So, I’m hurrying through the terminal on my way to catch a plane when I spot something interesting on the
moving walkway.
It's a man carrying a tuba.
(Granted, if I were carrying a tuba I wouldn’t want to walk either, but something about the image struck me as humorous. I think moving sidewalks are funny anyway. Add a tuba and I’m really smiling.)
And I was struck by the thought that, in some situations, you really can get to your destination without taking a single step.
Of course, writing a book isn’t one of them.
To write and publish a book, you’ve got to take a step.
And
the next one.
And the one after that.
Just like Bilbo Baggins.
As soon as Tolkien’s plucky hobbit realized he wanted an adventure, he had to do something. He had to take an action: First he chased the dwarves. Then he got on a pony. Then he outwitted cave
trolls…
There were lots of times Bilbo could have gone home, gotten distracted, or just stayed put.
But he kept planting one big hairy hobbit foot in front of the other until he reached his goal.
The result? History was made and lives were transformed (including his own).
The 8 Stages of YOUR Book Writing Journey
Where are you on YOUR journey? I want to help you take the next step, whatever that is. But before we talk about how to do that, let’s figure out where you are today.
There are 8 key stages of moving a book out of your head and into the hands of happy, grateful readers. I promise to explain the Venn diagram, Franklin formula, and 8 stages of production in future emails, but in the meantime, here's a snapshot:
1. Clarifying the "sweet spot" of your message or plot (a Venn diagram can help clarify this for nonfiction, and a wonderful conflict/resolution formula by Jon Franklin does magic for fiction and dramatic nonfiction.)
2. Identifying your tribe (you can publish your nonfiction book without existing connections, but you must follow a strategy to start building those connections right away! And while “building a platform” is often linked with
nonfiction, there are strategies for fiction authors as well).
3. Outlining your book
4. Perfecting your manuscript (or working with a writer/editor who is doing this for you)
5. Tackling the eight facets of book production
6. Distributing your book (a proven triad is online channels, brick-and-mortar stores, and events)
7. Telling your marketing story (and, even better, getting other people to tell your story)
8. Inviting people to engage with your message or offer
If you’re not moving through that list—if you’re stuck anywhere along the way—here’s my very best advice for you:
Be like Bilbo, pick up your feet (hairy or
otherwise), and take a next step.
Granted, sometimes the process isn’t as linear as what I’ve just given you. Occasionally the next step on a list isn’t the right next step in your unique situation.
Bilbo Had a Map—You Need One, Too
This is where I can help.
I’ve created a limited number of one-hour appointments in my schedule over the next three
business days (2 appointments today, 2 tomorrow, and 2 on Monday) to help qualified folks brainstorm their next-steps.
