My statement of intent written and posted, I planned and divided the proposed e-book into ten chapters and aimed for fifty pages. As always, the original idea lost its appeal and I had not the speck of an idea in mind to replace it.
The relief was incredible. No need to stress out over one more impossible project. And then came:
- emails from friends wondering how I was getting on
- the joyful discovery of how to make little flip books free
- the grand idea
Grand ideas, as we all know, are always other people's. ( Our own come overnight and vanish on waking.) And my grand idea was certainly triggered by someone else's thoughts.
Motivation through Blogs
I doubt if much else is as motivating as reading random blogs. Cross fertilization of ideas,
irritation at ill-conceived assumptions, the emotional tug of other writing all demand a response.
Before I knew it, a comment I had made on a writing blog suddenly filled my mind with possibilities for expansion and eureka, my book sprang into mind.
Motivated through blogging, the book will appear through blogging, a section or so per week, till all is done. Yay!
If you are a self-critical writer, never happy till you have achieved perfection, create for yourself a secret blog until you are ready to reveal your work to the world or simply to your friends. But regular blogging will force you into the habit of working regularly and keep the writing muscles exercised.
Motivation through Technology
I am still enchanted by the flip books and have been looking into several more providers including issuu.com
And if you're looking for further motivation, check out How to Get Your Manuscript Finished The author is Rowdy Rhodes of Freelance Writing Organization International
Note for gadget lovers::
Rowdy is offering the instant writing resources toolbar as a free download AND as an incentive writers can use for themselves as a free giveaway to their own blog subscribers.
The instant access help desk is a great idea too.
Motivation through Accountability
Tell everyone you know--and everyone you don't know--that you're writing a book and then it has to happen.
It's Read an Ebook Week from March 4-10 (or all next month in Canada),
Grab some of the lovely banners to promote it on your site, if you have one.
And make it a goal to have at least one ebook of your own ready for this event next year.
Ebook gift
Just in, in case you'd rather read than write : The Tulip Kiss by Elysabeth Eldering, free today and tomorrow at Amazon.
It's also on Amazon UK--don't know about the others.
Remember, by downloading and liking, you are helping ebook authors in the rankings. If you have time to write a good review, even better.
Motivation and Flipping Books
Slipped down another day and it's Wednesday. This is a great motivational day. Half way through the week and probably a better day for a breather.
If you have a book out already or need motivation to finish one you are planning, have a look at BookBuzzr You can publish a free page turning promo for your book here and at the minute sign up for a free 30 day trial of the pro version.
I love all these animated books and magaazines.
Here is my first experiment with Calameo. Again this has a no cost version. Sadly I had no time to do more or this post--like my e-book--will never be written. As practice, I uploaded a powerpoint ITQ project I had available from 2011 on Edinburgh Fog
Click on the right hand corner of pages to turn. This is a brochure but you can publish in many formats including book, album, report.
The photos of Edinburgh used in the brochure are © 2003
Edinburgh-Scotland.net and found at Edinburgh-Scotland, a wonderful non profit-making site with loads of downloadable photos.
I have embedded the mini brochure in my right hand column but need to do a bit more work on it. The content upload to Calameo was easy and I think the result is most effective.
Sharing links let you upload your work to social networking sites. I uploaded to Facebook successfully but the flipping book would not stop flipping...
How to Attract Readers
Two new ideas here:
Laurence O' Bryan's new book The Istanbul Puzzle has already attracted a strong fan base through his interactive pages on his website. I started following him on Twitter when he asked for advice on the background to his blog.
He has continued to ask questions and ask for help solving mysteries, finding clues and built up a strong social networking fan base before the book was even released.
He now has a Pinterest board with the series of clues. You don't need to buy the book to try to solve the puzzle but I bet most of us do.
Sci-fi author Krista D Ball runs an author clinic. But for her latest novel in progress, Collaborator, she is also involving her blog readers to comment on the WIP and to contribute donations which lead to their names being immortalized in the book.
The dialogue-based blog and social network formula seems to be one way forward.
Writing the e-book Week Two
No, I have not forgotten but have decided to do the forbidden option--research a new topic. Guess what it is? And yes, I'll be asking for help. Details next week.
How's everyone getting on? Still thinking?
Coming Soon...
I'm thrilled to announce that Magdalena Ball is my guest author on Monday March 5 so the Monday post will be up on time. She is visiting on the blog tour for her latest novel Black Cow. And her topic--On The Value of Slow Writing.
And on March 12 at 7 p.m.EST, she is giving a free webinar for Writers on The Move on Designing Customized Facebook Fan Pages. Check out the link and sign up.
Week One: E-Book Writing
Find the original post here at Write a Book in Six Weeks.
Ruth Barringham's book is available for download by clicking the link in the blog's right hand column.
I said I'd do this too. I shall but I had no idea of how difficult it would be. Think I need another week...
The statement of intent:
Why do I want to do this?
This was difficult and I'm not sure I even have it right yet. Perhaps my author readers will leave me some hints as to why they write their books in the comments.
None of Ruth's suggestions were a great fit. In the end I went back to a childhood memory of walking into a lamppost while telling myself a happy-ever-after fairy story. I explained I was not mad. I was going to be a writer. Hmmm
I want to prove the child was right. I want to do it for me. I'm not sure this is strong enough.
I want it to reach out, to help others. But will a book I need to write be anything anyone else needs to read...?
Plan and plot the book.
This reminds me of Mark Twain on giving up smoking. "Easy, I've done it hundreds of times." I thought I knew what I intended to write but having drawn up my list of possibles, I am on the verge of changing my mind.
The plotted book was to be one of a series of small books on editing problems. I may well still carry on with this as it's started and planned but it's not now the idea that makes my heart sing.
Sales Pitch or Book blurb
A great way to focus your writing is to do this first rather than last. You can always tweak it later. Lots of good advice in the book.
What is your book's unique selling point?
Have I a USP?--no, better find one hehe.
What makes it different? Fast look up version of problematic editing points.
What will it do for your reader? Save time.
Fact or fiction, a book must meet the needs of the reader.
Week Two
Start writing. Divide your plan into three weeks of writing -- or thirty if you don't have much time available. Just do it and stick to it. I've fallen behind already but hope to have more news, clues and motivation on hand next Wednesday.
Let me know how you're getting on below, please.
