you can't write a book in 7 days
you can't write a book in 7 days
But you can start one just in time for the eclipse
Let's explore astrologically guided writing strategies to jumpstart your book writing journey, no matter how long it may take.
Hello, Hello Cheerful Writer!
Have you ever seen the online trend that promises you can "write a book in 7 days!"?
This statement feels very Aries, Eclipse, and Mercury Retrograde - chaotic and overpromising.
And, yes, while this sounds appealing, in all my years in the literary world, I can say it’s just not true. That said, I wanted to learn how others tell the internet searchers of the world "How to write a book" and "How long it takes to write a book."
Here’s what I found: The news is helpful and also confusing.
So let’s delve into these questions and discuss how to begin (or restart) that novel, memoir, or self-help book lingering in your drawer. More importantly, let’s address the common frustration of "Why is this taking so long?" accompanying the book writing process.
Now is the perfect time to begin writing a book, especially with a solar eclipse event on the horizon. This celestial event is poised to ignite your creativity and inspire new ideas.
Today, let's start by addressing a common question: "How long does it take to write a book?"
The answer is simple: It takes a long time and a lot of dedication. You can’t “get rich quick” with finishing a book.
I’d say a book takes about 9 months at the very minimum. I have a friend who took 8 years to finish her first novel.
Here’s why it takes time: Writing a book requires preparation, planning, and execution. Timing of finishing the book depends on how much time you have in a day to work on your book and what kind of book you’d like to write.
I’m going to break down the process over the next emails to help you begin your journey. Take everything in stride and take your time with each step.
Ready? Here we go!
Step one:
Define Your Goal: Determine what you want to achieve with your book. Are you writing to entertain, educate, inspire, or something else?
At first glance, this first step of 10 steps to book writing, seems fairly simple. But when you dig into the process of defining your goal, you’ll see it can be more complicated.
Defining your goal is a crucial first step in the book-writing process, as it sets the foundation for everything that follows. Here are some key aspects to consider when defining your goal:
Purpose: Determine why you are writing this book. Are you aiming to entertain, educate, inspire, or provoke thought? Understanding your purpose will help you stay focused and ensure your book resonates with your intended audience.
Audience: Identify your target audience. Who do they want to read your book? Understanding your audience's needs, interests, and preferences will help you tailor your content to better meet their expectations.
Message: Clarify the main message or theme of your book. What do you want readers to take away from your book? Your message should be clear, compelling, and consistent throughout your writing.
Scope: Define the scope of your book. How broad or narrow will your focus be? Will you cover a broad overview of a topic or delve deeply into a specific aspect? Understanding the scope will help you structure your book effectively.
Goals and Objectives: Set specific, measurable goals for your book. What do you hope to achieve with your book? Whether it's reaching a certain number of readers, gaining recognition in your field, winning a Pulitzer or simply completing a personal project, having clear goals will help you stay motivated and track your progress.
Personal Motivation: Reflect on your motivation for writing this book. What drives you to write? Understanding your motivations will help you stay committed and passionate about your project, especially during challenging times. And there will be challenging times…
Long-Term Vision: Consider the long-term impact you want your book to have. How do you envision your book contributing to your overall goals and aspirations? Having a long-term vision will help you stay focused on the bigger picture and guide your decisions throughout the writing process.
Follow these 7 steps to get started on your book and you’ll find that even Mercury Retrograde and the upcoming solar eclipse won’t hinder your progress. This month, Mercury is encouraging us to have a plan (and a backup plan) to finish what we start, clearing the path for us to move forward on the best course of action.
Defining your goal is the first step to that success.
I'd love to hear from you! Was this helpful? Hit reply and let me know what you’re biggest takeaway is - all the emails land directly in my inbox!
Happy Writing,
Licia
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