The process of writing a book has different sublevels that demand commitment on the part of the writer. Each stage of the writing process requires careful attention given to it so that the writer can get the best result.
Even the most skilled authors can fall victim to errors along the way. It is possible to find yourself entangled in a web of thoughts, unsure whether to remove or add certain elements. However, it doesn’t have to be a daunting experience.
In this blog, we discuss five things you shouldn’t do while writing your book.
- Sharing Unrelated Ideas:
Drifting off track often occurs when a writer gets to a chapter in which they might have had many experiences. They begin to talk about things that might look similar to the topic but, when accessed, would be unrelated.
Beta readers have, over time, helped writers and authors save time by removing some ideas that they felt were relevant to their book but, in reality, were not needed.
Sometimes as a writer or an author, you can get caught up in the moment and might share something you feel should be in your book without knowing that it is not important to the topic under consideration. You must always ensure you stay focused on the purpose of the book and avoid straying off.
- Avoid Inadequate Research:
Why research while writing? No matter how knowledgeable you are as a writer on a specific topic that your book is focused on, never ignore researching everything you put down in every chapter as new information always emerges now and then.
The purpose is to make sure that you are giving the best with every word that you pen down. Research helps you to know if what you knew yesterday is still valid as of the moment you would want to share the information you have in mind.
- Avoid Losing Sight of Readers:
Adequate focus must be given to the needs of the readers at every stage of the book.
Aside from staying focused on the book’s purpose, sometimes the focus can drift suddenly from those you are writing the book for to probably yourself or just anyone besides those who need the book.
It is like writing a book for cooks, and suddenly, you go off track and start addressing tasters and consumers. Always stay with words, ideas, and points that are directed to the target readers.
- Avoid Waiting for Inspiration:
It can be tempting trying to wait for a trigger, prompt, or some inspired ideas to begin writing a chapter, or page. That is why outlining is very important so that when ideas are not flowing on a certain chapter, you pause and move to write on another chapter. There is no best time to start writing or continue writing. Every minute and hour of the day should be utilized for writing.
- Avoid Procrastination:
Procrastination causes delay and can abort purpose.
This is why many books are yet to be finished. These words, “I will write it later”, have held many authors from finishing a project, letting it linger on for a longer period than it should.
The best way is to have multiple options on where to write that can be synchronized when it is time to edit.
Conclusion
Book writing, from the idea stage to publishing, is a journey that requires full attention and focus, with every stage prioritized as being important. A lot needs to be in place to make sure that every aspect of the central message of the book is well attended to with no exclusions.