The Book In You- What's Yours?

[MSC2471]

Through reading books by diverse authors from Jack Canfield and Brian Tracy to Mark Victor Hansen and Zig Ziglar among others, one of the many ways they talk about generating income can be through the writing of your own book. Everyone has an area of expertise and a story to tell, so if you had the chance to write a book- what would your book be about? Would you choose to develop something in the non-fiction world or does your mind gravitate towards the fiction world?

I still believe that the writer within me thinks that I would like to develop books in both fields. My current interest runs in writing a book about being adoptive parents- as my wife and I are the proud parents of two adopted daughters (both from different birth families). I also have a strong interest in writing about the music field- with years of experience as an independent publicist and journalist writing music reviews and conducting band interviews. Another part of me though loves to write mystery novels- since it's something that I grew up with as a child and I believe I have a vivid imagination for creating detective stories.

Let's hear about the books within you- and maybe we can help each other out with some brainstorming/creative angles to make our work stronger.

Matt

[David Hausladen]

Eventually I think I want to publish books in the field of personal growth, but right now I'm starting my writing career by writing a work of fiction centered around lucid dreaming.

[kthdsn]

I love writing and would love to write a book. I have tried a couple of times to write fiction, but when I sit down to read back what I have written I find it dry and boring. I would like to write about a variety of non-fiction topics as well, but I always feel that I'm not good enough, not knowledgeable enough, not sure enough to tell others my ideas.

I decided to start with my blog, to get my ideas out there where people can read them. Each time I write a post I hesitate before I press the submit button. I worry that others think it's just a load of old rubbish.

I guess I care more than I thought about what people think of me. I need to work on that. Maybe I should just write, and see what happens?

[julien]

Well, the book in me is all about mathematics (graduate nonspecialized level) and it is on the way I doubt it would be of any interest to many people here though, except maybe Steve, I know he's got a degree in Math/Comp Sc.

[babuji]

I've never written a book before.. but going to wikihow.com, I found the following:

How to Write a Book - WikiHow
How to Publish Your Book in the New Age Market - WikiHow
How to Write a Book Proposal - eHow.com

Those who are serious about it.. perhaps these links may help :-)

[Fortune]

NaNoWriMo, the month isn't over yet.

[Caveman Joe]

My advice to you, in terms of fiction at least:
Just sit down and write. Know and expect that at least the first million words of what you do write will not be publishable. Get your style down straight through practice, then look for advice elsewhere. Accept critique and expect it to sting. Don't argue with people's critique of your work - there is no such thing as reader error.
In the meantime, the single best resource for writing in general is William Strunk's Elements of Style.
Good luck.

By the way, kthdsn - just hit the Submit button and don't worry about it. If people think your work isn't worth reading, they just won't read it - big deal. It's not as if you've lost anything by pressing Submit over not pressing it.

[GoalGuru]

I recently wrote two books in 2 months.

The Time Commandments! and
New Year New Life!

With today's technology, you can write a quality book and either self-publish it or make it instantly available in ebook format via the internet.

Tony Robbins wrote Awaken the Giant Within in 30 days.

Many people don't realize it can be done so quickly. It's usually just a matter of setting your Goals, planning your time and following through, especially if you are accessing expertise that you already possess.

I watched a friend write his book in 30 days and that planted the seed in me that it was possible. It reignited my dream to actually get started on my own books.

I used my own Goal Setting and Time Management strategies (contained within the books) to create massive momentum and the books were born.

Creativity does not always flow that effortlessly for everyone, however, there are strategies you can use to fast track your Goals and actions you can take to keep your dreams alive and moving forward.

It's amazing what you can do when you take the first steps and create some momentum on your Goals.

Live Your Dreams,

-Jill

[mrcarman]

I have written 2 books last year. Get an idea - write an outline and buy a recorder. Capture everything you think! Sleep with pad and Pen next to bed and in car Pad and pen. Develop a style and stick with it!
Getting publish and selling your book take more work. I watched a friend of mine Clifton Lambreth write a book - Ford and the American Dream ouylining the things taht went wrong at Ford and was sure he would get fired but he didn't. But be careful - others may not share your passion so think it through.

[Joely]

Here I come with the bragging! So far I've found twelve books inside me and I'm about to finish my thirteenth.

Currently looking very good on the publishing front according to my agent Some of my books were written in under a month, most took 2-3 months. I'm now a full time writer. We're also podcasting the first book starting March 1st.

The best way to start writing is to stop saying "I'm going to write a book about...", sit your butt down and get on with it.

Oh, and love it. That's the most important part, especially if you're writing fiction.

[bravebluemice]

George Lucas once said in an interview that the main reason he made the original Star Wars is because he always wanted to see a movie like that.

In a lot of respects, that's how my book started. I always wanted to read a book about a guy who commits crime as a creative outlet for his hatred of the establishment. After fleshing out some of the whos whys and wheres, I ended up seeing the whole thing in my head like a movie.

Now I just write the movie that runs through my head. It flows with amazing strength. I'm sure I could write a chapter a night, but my copy editor can only handle about one a week!

Of course, the most important thing is:

Oh, and love it. That's the most important part, especially if you're writing fiction.

Good Luck,
~BraveBlueMice

P.S. Joely - I can't wait for those podcasts, it sounds just absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to wrap my senses around it! You said the books are coming soon too, right? PM me for more chatter!

[CaffeinatedCandy]

My books - I have several, both traditional writing and graphic novels - are all fiction, and mostly fantasy.

None are completely written, because I have the attention span of a toddler in a room full of shiny, sparkly, and brightly coloured objects.

Now if you'll excuse me, I just noticed an unattended plate full of cookies. :P

[VelvetOak]

I read somewhere that one author was always distracted, so she made her husband lock her in the bedroom with her typewriter for several hours a day. He could bring food, that's all. No phone. No visitors. I've always thought that if I could get my husband to do that, I could come up with the great american novel....

I have written several nonfiction ebooks, writing gets easier and faster the more you do it...so just start writing, don't edit. If you need a framework, do the table of contents first, then fill in chapter by chapter...edit when you're finished.

Good Luck. I just heard that 40% of Americans haven't picked up a book for over a year....sad.

Velvet