You’ve heard these before, right?
“Everyone has a book in them.”
“Don’t die with the music in you.”
These are common sayings for a reason… Because they’re true.
But so many books – so many great ideas – never come to life.
Some people don’t know where to start.
Some people start, but get overwhelmed.
Some people think they can’t write a book, or that no one will read it.
Let’s get that one out of the way real quick. We live in the information age. And a book is your business card in the information age.
Everyone has something meaningful to share. Don’t feed the doubts!
Not just for your own sake. If you don’t share your unique wisdom, you’re doing the world a big disservice.
Writing a book isn’t as hard as most people think. But, then again, it’s not for the feint of heart.
If you have some guidance, and are driven by inspiration, you can write a book within a few months.
What I’ve Seen
I’ve written over 20 books. Some as a ghostwriter.
So this is based on direct experience.
However, what’s more important is that I’ve helped dozens of people write books too.
Seeing how other people approach it, and where they struggle, is what inspired me to write this.
This will save you months, or even years of time — and upgrade the quality of your book as well.
4 Steps To Write A Book
Step 1: Idea
A book starts as an idea.
Here’s the thing. You need to believe in the idea wholeheartedly. You need to be passionate enough about it to follow through and bring it to fruition.
The idea should light you up.
I recommend spending some time in solitude and acquaint yourself more with the idea (or to receive a new idea). You can just contemplate it, journal about it, etc. Treat the idea like a friend, because it is.
Now here’s the action step. Summarize your idea into 1-2 sentences, like an informal elevator pitch. This is called a focus statement.
Basically, you want your focus statement to include two things:
1: What the book is about
2: The main benefit
For example: This book provides 5 spiritual principles of the Information Age to help you maximize your freedom and fulfillment.
This helps you frame the subject matter of your book and keep you focused. This way you don’t get overwhelmed or go off on too many tangents.
Don’t obsess over it though. You can always change your focus statement as you go.
Step 2: Outline
This is where so many people make a BIG mistake.
They either have a vague outline or no outline at all.
Then guess what happens? They either never start writing (because they don’t know where to start), or they get stuck.
If you don’t want to add another tombstone to the Graveyard of Unwritten Books, outline-outline-outline.
To streamline writing a book, and actually finish it, you need a detailed outline.
Here’s how to create a good outline:
1: Write down all of the big topics (as bullet points)
2: Arrange them in a logical sequence
3: Write sub-topics under the main topics
4: Include any resources you want to include or explore
An outline isn’t static either.
I view it as a living document that evolves as I go. Every time I get an idea, or find something relevant, I include it in the outline.
The more care you put into your outline, the easier it is to write the book.
Your outline becomes the structure that guides the flow of your writing.
This is how the dance of masculine and feminine energy works with writing a book. Your structure is the masculine/yang component. Your creative inspiration is the feminine/yin component. And they come together to birth a new book into the world.
Step 3: First Draft
This is where you actually write.
If you have a good outline, all you need to do is flow within that light structure.
Now here’s the key to writing your first draft…
WRITE EVERY DAY.
Schedule a time every day, set a timer and just write.
You need to commit to writing every day. I can’t emphasize this enough.
Besides not having a good outline, lack of consistency is the other big factor that blocks people from writing a book.
Commit to a 20-60 minute block every day and just write.
Put your inner critic aside and let the words flow. It doesn’t have to be great. That’s what editing is for. Plus, when you just let yourself flow, sometimes you get into an incredible flow state and channel some wisdom that blows your own mind.
So again, commit to writing every day.
You’ll be surprised by how much you write over the course of just a few weeks by doing this.
And if you have a good outline, you won’t get overwhelmed or lost on tangents.
Step 4: Edit
This is where you make it good.
I recommend editing in four phases:
1: Content – Did you include everything you wanted to? Should you cut anything out? Does the order make sense?
2: Voice – How does it sound? What kind of tone do you want to convey?
3: Grammar – Edit for grammar and spelling
4: Experience – Read it from the perspective of a reader. How’s the reading experience?
Then you can send it off to another editor if you really want the book to be polished.
After that, your book is fully written and ready to go.
Let’s summarize the book writing process quickly:
1: Idea
2: Outline (go in depth!)
3: First draft (write every day!)
4: Edit
Don’t fall for the doubts and overwhelm.
With these simple steps, you’ll have a book written in just a few short months.
Now, if you want some help applying this…
Free Book Writing Workshop
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, I’ve got something for ya…
A free, on-demand workshop to help you get started with your book.
By the end of it, you will have:
- A clearer idea of what your book will be
- An initial outline
- A roadmap to writing your book
Check it out here: Book Writing Workshop
There’s more too.
Step-By-Step 90 Day Book Writing Program
If you want my full system to write your book, check out Divine Write.
It has EVERYTHING I know and practice when it comes to writing a book.
Learn more here: Divine Write
Much Love,
Stephen Parato
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