This email came in last week from a Houston-area CEO. He wants to publish a book about his business.
Hello,
I hope all is well. So my question(s) are, how does one even start to write a book on something they’re passionate about? Every time I even begin to think about writing a small book about what I enjoy doing and how others can apply it, I get stressed just thinking about it. How does a person get started? What materials are needed? How long does it normally take for a book to be written?
Thank you.
Here’s my response. It’s shared for all of you business leaders who aspire to write a book but don’t know where to start!
Good morning:
Thank you for reaching out. I understand it may feel overwhelming at first when you’re considering writing a book. Finding the time and a starting point are both challenges. I have a few suggestions.
Outline: You may find it helpful to start by brainstorming a simple list of ideas you know about. It can be a list of services you provide, frequently asked questions, myths about your industry, or your reasons for entering your industry in the first place. It can be anything related to your field. Keep adding to the list as ideas come to you. Then, you can use this list as a prompt to write when you have the time. Pick an item off the list, and write without worrying about perfection. You can keep it short and sweet. Get your ideas down. You’ll soon find that you have a collection of writings, which can be the basis of a rough draft.
Accountability and encouragement: Finding the time to write is the biggest challenge for business leaders. We don’t have the time. One way to combat this is to join a local writer’s group or to schedule occasional workshops. You may feel inspired to write if you are part of a community. Two Houston-area groups to remember are the Nonfiction Authors Association (a Houston chapter that schedules monthly speakers) and Writespace Houston (which offers writing workshops for all levels). You may be inspired if you go public with your plan. One author posted his deadline and progress on social media to keep him accountable.
Professional assistance: Many business leaders turn to professional ghostwriters and editors to make their ideas come alive if it is within their budget. You can hand them a rough draft to edit or hire them to interview you and write your ideas for you. Either way, their job is to shape your ideas into a book with your goals in mind. We partner with several excellent ghostwriters, editors, and proofreaders who will make your vision a reality.
Most writers simply use Microsoft Word for materials. Many authors take one to two years to complete their manuscript, but it can take shorter or longer depending on your time, team, and goals. Your publisher can provide everything beyond the manuscript (cover design, formatting, printing, distribution, and marketing), so getting your ideas on paper is really all you have to do at this point.
We wish this business leader and the rest of you all the best in 2019. Happy New Year, and happy writing!