[Podcast] How to Start Writing a Book

There are a thousand clichés about how to take the first step of a long journey.

But they all have one thing in common: you have to start. In this episode, we offer up a series of tips on how to start writing a book, including fighting through and overcoming the so-called imposter syndrome.

At some point, no matter how insecure we feel, the only way to overcome our emotion is the physical act of writing something down. Here are some ideas of how to Start Writing a Book:

1. Give yourself permission to not be perfect--and just write something.  I’m a perfectionist (Melissa). Or at least I’m really afraid of not doing something well. That means I often don’t start something. I just say I’ll do it. 

When I’m not worried about performance, it’s easier to just write.

This release from the chokehold of perfection only comes with a mindset shift. You have to make the shift from thinking I can’t and that it won’t be great and that I am some kind of imposter to the mindset of I'm just going to do it--even if it isn't praiseworthy.

2. Start small.  In one of our Roadtrippers calls, someone was challenged by the idea of writing a mere 50 words a day. That’s not overwhelming.

If you wrote 50 words a day for 365 days, that’s 18,250 words. If you wrote 100 words a day, you’d have 36,500 words. That’s almost a book.

Of course, there will be days you won’t have time to write, or are sick, or just need a break. But imagine if you began to discipline yourself by writing small? You’d make progress. And begin to find your voice.

I (Melissa) developed a discipline of writing when I started writing 50- to 100-word posts on Instagram every day. It was writing, but because of word count limitations, I never felt the pressure of writing something long. In the process,  I figured out how to tell a story. I worked on my word choice. And I found my most natural writing voice.

If you’re struggling to write, maybe it’s because you have never really written before, and you need to just write more—and in smaller chunks. 

You can’t become a writer without writing. Writer’s write. So maybe start like I did and tackle a few longer social media posts each week. Work on crafting the post.

3. Write about what you're interested in - not what you think you should write. When you're sincerely interested in a topic, you'll find it easier to write.

When I write about vintage, for instance, I have a lot of ideas on the topic. Lots of stories to share. Lots of tips and knowledge. Because I was interested in it, it was easy to write about.

Maybe your interested in fly fishing, like Dave who wrote the book "The Fly Fisher's Book of Lists." Maybe you're interested in leadership strategies. Or cooking. Or your family history. Whatever your area of interest is, start there. You'll have easy access to ideas.

You may have a book idea in you, but maybe first you need to just develop the practice of writing. And developing a practice is easier when you are interested in what you’re writing. When it’s relatively easy.

When you start your book writing journey, you’ll need to really wrestle with if what your writing really interests you enough to sustain you through the project. If you’re not passionate about the topic, it will be difficult to persevere and complete the book.

4. Develop a weekly - or daily habit - of writing. This mode isn’t for everyone. But you’ll make progress if you develop a routine—set a time and honor it.

One author in Roadtrippers sets aside Friday mornings from 8 am to noon to write…every single week. He wants to write numerous books in the next few years, so he is disciplining himself to stick with it.

Some writers set word count goals, even if they aren’t working on a book project. One author whom we interviewed strives for 1000 words a day, except on Sundays. It doesn’t matter what she’s writing about or for, she just writes. Some days the ideas flow better. Often new ideas will emerge as she struggles.

The key is to put writing on your calendar, and as another Roadtripper said, “honor that time on the calendar”—like you would a dinner date with a friend.

Or make it a small habit: “I’m going to write once a week for 15 minutes on Saturday morning at 8 AM.”

5. Join a writing or accountability group.  I just started exercising at a boutique gym. I’m paying good money for it. And I joined with a friend.The money makes it painful to miss. And going with a friend makes me less inclined to bail.

When you invest in a paid writing group, you have some skin in the game, so you will take it seriously. It also helps to know you’re not alone. Someone is struggling right there beside you.

 You can make progress with writing, by being in a group. That’s the idea behind Roadtrippers.  

 6. Take an online writing workshop or course.  Just Google "online writing course," and you'll find there is no shortage of paid or free resources to strengthen your writing chops--and give you the confidence to move forward.

Maybe pick one area you are struggling with, like telling a great story. Lean into the course and do the exercises. Don't be passive, and you'll find some energy to move your writing forward.

 7.  Did we mention, start small? If you haven’t written much, don’t start with a book. Start with a blog. A social media post. A magazine article for the organization you are part of. 

This helps you understand the difference between short form and long form writing, and what it takes to write a chapter for a book. You'll also learn from doing how to sustain an argument and engage the reader.

So start small. Start writing. And soon you will be making headway on your book journey.