“I don’t have time to write!”
“I don’t have my outline completed so I cannot write my book.”
“My book needs to be PERFECT before I release it into the world!”
“I don’t know all the details yet – I need to wait and know every detail before I begin writing.”
Have you heard of these excuses before? Have you said them yourself? As a avid writer myself and the author of three books, I have heard all of these statements and more. I call these statements Writing Myths because that is exactly what they are – myths. Today inside of this post, I want to debunk these myths so you can get on with your writing journey and join in on the NaNoWriMo and get your book out there!
Writing Myth #1: “I don’t have time to write!”
This myth came from hearing about how authors spend 8-10 hours a day writing inside of their book. Who has time for that?! If I don’t, then I know you don’t either! You probably have a business (or are working), a family, and a life to live and sitting down for that long exhausts you before you can even begin writing! What is a person to do?
I am going to let you in on a secret on how I wrote two books in less than a year without spending even an hour writing every week: You just need to write in 10-15 minute increments 2-3 times a week. You do not need 8-10 hours to write if you can only give 10 minutes two or three times a week.
Writing Myth #2: “I don’t have my outline complete, so I cannot write my book.”
I have never used an outline in my three books I have published. For me, an outline is unimportant. Think of outlines like Pirates of the Caribbean Parley rule: “Parley is more like guidelines than actual rules.” Don’t use an outline as the anchor, rather use the outline as a guide that can change when you want to sail in a different direction.
Writing Myth #3: “My book needs to be PERFECT before I release it into the world!”
I talked to my friend, Traci Bogan, who is the author of five books and I believe she puts it wonderfully: “People aren’t looking for perfection, but rather the essence and inspiration of the stories and completion [of your book].” People don’t need perfect, they need your story DONE! People will forgive a misspelled word or a lack of flow in a small section if you are speaking from your heart and being authentic rather than fake and pretending to have it all together.
People can spot pretenders and that is why they crave authenticness. Be you and be true to yourself while writing and don’t worry so much about that misspelled word.
Writing Myth #4: “I don’t know all the details yet – I need to wait and know every detail before I begin writing.”
Did you know that I am writing a book right now that I don’t have all the details to? Creativity is a funny thing – it comes to me when I least expect it and it gives me only snippets of things rather than the entire story. The more I write the scenes I know what will happen, it gives me a better picture of the gaps I need to fill and how the story will unfold.
You don’t need the details – the details will come to you when Creativity sees fit for you to have them. But in the meantime, trust the process.
Which brings me to introduce my latest webinar that I want to get you into! Are you a creative who is looking for another outlet to promote your material and your thoughts on the creative process for your particular art? Are you wondering how to begin blogging and making money from it (without those pesky ads?)? Are you wanting to show off your talent and grow an audience at the same time?
May I introduce you my newest webinar, Blogging made Easy for Creatives with host, Richard Keller, author and publisher! During this webinar, we are going to answer how to build an audience, how to write to grow your audience and how to make money in the process! I am excited about this because Richard, owner and founder of Wooden Pants Publishing, is awesome and so much fun to work with! You need to be on this webinar if you’re in the creative field and you’re wanting to expand it through an online presence! Don’t miss out because we are ONLY ALLOWING 50 Participates to be on the webinar! Sign up below!
