The Only One Thing You Need to Finish Your Book.
Write.
Yes, that's it.
Just write.
Write every day, as much as you can. Keep a notebook by your bedside so you can write down inspired dreams. Keep another pocket-sized notebook with you at all times so you can write any time you come up with something that should be in that book.
Set up an area where you can write daily without being disturbed. Some people write after the kids are asleep. One author came to work two hours early in order to write in an empty office. Another wrote during his two-hour commute, with noise-canceling headphones.
Regardless, you have to start writing. Today.
Every day.
Don't skip a day. No excuses.
Because when you write, you make progress. If you don't write, you don't make progress. Books don't write themselves. You don't want to die with a book still inside you. (Well, most people don't, if given the option.)
Write.
Write daily.
Write as much as you can.
When you're done writing, start editing.
If you find something is missing while you're editing, then stop editing and start writing. When you're done, then start editing again.
Once you're done writing and editing both, then get someone else to proof it.
Correct your errors, and self-proof it again. Then send it out to someone else to proof again.
It doesn't have to be perfect. But it does need to get written.
If it's longer than 2500 words, you can publish it on Amazon. Some people call it a short story. But if that's all the longer your book is, then it's a book.
That brings up another thing:
Quit comparing yourself to anyone else.
That just messes up your head.
You're an individual, so is everyone else. No two people are the same. No two authors write the same book (not any honest authors, anyway.)
Your point is to write, then edit, then proof, then publish.
If you want to write another book after that point, then start again.
But you'll never get to your second book until you finish your first one.
And if you only have a single book in you, that's fine. Most people do. But you have to live your own life.
“Begin with the end in mind.” said Socrates.
So start writing already.
(From Chapter 3)
