Writing a book, even a small one, takes time. The first two questions are How much time do you have? AND how are you going to distribute it? This is the point where you may feel more than a little overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. Take a few deep breaths: breathe in, breathe out… breathe in, breathe out. Really. Have to. Inhale Exhale. Okay, now sit down and make a list of everything you need to write, starting with the title and ending with the author biography on the back cover.
your writing plan
For the front and back covers, you’ll need your title and subtitle, a short descriptive paragraph about the book, your biography, and a couple of powerful endorsements, which you won’t have until the book is written. Skip the copyright page for now. The publisher, whoever he is, will supply it later. You will write the preface… the introduction… the acknowledgments… the index… the bibliography… and the appendices then you finish the heart of the book. The table of contents is already done (Yes you wrote a book proposal). The chapters, of course, are going to take more time and concentration.
Write down these dates below:
– Date
– Deadline for each chapter.
– Deadline for each section of “preliminary matter” (preface, introductory thanks)
– Deadline for each section of “previous matter” (index, bibliography, appendices)
– Deadline for the first draft
– Deadline for revisions and second draft
– Deadline for the final draft
– Deadline for edited copy
– Deadline for revisions and third draft
– Deadline to copy edited copy
– Deadline for revisions and final draft
– Immediate deadline for manuscripts corrected, corrected and ready to send to the publisher or printer
set deadlines
Deadlines can be ones you set yourself or ones set by a publisher. In any case, they are sacrosanct. The time between today’s date and the time you plan to complete your first draft is all the time you have. Everything on the list, from the cover to the table of contents, if you choose to write them, must fit into that time frame. You already know that chapters are the heart of the book, but the preface and introduction are just as important. Remember, the first is personal and the second is informational. Be sure to give them the right tone.
working backwards
Starting from the first draft deadline, work backwards to determine exactly how much time you have, what needs to be done, and how long each segment will take. Set mini-deadlines for yourself for each segment and lock them into one big calendar. Be realistic. If it can’t be done in the allotted time, something needs to be changed and it may be your deadline. If you’re self-publishing, you can change your own deadlines; if you’re working with a conventional publisher, timeframes can be negotiated. When they are impossible, you have the right to say so… before you sign the contract.
facing facts
Setting deadlines isn’t easy, but it’s essential if you really want to write a book. You need to know how long the process will take and whether what you have to do can be done in the time you have. If it can’t be done, face reality. Trying to do the impossible is a recipe for frustration and failure. If, on the other hand, you can do it with good planning and self-discipline, you will feel a sense of relief. The facts are clear; you have faced them head-on; and you know you’re up for the challenge. The rest is up to you.