December 1, 2008

So you want to write a book! The first thing you need to do is to make a committment to work on the book and to make a start, no matter how small.

I developed an idea for a book about fifteen years ago. Fifteen years! And where did it go? No where. I was comfortable with the idea of writing the book. I could say to people, “I’m going to write a book,” “What about?” they’d ask. “Oh, mind travel. I haven’t started yet, but I will. I just need to get the ideas.” Ten years later, I started. I procrastinated for ten years on an idea that had gelled in my mind and which remained comfortably in the deep recesses of my brain, waiting for the magic moment.

In the mean time, I completed my PhD and studied of all topics; procrastination. This jolted me into making THE start on the book which was doomed to stay in my mind. Go to my home page. It’s there and what’s more, there is a section for book 2 which has also been written, but not yet published.

I finally got off my backside and started to write, now I can’t stop. It’s fantastic, ideas keep flowing in.

So, if you are thinking about writing a book or telling a story. Don’t wait. Do it and do it now. The idea while in your mind remains just that: an idea in your mind. Make a start by writing key ideas, develop characters, get some flow happening. My major mistake was not committing anything to paper. It was all in my mind and was going nowhere fast.

I will write more about writing later, but the first task for you, the inspiring writer, is to make a start- on paper (or your computer). Create a folder which is for the exclusive use of developing your book, this way, you are more likely to stay on task. Save often, but keep writing.