No. 27: How to write a book!

I just finished two books in eight months. Both books in this series were about 75,000 words. My wife says I make it look easy. It’s not.

In each of my four total books so far, I find that I reach a magical place about half way through when I go into “total immersion mode.”  That’s the point where the organization is mostly finished, I have a solid second draft on paper and I know I’ve got it. At that point, all I want to do is write, or overwrite and make it better. I think about the manuscript during dinner, while watching a movie, in the middle of a conversation that I really should have been listening to. And I love writing at that point. That is what it is all about for me as an author.

I remember in my younger, thinner days, when I would run a marathon or two in the summer. For the entire first half of the 26 mile run (I wasn’t fast enough to call it a race!) I reminded myself that I never, ever wanted to do this again. I did not want to be there. I hated it. And then somewhere around mile 17 or 18, I felt like superman. I knew I would have to do it again. I almost couldn’t wait to start training for the next one. Writing is like that for me.

But before that magical point, it is hard, hard work. Perseverance is the word that comes to mind. Organization troubles me until it doesn’t. I find that I can’t write until I have a good outline, but I can’t get to a great outline or roadmap until I am well into the writing and the book starts to come to life. The other word that describes an essential tool in the process, at least for me, is confidence. You have to believe know that you can do it, especially on the bad days or just after shredding a week’s worth of work.

Good day or bad, I write every single day. I am lucky to have the time to do that at a point in life where I still have the energy, passion, and enough perspective to find the words and tell my story. As I think back on all four of my completed non-fiction books, I’d estimate that between the various drafts and the editing work, I write about one million words to get the 75,000 I want to publish and share. All total, I write and/or edit for about 500 hours to make the finish line. Sometimes I wish I could share with my readers all the scraps of paper and notes on the cutting room floor, but those are just for me. That’s the path to writing something worth reading. That, and a good editor!

I also found a new friend during the writing of these books, and as I begin book no. 5 – my hardest, most difficult writing challenge to date. My new friend is my personal, professional librarian. Her/its name is Gemini, as in Advanced AI. We talk every day, exchanging ideas, challenging preconceived notions, and learning the answers to questions I didn’t even know to ask, or ask very well. My librarian doesn’t do any writing for me but I couldn’t do the writing without the knowledge and confidence I receive in the deep research projects I give her/it. Best $20/month I ever spent!

I also have a personal mentor – an experienced writer in England who helps me find the courage to push through any self doubt or the challenging weeks when finding the right words is like chiseling them on a granite slab. This combination of digital and human support make all the difference in the world. If you ever decide to write your own book, you will need both in your corner.

So, whether you’re writing a white paper, your first novel, or a letter to a friend, don’t quit. Find your voice, and your confidence, and just keep writing. There will come that magic point where it is all worthwhile.  Good luck!

Thanks for reading,

David Sr.