The temptation when writing a book is to edit as you go along.

Don’t do it!

This is how it goes (wrong):

✍️ ✍️ ✍️ You start on chapter 1 – writey, writey, writey – come across a bit of research, go googling, lose train of thought and add a whole new dimension to your book…

😕 😕 😕 Next day you come back, start editing chapter 1, try to work out where you were headed with a major point, go back through your notes, remember you didn’t send a proposal to a client…

🤔 🤔 🤔 Next day, start editing chapter 1 again – it’s getting really polished now, but you still can’t remember what that bit was you thought of in the middle of the night, ehmmm

Three weeks later, chapter 1 is mega, you’ve synonymed the pants off it, you’ve smoothed the transitions, your stories are bloody brilliant

🤬 🤬 🤬 Time to start writing chapter 2 – now you remember that point you needed to cover in chapter 1 – flipping heck! Rewrite chapter 1.

Continue like this until you run out of time, energy or arsed!

💥 This chaos happens for 3 reasons:
1. you don’t have a writing outline, you’re pantsing
2. you don’t have a writing discipline, you’re making it up as you go along
3. you don’t have book constraints, you’re doing this alone

🪜Fixes:
1. start with a working outline, get it tested, create a writing outline, get it tested – now enjoy the writing process!
2. use the XXX method, the 3 handstands habit and a tolerations list – write now and edit later
3. use constraints for word count, time spent, and have a non-negotiable deadline with your coach – get it finished!

😻 Then you can enjoy the writing process without accidentally watching cat videos! Miaow! (or is that just me)

Ciao for now!
Debs

PS: Join the next cohort if you want to get your book written, published and read –  there are a few spaces remaining – let’s set up a time to speak!
PPS: Join the conversation on LinkedIn if you have experience of this yourself!