustrated.
Learn how to write a book.
Study it.
What's that? You don't have time to study something new?
No, my friend. You don't have time to waste going around in circles doing it wrong because no one showed you an easier way.
There are easier ways. Many of them.
Take a step back. Acknowledge you're trying to do something challenging, and it's okay if it feels hard. Then learn what you need, so you can save time by doing it right from the beginning.
Thanks,
Liz “I Assume Nothing” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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