Carolyn’s Advice Featured on the Nonfiction Authors Association Blog - Again!
Honored to be included in the roundup, “How should someone go about writing their first book? Do you have any tips for getting a manuscript written?” today!
“I’ve wanted to publish a book since I was a kid, but I always found an excuse not to. I highly recommend setting a goal for yourself- maybe about a year out. I decided I wanted to be a published author by age 40, setting a deadline about a year in advance. This existing deadline made tracking the goal easy. I also recommend creating accountability for yourself, either with friends and family, or financial (paying for a class, paying in advance for editing, donating to a cause you disagree with if you miss a deadline, etc.).
I was resistant to outlining my book in advance, but I found that it was critical for writing the chapters or sections I found more difficult. When writing felt like a slog, referencing the notes I had taken when I was more excited about the topic helped me feel energized again. It also provided a solid structure that excited my content and development editor, resulting in fewer structural edits.
Carolyn Illman is the author of The Self-Aware Interview: Essentials for Every Enneagram Type.