| Did you start writing your book and quit? Yes, I | | | | book. Beginning writers who make this mistake bore |
| know you're not a quitter. Like many of us, you may | | | | their readers with flat, lack luster writing. |
| be making some simple mistakes that block your | | | | Solution: Target your book audience. Create a profile |
| book's progress and success. Correct the following | | | | of your reader. Write down their complaints, their |
| mistakes; complete your book and prosper: | | | | needs and/or problems that your book solves. Write |
| Mistake 1 Failure to start small | | | | your book to that person. You will have tight |
| Inexperienced book writers aim too high. Don't try to | | | | focused copy that compels your reader to keep |
| fit everything you know or researched into a one big | | | | reading to the end. |
| book. Plan too big and you may end up with a | | | | Mistake 4: Failure to develop a sizzling title and back |
| monster book that turns your potential readers off. | | | | cover first |
| Remember many people in the new millennium are | | | | Most newbie book writers stall at this one. They |
| busy and impatient. They look for short, quick easy | | | | don't realize a hot title helps the author stay |
| reads. | | | | motivated. Writing the back cover first helps |
| Solution: Plan a short book first. If you have loads of | | | | crystallize your book's message. With a clear |
| interesting information, consider breaking your book | | | | message in front, you can write compelling copy that |
| into parts. Even a series of books is better than one | | | | draws your readers to keep reading. |
| large volume in the non-fiction genre. | | | | Solution: Develop a hot title and back cover first to |
| Mistake 2 Failure to educate oneself about book | | | | write tight focused copy that sells. A hot title includes |
| writing | | | | the top benefit of the book. It is usually short, clear |
| Many novice book writers fail to educate themselves | | | | and/or tells a story. |
| about book writing. If you've never traveled this road | | | | Mistake 5Failure to keep writing in the midst of |
| before, enroll in a book writing course. If you have | | | | everyday life |
| little time, sign up for an email course to jumpstart | | | | Many writers believe you have to get away from |
| your writing. Invest in your book project by hiring a | | | | everything to write a successful book. No you don't. I |
| professional editor to edit your work. | | | | know several novelist and non-fiction book writers |
| Solution: Invest time to learn about book writing. A | | | | who had to write during a long commute to get their |
| client of mine said, "I want to invest in my work but | | | | best book written and out to the world. They |
| I have no budget to start with." No worries; more | | | | accomplished it because they systematically worked |
| book writers than you know have started with a low | | | | on their book until it was done. |
| to no-string budget. Enroll in free book writing | | | | Solution: Avoid marathon writing. In the midst of your |
| courses. Invest time in learning to self-edit your work | | | | busy life, designate your time to write (work on your |
| until you can afford to hire a professional. | | | | book) with a goal to completion. |
| Mistake 3 Failure to target your audience | | | | You may not be making all of these mistakes. Yet |
| If you fail to pinpoint who you are writing for, your | | | | one or two will stop your book dream in its tracks. |
| chapters will lack focus. Your copy will fail to connect | | | | Your audience is waiting. Implement the above |
| with readers. If you do manage to hook your | | | | solutions, get your book written, release it to the |
| readers, most won't make it to the end of your | | | | world and prosper. |