How To Write a Book Fast?
Ok, I am finally going to write a book. I have a publisher arranged and I am raring to go.
I obviously suck at writing so like most things in life I have developed a system to complete this task. I wanted to get a little feedback from other writers and share what I’ve tried so far…
Step #1 I bought & read every book I could find on the subject at hand
Step #2 I have interviewed 6 experts in the field
Step #3 I have created a clever hook and title
Step #4 I wrote a sub-title explains the biggest benefit for the reader to buy and read book
Step #5 I created 20 blue index cards with chapter names
Step #6 I have created 20 cards with sub-headlines for each thought in each chapter
Step #7 I have written a one sentence reminder of what I want to say on the back of each card
Step #8 I have written a closing page
Step #9 I threw away 5 whole chapters and 5 thought cards from each chapter
Step #10 I have written the table of contents as burning questions
My plan is to pull out one of the cared at a time and write for no more than 10 minutes. That’s 38 hours of actual writing time. I should be able to complete my book in less than 30 days at this pace working on it part time
Questions:
One: Experienced writers, am I crazy? Will this work?
Two: What would you write about if you wrote a book?
Three: Do you want me to post about my progress
P.S. If anyone is interested in helping me with this project please contact me here or DM me on Twitter
Thanks for commenting, I NEED your input, lease help
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Hi, I really need some advice and don’t know where to ask.
I have incredibly awesome material for a book or more, It’s about my life. I am so busy with it and so much happens I don’t have time to actually write. I was wondering if there is such a thing as a voice recorder that could type the words. Or if I just record it everyday and then get an editor is that the way to go?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
How’s it going, Perry? Is the book done? I think your plan was a great one. I’m curious if it worked. I write and teach about writing books and getting them published. I also help people edit their books. So, I’m curious where you are in the process and if your process worked!
Yes you can do it. It really takes one to be disciplined. You almost need to wear two hats. One as the writer and the other as the writer's boss. Punch in and out. Take it seriously enough as if it were a real 9-5 job, but set the hours however many times a week with a real schedule and don't not show up for the job. If it were a real corporate job, you wouldn't just not show up for work. It needs to be treated as such.
Get a digital voice recorder and record what you have to say, then hire a professional editor to polish it up a bit and make sure it all makes sense.
Hi Perry,
I'm a professional writer with 16 published books under my belt.
Before starting any non-fiction book, I write an outline. That's the bare-bones of the book and helps me work towards the goal of a completed book. Is it non-fiction you're writing? It half the battle if it's a subject you're knowledgable in, and will reduce your research time considerably.
You also haven't mentioned whether this will be a print book, or an ebook. Are you publishing traditionally or are you self-publishing? These variations make a huge difference as to the road you follow.
It usually takes me around one week writing full-time to write a non-fiction book. I have some articles and other resources on this site that may help: http://niche.writer2writer.com/
You've been given a lot of good advice here, and here's mine:
Just do it.
Just write until the book is finished. If it sucks….? That's what editing is for. Get your story down, then fix it in the editing process.
I agree with Cheryl on most of her points. But I DO want to point out:
Perry HAS an outline. That’s what his notecards are, with chapter names and subheads and one-sentence reminders.
That same essential system has served me well for 35 years and through 25 published books.
Hope Perry has responded, deep down in these comments, with his progress update.
His plan is solid, so long as he moves straight ahead with it and doesn’t let anything distract him sidewise or turn him backwards. That’s where writer’s get stuck. You’ve got to rip out a draft, no matter how awful it, as Cheryl said. Then you have something to work with.
Best wishes,
ken winston caine
i like to joint
I am writing a serious non-fiction book, and while I think you have to do whatever works for you, I have my own methods:
I have a list of chapters and each goes through five stages:
1) preliminary research
2) secondary research
3) first draft
4) sent out for comment and review
5) final draft
I find Liquid Story Binder XE an extremely valuable tool as it lets me keep track of everything without having to remember which stage each chapter is in, or worrying about losing notecards. The great thing is that it's portable and can be run off a USB drive so it's available wherever and whenever. So if I'm at a friend's house and an idea occurs to me, I can be off and running in a flash (bad pun intended). The other thing I like is that it works with a huge variety of writing styles, and has tools like outlines, checklists, global or local attributes, and saves the work as easily accessible rtf files. You can also add sound clips or pictures to the chapters (great for my book on music!).
Here's the website, with a 30-day free trial: bit.ly/cPdan
I've heard prolific writers say that what they do is sit down everyday,
and they write maybe a couple pages or a certain word count each day.
When they reach their goal, whether it takes 5 minutes or 5 hours, that's it.
They're finished for the day. They get on with their life.
The key is to do it EVERYDAY.
With that approach, the book gets written.
Your plan sounds like a good plan.
Good Luck!
You’re right. That is the only way I can motivate myself to write a book. I love writing, but it’s not an easy thing to do continuously. I love Perry’s idea. I will be interesting to know if it works.
That is a solid plan. You planned your work and now time to work the plan. As long as you are focused on your goal and take action and commit to the cycle of your project you are going to finish it with no problem. You should definitely post your progress, it commits you to action and it inspires others to do the same thing.
Perry,
Many writers use an outline to help them organize their writing. Your "system" should work well for that. Sometimes, however the static nature of such a system can lead to uncertainty over the best ordering of ideas/concepts. Something I haven't read in the other comments involves a technique similar to what you did with your "Social Media Matrix Report". Try this. On a blank piece of paper, draw a circle around a few words that describe the main subject of your book/story. Next, relas and allow related ideas to flow naturally from your thoughts. Place them randomly on the page and circle each one. Finally, draw lines connecting circles that relate to one another. You may discover a better progression for your ideas or even come up with some additional thoughts on your subject.
Hope this helps.
You've inspired me to get off my butt and start my book (wait a minute I guess i need to spend more time on my butt typing huh?)
Would love to follow your progress! Thanks for putting this out therea
This method would totally work. I'm almost finished writing a non fiction book I did in 5 min chunks. It still requires work but it gets you a very workable first draft. My time was so limited so I focused on 5 min chunks. At the end of the 5 mins I put the pen down even in mid sentence… This meant that when I picked up the pen again I just kept running with it. It really works. Writing like this extracts the information from you. Even if your writing for the waste paper basket, you will be amazed at how quickly you'll finish if you break it down into very achievable chunks of time. Cant wait to read it.
Perry, from the intro it looks like you're writing a "how to" and for that genre I think it look like a good outline. For other non-fiction it could do as well.
Of course for novel writing–not so much–since character development and other factors will enter in.
If your goal it to write pretty much in the same style as you talk and do videos it should go fairly fast. If not framing sentences, cutting out unneeded verbiage and what not will take more time.
Go for it and good luck! I'll buy your book
Sounds like a great plan for writing nonfiction, but not sure how it would work for fiction. Different writing processes for both in my experience.
Good luck with it.
Didn't realize the original post was put up so long ago. Just saw a link on Twitter.
I'm writing an ebook right now in fact, so it's good to see your outline for doing it.
I think the thing to remember is to just sit down and write without editing, just let it flow without worrying about grammar and punctuation and spelling, almost like stream of consciousness. Then after you get it all done go back and revise. All good writing is really revising what you've written and revising it some more. So there will be several drafts of your book until you get to the final one.
I'd also suggest getting and reading On Writing Well. That will help cut out the clutter. After reading this book I now read articles and books and see clutter that authors left in that could've been taken out to make the sentences and paragraphs a lot more concise and readable.
Much success.
Richard
I think its a GREAT idea! I wrote my first screenplay in 6 weeks… and had a plan pretty much like yours… its kind of like making a map and then following it to the mother lode!
Do let me know if I can be of any help, but more importantly, do keep us updated as to how you’re getting on!
Best of luck – break a keyboard!
Kim
Very similar steps that Jeff Johnson recommends for creating an info product. I watched a video of his where he says basically, buy the top 3 books on amazon, buy a couple info products in the same niche, read all of them…look for holes in the info products. Fill the holes, create a better product…market it.
I've been observing how other people write books and market them for some time now. I'd have to say one of the most genius marketers out their that I've seen when it comes to books it Joel Osteen, yep the smiley preacher guy.
He basically recycles everything he preaches and then puts it in a book then promotes it through a daily email devotional with an ad for his book on the left, then about 3 months later comes out with a workbook, then comes out with 1-2 short books… oh yeah and on his podcast and Facebook he's always promoting his products.
How does this translate… I would use social media to find out what people want to read about by looking at what they most tweet, blog and fb about and then have discussions with them to flesh it out so you can answer their questions.
Short and sweet i know. Can't wait until your book comes out and I'd like to read what you have. Saving up to be involved in one of your social media training programs.
Thanks for all the great info you share and for being so transparent. Take care!
This is an interesting topic for me, as I have been trying to write a book, for which I've done tons of research, for five years. It seem that whenever I meet a snag or mystery that I can't solve, I have to stop. My goal was to completely solve the mystery of Phillis Wheatley, daughter of George Washington, grandmother of G. W. Carver and possibly mother to a former first lady (hold something back). So, more power to us, I hope both you and I will get our books done. See you on Twitter. Ciao.
You sound like me–spend most of the time setting up the system and that usually cures me of my idea– I keed, I keed. Sounds workable – I like the chapter and subchapter idea–maybe each chapter have 3 (or so) points and for each point have 3 points – should fit in your structure and give you enough to keep the flow–most important – you like the plan so it will work
would love to help – let me know what you need
Perry, I strongly believe that you are most creative when you think outside the box and then establish a turn-key system, which is what you are trying to establish. This is a great step by step approach for content marketers to produce content as well… so not crazy at all. 2 steps I think if I were you , would have added , Step 3 to review the storyline when done and rearrange. Last step(s) review my copy by reading the book and ensuring you are excited and it inspires you, relates to you or maybe gives you more creative ideas.
Contact me if you need me to review the first draft and get some expert novelists/ writers involved.
Great system – I think that this would work for most people. However, like any system, the fatal flaw is that people have to actually do it! Seriously, though, I think that the mechanics of your system are solid and I've even taken a note from them myself. What's missing is the hard part: how to discover the burning passion that has the author wanting to write the book. That's where most people get stopped. If you create a system that helps anyone to discover the white-hot fire inside them, I'll buy a copy.
Dave Baldwin
Freelance Writer & Editor
Author of Pied Piper Entrepreneurship: Getting Your Customer to Initiate the Sale
http://BuyDavesBook.com/
thanks a lot perry. actually i dont know how create a book. this steps would be a lot. thanks again Perry
If you posted this 17 weeks ago shouldn't you be finished by now?
Roy
Hi Perry.
It’s a tried and tested method of writing a book. I’ve seen it advertised as ‘write a book in 14 days’ although I don’t think that included the prep time.
I’m sure you’ll do it in the scheduled time.
That said, I hate sticking to plans, which is why most of what I write takes far longer than it should! I’d like to think my way is more like ‘real writing’ but some very good writers are every bit as methodical as you.
Best part is, you’ve already got a publishing deal and an etablished fan base, plus marketing know-how. So you’ll probably have a bestseller, too
Good luck, though
Roy
Hey Perry,
Great to chunk things down like that and doing it like you’re planning a show or movie opening with deadlines. The index cards are a huge help as well as having succinct titles and sub-titles. It helps the brain see with more clarity rather than being overwhelmed with all the details. Don’t know if you use a Mac OS, but there’s a totally awesome software app that puts your writing into the formats of index cards that you can move around on a cork-board, does outline formats, and just about every way you can think with the click of a couple buttons. It makes simplicity out of something seemingly complex. It takes snapshots of every version so you can easily go back through your history if you deleted something better and is an amazing writing tool for people who want to get things done as fast as possible. It’s called Scrivener and you simply won’t believe the price. I’m not an affiliate or anything. I just use the software for everything and have turned many writer friends on to it who swear by it now. Anyway, love your work and look forward to more in the Near future with your new book. Best of luck, Garin
"My plan is to pull out one of the cared at a time"
Are we talking about friends and family or is this just a typo ?
Steve
http://www.lovelycolour.com
I have always written to a deadline. I set a date when I will finish and work to that.
Decide how long you want each chapter to be. Keep a word count so yo know where you are.
As you started 17 weeks ago – by the comments – where are you now?
I was luck – what I wrote was in demand and I self published.
J.
Hi Perry
Who am I to comment, that will be the thought of most people who read this because if writing was a doddle we all would be doing it. Whenever I write something even if it's only a letter or Email I break it down into chunks I can cope with and make sure it's right before I move on to the next. I'm sure that's not really a lot of help and to be fair I think most of us would probably learn more from you.
I am happy 2 see you out here. I hope 2 hear from you very soon
I believe that once you have those basic thoughts down it will make it much easier to expand them into a book. I want to write a life story, but don’t know how to organise it
Perry, Writers, I heard usually do not plan. They write what comes to their mind. Ofcourse their mind work 24 hrs on the book.
Planning, works good for text books. Your’s must be explicit stock. Eagerly waiting for a copy
Perry, you have already written the book and just do not know it. I have it all ready for you, just need your okay to publish it. But I need three things. You plan, your purpose and the potential it should hold. Launch day is in 30 days. Thanks, Fat Billy……
Six months ago I couldn't even spell "writer" Now I are one!
This is a process that should work.
I would suggest using a mind mapping tool like mindneister or Minjet to manage the outlining process. The Beauty of doing this in Mindjet is that you can export it to word and you will have the whole outline ready to go.
Let me know if I can help you get this setup.
It sounds like a great plan.
Yes, post your progress; that will be motivation fro you to keep up your pace.
How much help is needed? I might be able to assist and may know someone else who could assist, depending on what you need.
Yet again sharing with us your good simple systems do you know I managed a whole project in my day job using you coloured pot-it notes system now half my colleagues who thought I was mad are copying me
Great stuff Perry
1. Sounds like a really good plan. Perhaps, it's just a little more involved or organized than I'm doing it. Crazy is a relative term and perhaps you are crazy, but so are a lot of authors. What works best, is what helps you get your best most passionate work onto the page. As long as what you are writing about is of substance and merit, then what you write will be great.
2. I too have finally committed to writing a book. I've been toying with a couple of different fictional stories, that are actually writing themselves. 3 different ones, with two being the most active in my mind. One is a mystery suspense book, another is for the young adult market, with adventure and science fiction, while the 3, less prominent one is more fairy tale oriented.
But now instead of starting with the non-fiction books that I just keep putting off all the time, I'm going to write a non-fiction book first, called the 12 Step Method. I just developed something rather new and unique for business that really has the potential to help businesses of all sizes save tons of money and really direct what they are doing. Anyway, it's the basis for our entire business model (http://4ligo.com), so I've committed to turn it into a book. I may take a page from what you have done to get some of the facts to support everything, so thanks for sharing.
3. Seeing your progress, is always helpful for the rest of us.
*** OH, but what I want to know is how or where you found the publisher?? That's the info I want to see…. Care to share those tidbits with us??
Perry
Great methodology to break down the task into manageable chunks which should mean you can focus in on the key points and not get dragged off on too much of a tangent. Will be interesting to chart your progress and see the finished article, so please do post to update. All the best
Tom
Perry in the end a book is successful or not if it holds attention and concentrates focus. It is one thing to barely hold a readers attention and quite another to so absorb the reader that he/she goes into a higher state of focus while continuing to read.
Any time someone says "I could not put this book down" you know it was probably that kind of book — at least to that kind of reader.
Whether reading fiction or content I always appreciate an author who respects my emotional window defined by suspense and boredom at the extreme ends and keeps me bouncing around within that window without pushing me out the top for too long or letting me drop out the bottom.
As for methods of writing? Whatever works for you. How you get from A to B is not as important as getting there. Some people would go berserk using your approach and others should use structure like that. It amounts to what works for you. In the end it is the content and how it unfolds that makes the book. Not so much the means of capturing it — except of course that your means of capturing fits your thinking and style of taking action.
Interesting. Normally, I have nothing but disdain for people who claim to have some sort of "write your book painlessly in seven days" gimmick (for which they usually want your credit card number), but you've done this systematically and seem prepared to work your butt off. So…here goes.
- First, I'm supremely qualified to critique your idea. I'm a nonfiction ghostwriter by trade and I've written nearly 30 books in the last five years, some in as little as six weeks. That's only possible when you do what you've done: get incredibly organized. Structure is everything. Without it, you're wanking off and making little progress.
- Don't buy into this "you've got to wait for inspiration and write from your heart" crap. The people who give that advice are the would-be novelists who've never published anything. Yes, it's great if you can be driven by passion. But if you're a working writer with a contract and a deadline, sometimes you have to treat writing like the literary equivalent of rebuilding your car's engine: you roll up your sleeves, crack your knuckles, dive in and just get it done.
- One question I have: how fast a writer are you? You've got (according to my math) 2,280 of these 10-minute units, right? Even if you're an exceptionally fast writer, I doubt you can crank out more than 200 decent words in 10 minutes. That's a total of 45,600 words when you're finished. That's less than 150 pages in a finished and bound hardcover book. If you have a publishing contract, I suggest you find out if you have a minimum word deliverable. In the books I write, it's usually 70,000 words and up. If you need to produce more, you'll either have to write more hours per day or extend your 30 days.
- Chances are, you'll have to write longer anyway to give yourself time to a) think and b) suck. Some of what you write will be garbage and you'll delete it and start over. Also, you'll need to ponder and possibly research as you go. You've done some very solid prep work and planning, but assume the writing will take twice as long as you think. Plan on 60 days or at least 3 hours a day every single day. Every single day won't work out, either, by the way. Things come up, you get burnt out, etc. Plan on 45 days. If you hit your goal before that, bravo.
This is a sound methodology, by the way. I'm working on a book on making a living as a freelance writer, which I've done for 15 years, and I decided the best way was to start a blog. So I'm going 100 postings at about 600 words each, and when I get there, I'll have 60,000 words and 100 chapters and enough material for my book. Sure makes the process less painful.
Best of luck!!
Perry you have the makings of a good plan. I would say you are 75% there with this outline. The biggest obstacle is in the detail of the book. You have the skeleton – the chapters etc. but you need to flesh it out. This is the hardest part. I would suggest writing a chapter – not necessarily the first chapter and asking other people to comment on it.
I'd like to hear comments on your blog as to how the "system" works for you.
As a published author, I've been able to distill a few principles down to the core. Some of them echo practices by others above.
1. First, write each section from the heart, without editing. It will go quickly that way.
2. Later, edit with the ears and brain, objectively. Often, the next day is best, but never too close to the "heart part."
3. Remove anything that's unnecessary. Like sculpting an elephant: get a big rock and chip away everything that ain't elephant.
4. Read it out loud and make it as "real" from a conversational perspective as possible. This step is the most important in the process.
5. Let the spouse read it and take their suggestions seriously.
6. Let an uninvolved 3rd-party read it and take their suggestions seriously.
7. Repeat 1-6 for each section/chapter.
8. Finally, give it to a professional editor to clean up everything you just thought was already clean.
I don't think that there's any right or wrong way to write a book – it's whatever works for you personally. It sounds like you have a good system going. I've never written a book – just papers and essays for college. I tend to find the beginning and end the most difficult to write so I do that and the title last. Just remember to proofread it prior to publishing it. In my opinion, too many people tend to skip that step. Good luck!
Hi Perry
Good plan, I hope it goes well!
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http://www.easylinguistics.com
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