Wanna Write a Book? Part 1

Writing a novel isn’t easy. Ask anyone who’s done it. I’m ready to release my first novel, ’til Death and thought I’d share some of the scraps of wisdom I’ve discovered, collected, and confirmed since I started this wild ride.

Like many an author looking for an easy metaphor, I liken it to climbing a mountain.

At this point, I’ve made some elevation. But barely. I’m more like Homer Simpsons in the photo. Technically, I’ve risen above and done it, but I’m a long way from the Hugh Howeys of the world sitting on the mountain’s peak.  If I look up, I can see the glint of Chris Pourteau’s carabiner.  He’s on his way up and above the cloud cover, to join Michael Bunker & Nick Cole, who can be heard shouting encouragement to us writers still down below.

If you’re still at the base of the mountain, then we’re close enough that you can hear me speak plainly. Here’s my first bit of advice, I heard it from the pro’s and found it to be true:

WRITE EVERY DAY*

I set a modest goal of 500 words a day, no matter what. If I can do that, I can produce a 50,000 word novel every few months. Hooray for productivity!

Only, I don’t always do that. Which leads to the real wisdom at play. Just like daily exercise keeps you fit, daily writing keeps you as a writer. At one point during the winter I got sick, and didn’t write for three weeks. I was so out of the habit that it nearly torpedoed the book. I had to force myself to re-adjust and get going again and it took another 2-3 weeks to get back into a groove.

Not writing is the biggest danger any writer faces. So, get those fingers to the keyboard. Dust off that old moleskine you just had to have. Sharpen your pencils. Start writing tonight.

I’ll see you on the way up!

*Sabbath Observances being an exception