Don’t ask but yes, it’s still brutal
Time to get smart about your book
I still hate DST. In the words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
The rest of this newsletter will be about getting smart with your book and if you’re like me, you’ll need all the brain power you can muster as you continue to struggle with waking up 10-to-20 minutes later than usual.
-John
Moving Forward
Episode 462: Setting yourself up for writing success
For a series about writing a book, we’ve done very little none so far. Don’t believe me? Count how many pages you’ve written if you’ve been following me over the past couple of weeks. And, if you’re behind, you may even be at a negative page count. While that might seem like a big set up for an April Fool’s joke, I assure you it’s not as my sense of humor is mostly limited to the sarcastic quips I sprinkle into this newsletter.
On a semi-serious note, for you non-fiction authors, and you fiction plotters, the pre-planning stages are what determine your success as a writer. And I’m not talking about some fluffy, it’s-all-relative, define-it-as-you-will woo woo definition of “success.” Success with your first book is very concrete with two parts: 1) finishing your book, 2) publishing it. That’s it.
That said, finishing your book may seem a long ways off and some of you may wonder if you’ll ever cross that finish line. We have a ways to go before we get to the second part, which is why we need to be smart about how we approach the first.
To make sure you do, I want you to be as prepared as you can be before you step up to the writer’s starting line. That’s why we’ve spent the past few weeks on ideation, vetting, mapping, and outlining your book. This week, we dive into setting yourself up for writing success with color coding, picking the right writing environment, and setting the correct expectations with your writing schedule. Forget that scene in Love Actually. Colin Firth had it all wrong. Most of us can’t afford to lock ourselves away in a cabin for months at a time to bang out a first draft. And don’t get me started on using a typewriter on a dock above a dirty pond. I digress.
Learn more on this week’s episode, now playing on Spotify.
Moving Forward is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, iHeart, CastBox, Pocket Casts, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), and Audible.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
What else on this week’s episode:
The genius of color coding your outline (credit to author Suzanne Brown, MF 373).
Why you should follow the “rule of two” when it comes to writing environments.
What most first-time authors get wrong about writing schedules.
Why your laptop may not be the best writing tool for your first draft.
Hacks
Color me smart
This week, I continue our exploration of smart outlines in preparation for writing your first draft. Last week, I went over the brilliant hack of color coding your outline using a simple legend of “smart,” “easy,” and an optional third color for “in between.” Although we haven’t started writing yet, it’s important to look ahead to the ups and downs of this long term relationship.
So far, we’ve spent a lot of time on the planning process. Think of this as pre-marriage counseling with your betrothed. It’s important to have those deep conversations about the big ticket items like religion, money, kids, politics, conflict resolution, ideal room temperature, and where you squeeze the toothpaste tube. Color coding your outline is anticipatory planning for the good days and the not so good ones.
For most of us, writing is one more thing we’re adding to an already crowded schedule. The majority of us aren’t able to take months off to write a book. And even if we could, those of us not named Stephen King are not acclimated or wired to spend 6-to-8 hours a day writing. This means that crossing the finish line won’t depend on carving out big blocks of time but rather by the accumulation of the minutes you dedicate to chipping away at it. This is why I’m a firm believer of starting your first book yesterday. But since yesterday is gone, take the next best option: today. If John Grisham could write A Time to Kill sitting on hard wooden benches outside of courtrooms or in his laundry room, scribbling on a legal pad for minutes at a time; all while practicing trial law, you can find the time to do the same.
There are three keys to consider when it comes to your first draft:
Your writing environment: pick two locations (a primary and backup) that’ll be your designated writing space. Be consistent and your brain will associate those spaces with writing.
Your writing schedule: don’t go over the top with 10 hour, 4 week, insanity insomnia. Rather, go for realistic and reasonable. 15 minutes, three times a week, over a period of 4-5 months will be enough to knock out your first draft or a significant chunk. [credit to writing coach Monica Miller, MF 120.]
Your color coded sherpa: some days you’ll write like a stereotypical author, hunched over pecking away like there’s no tomorrow. Other days, you’ll sit staring at that blank screen while visions of work, relationships, and planning April Fool’s jokes take up your mental bandwidth. Use your color coded outline to guide you on what to write on those easy and difficult days.
I know you’re chomping at the bit to get started but believe me, the time we spend on the prewriting housekeeping will set us up for writing success (see definition above).
“If all else fails, the wind can provide a great motivator to type fast.”
There’s only 1️⃣ space left in my next writing course, which starts in less than a week (Thursday, March 28th) through The Johns Hopkins Odyssey program. Grab it before the class is full so you can learn how to get your book started, finished, and published.
Weekly quirky news
I really thought it was a robo 🍣 grill, ⏱ may be running out for TikTok, 🍫📈, 🕹 go 💨, 👕😢, 🥓🍪🍔.
A really cool IG account on “how things really work.” Watch this and tell me you didn’t think these were pieces of salmon.
The clock starts running out on Tik Tok as legislation to ban or force the sale of the app passes the House.
Move aside crypto and art, there’s a gold rush in chocolate (even without the tin foil wrapping) amid a growing premium market and a global shortage of cocoa beans. Aren’t you glad you saved some of that Halloween candy?
A bug wipes out PlayStation owners library of games and why digital “ownership” is shaky at best when it comes to games, movies, etc.
Joann, the 81 year old fabric and craft retailer, files for bankruptcy. Best to stock up on needle, thread, and baked potato costume patterns while you still can.
WatchMojo’s list of the top 30 craziest fast food menu items of the 21st century (so far). Can I get a bacon and peanut butter shake with my spam and oreo burger? On second thought …
Upcoming (one space left!)
Don’t wait until “one day” to write your first book unless that day is March 28th.
Resources
Teach a man to fish, you know the rest (if you don’t, check these out).
Book a coaching call with me on Clarity.
Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations.
Check out one of my favorite daily newsletters Morning Brew (affiliate referral link).
Books
I wrote most of these so spruce up your home library and look smart in the process.
The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)
The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Apple audiobooks)
I Am a Professional Metalhead (audiobook) (Audible affiliate link) written by Angelo Spenillo, narrated by John Lim
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Affiliate disclosure
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