Richard, I don't know how to get started
I wasn't very good at writing papers in school
I can't type
None of my friends are interested in my book idea
One of the quotes from one of my books reads: “I once met someone who told me he’d been working on a book for the past 3 years… I told him to pick another topic.”
Now let me also distinguish fiction from non-fiction. Fiction is about creativity – - a dance between art and story. Non-Fiction, self-help books, how to books, and so on are informational. And while some may refer to any type of writing as creative, it is easy to see how fiction would require far more creativity than how to prevent dishonest mechanics from taking advantage of consumers (Hit the Brakes on Car Repair Rip-Offs).
If you are working on a fiction piece it will take whatever time it takes. It still shouldn’t take 3 years. Either your story excites you or it doesn’t. And if it doesn’t excite you – - it’s FOR SURE not going to excite anyone else. My “pick another topic” remark was about this, not about criticizing the person. As with eating right or exercising I commend any person doing anyTHING because something is still better than nothing.
So how about a few Answers to some Questions I’ve received.
Q) Richard, I don’t know how to get started.
A) You MUST choose a topic. Pick something you know – - but better yet, pick something you LOVE. Picture you are talking to a stranger about your work. For many people, the stranger will have heard enough within 30 to 45 seconds. But I once met a former Navy SEAL, we were talking for almost 40 minutes and it seemed like 5. His stories were kool and entertaining. By writing about your love, you don’t have to be the best writer in the world, your love of the topic will shine through and grab people’s attention. There are 2 sections in my program that work you through topic development. It’s fast and easy.
Q) I wasn't very good at writing papers in school.
A) Were you not very good at writing papers? OR were you not very good at reading some boring book then writing about that book? You see, I wasn't very good at reading and writing about boring stuff, but when my teacher turned me loose to write about whatever I wanted – - I cruised. Now maybe every word wasn't perfectly spelled and every sentence wasn't perfectly structured, but that's what editors are for. Even people who got "A"s on their school papers would still use editors if they were writing a book. So picture in school you could have written about ANYTHING you wanted, sports, hanging out with friends, movies, music – - whatever. And picture that when you were finished, you could hand your work to 2 or 3 teachers (other than yours) who would then correct your work BEFORE you turned it in to your teacher. Would you have gotten an A? You bet! Would it have been easy? Absolutely!
Writing a book is you writing or speaking about a topic you love. Someone else then comes in and cleans it up for you. Our job isn't editing, it's getting our thoughts and ideas onto a recorder or a piece of paper. The detail work is performed by others. My system helps you to identify your topic and how to develop that topic in a pain-free manner.
Q) I can't type.
A) You don't need to! One of the greatest ways of "writing" is now hitting full stride. That way is actually speaking into a digital recorder, then merely having that recording transcribed by someone. Once you get the completed manuscript, you give it a quick once-over and send it out for editing. How unbelievably simple is that?? My program spells out the products you will need and the resources for obtaining the transcribing services at a reasonable price.
Q) None of my friends are interested in my book idea.
A) Let me ask you, how many of your friends have written a book? This really is a different discussion for a different day, but you need to understand, writing a book (especially for someone who has never done it before) is a form of growth. When we attempt to grow in life – - whether by losing weight, going back to school, or writing a book, our family and friends see this and think, "If Sam goes back to school, she's going to meet someone and leave me." "If Travis loses weight, he's going to find another girlfriend." 9 times out of 10, the reason no one is interested in your book is because they are unconsciously afraid that you will leave them. These comments are their attempts to keep you at their level and maintain the status quo. Go on Amazon or visit your local book store. If there are other titles on your topic, then your topic is in demand. Live your dream and write your book!