Author and Writer Warning … If You Snooze, You Lose!

Your words matter … your ideas, your solutions, and your stories. Are you ready—really ready—to get them out?

Your book … your next book … can do amazing things … it’s time to bring the amazing you to the party and invite the pros in for the journey so you will shine. 2025 awaits you.

Are you a snoozer? Are you looking for the perfect phrase, word, idea? Are you stuck? Wouldn’t getting unstuck and moving forward be a fantastic goal for the end of the year and the beginning of next? Have you been snoozing when it comes to your book? Maybe this is the day, the week, the month, the year when your book becomes a success or the new one is no longer in your dreams or chatter … it becomes a reality.

Moving from wannabe author to the real thing is totally possible this coming year. Moving from wannabe speaker to the real thing is totally possible this coming year. Moving from wannabe anything to the real thing is totally possible this coming year.

Is there a book in you? Most think there is. And most don’t get them out. You could have the makings of a fantastic novel, a creative young adult series, and exquisitely illustrated young children’s stories. Cookbooks, health, space, romance, intrigue, how-to or business book may be lurking in your creative closet.

You just may be able to take your career to a whole new level with the creation of a book. Adding to your professional credentials, if done right, could position you as the expert in a specific field. A book could talk you to a whole new level, a different type of professional business card. Amazing doors can open with book in hand.

Many wannabe authors, speakers, or whatever, practice the art of one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, three to get ready, three to get ready … and they never go. They keep reaching for one more thing; one more piece of information; another interview; another who knows what. Sometimes, it’s just another excuse. Their book never gets written, much less published. Their quest for the perfect book has become the enemy of creating a good book, even a great book.

Perfection and Procrastination go hand-in-hand. Break the bond and move forward today.

Step 1: Choose a spot … any spot that is yours and yours alone. It’s the “Do Not Cross … Author at Work” spot. Authors need their space and time. Space will contain all the ingredients you need to support you. Think computer, phone— if necessary, pens, pencils, paper, files with reference items that you’ve collected, notes you’ve saved or made to support your topic, other reference books, a favorite snack. I confess—I’ve written an entire book with M&Ms and Cheetos being the reward each time I finished a chapter00, beverage of choice, toys, etc. Your space. Claim it and let others know that when you are in your space, it’s a “Do Not Disturb … Author at Work” sanctuary.

Find time. Some authors have to work specific hours; others are more loosey-goosey. Do what works for you but do it.

Step 2: Just do it … even if what you get down looks like gibberish. Is it a cliché? Nope, it’s a start. You can’t move forward to publication until you’ve got some words. So, dump them out. Think of it as a giant puzzle. Sometimes just finding all the edges takes time. As in a puzzle, colors begin to gather, segments within it come together, and it does come together if you persevere. The more you organize your thoughts, stories, stats and general info, the better it is when it comes to the first dump. The general topic, sub-topics, stories/facts/stats to support the topic all go into magic piles.

Where you choose to “dump” is your choice. Some still write all by hand … if you having been procrastinating or dragging your feet—it’s best to bypass this method and either pick up the latest version of Dragon’s Naturally Speaking where you can literally put on a headset with a mic and start talking or glue yourself to a favorite spot and just start writing—writing anything to kick start your creative juices.

With Dragon’s program, your works get transcribed to your computer, and then you clean up spellings and missed words after your dictation is done. Here’s what you don’t do with a speaking program: watch it as it unfolds on your computer. Guaranteed, it’s the kiss of author death. You will want to stop. In fact, you will stop. Your creative juices vaporize as you start to correct spelling and do a first run at editing. DO NOT DO THIS. You need everything flowing when you are in your zone—you don’t need to make the written word perfect … yet.

Step 3: Get help. You may need book coaching to goose you. You may need to get the big picture in a place where you can see the book, even virtually feel what it will look like. Do you know your title … or do you need some help in creating it—don’t be surprised, titles can change as a book progresses … and it can be as firm as a slab of cement. If it’s firm, a mock up of a cover might be the visual encouragement that keeps you going. You will need an editor—content or grammar? All authors need editors who edit (this is not your friend or sister, although they can be readers) … all authors no exceptions.

Plan on engaging other professionals who create books—interiors and exteriors. Will illustrations or cartoons enhance your work? Unless you are a pro in book design, book covers, illustrations, etc., don’t go down that path. Don’t expect to do it cheaply—what does that say about you and the quality of your work?

Step 4: Make up your mind. Fall officially pops this week … a season of brilliant colors and dramatic change. As an author, what’s it going to be for you—your first book? A new book? A workbook or Teacher’s Guide to accompany one that you have already written? How about a stellar speech and/or workshop that will take you new places and create new places to see your book? Or an audio program? Do you see a video version of your book or creating Exercises and Projects for readers to use and enjoy? The paths you choose.

Your words matter … your ideas, your solutions, and your stories.

Your book can do amazing things … it’s time to bring the amazing you to the party and invite the pros in for the journey so you will shine. 2025 awaits you.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 45 books and 56 book awards including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut The Secret Journey and The Secret Hamlet. Collectively, her books have earned over 50 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. The AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing by Mashable and Feedspot.

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her..