4 Things I Learned While Writing My First Book

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This one is a hard one for me to write.  I have always considered myself to be an overachiever.  Sometimes a perfectionist.  I like to have all of my “I’s” dotted and my “T’s” crossed.  This is how I’ve always been.

If you have been following me, you must know by now that I have taken on the task of writing my first book.  At first it was exciting, then it was scary.  I came up with the concept, the table of contents and had the photo shoot.  Oh, it was getting real.  I’m really about to do thisBe able to call myself an author. 

Then we went into editing.  It was grueling.  I spent many hours at night combing over what the editor returned from the manuscript that she sent me.  Something just was not right.  I could not put out this product.  After all the buzz, telling friends and family that I’m almost done, I had to tell them that it would take longer than originally planned.

‘Walk away from it’, my editor said.  ‘See a movie.  Play board games.  Go for a ride someplace new.  Go dancing with the girls and drink margaritas and eat potato chips :-)’  As I am trying so desperately to follow her advice, I thought I would share with you what I learned throughout this process:

1. Writing a book is hard. Period. 

Whether you know the material or not. Whether you dictate or type.  This is not for the faint at heart.  I talk about my life, weight, building a business all the time…in small bites.  Pulling out the most pertinent information, conveying it in a manner that you can understand and that does not bore you through a 100+ page book? Not the same.  Does not mean it cannot be done.

2. Writing a book takes a village. Seriously. 

I had NO IDEA just how much went into a book.  The cover alone took the work of 5 people:  Clothing stylist, hair, makeup, photographer, graphic designer.  Friends to vote in contests for the final design.  Focus groups for the title. Transcriptionist, editor, friends to read it after editing…

3. Writing a book will bring up your mess.  Keep writing anyway.

My initial thought was, what if I don’t have enough to say? Then what if I can’t get my thoughts together? Then What if it sucks? What if they don’t like it? What if the inside is not as good as the outside?  Yep.  I, the life coach, still have to manage my thoughts and keep moving forward anyway.

4. Writing a book is one of the best gifts you can give this world.

When we look at the reason why we want to do anything, it must be so deep that you are willing to walk through the fire and come out on the other side.  I believe that this book will help something click for the person reading it, although they may have heard the concepts before and it is my duty to get my thoughts on paper.

What about you?  Have you ever attempted something that ended up being a lot more difficult that you originally planned?  What steps did you take to keep moving forward?

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