Are you a successful author?

Dan Miller —  July 11, 2012 — 15 Comments

Do you have any desire to be an author…to make a living writing about things you know, enjoy or care about? You may like the idea of getting paid for sitting at your home writing and working on your own time schedule, or you may have something that you feel the world needs to hear! You are not alone; many people desire to write. But amazingly, while 81% of Americans say they’d like to write a book, only a few ever take a step towards making it happen. It’s not rocket science – it’s just a process.

Before You Begin

I encourage you to approach your writing of a book as a business proposal.  Too often authors write a book like
many artists paint a picture, just hoping that it will get noticed or that someone will want to purchase it.  I suggest that you are much more strategic about the process of writing.  You are about to invest a significant amount of time and energy; thus, it’s reasonable to ask yourself these ten questions:

  1. Does writing this book align with your purpose in life?
  2. Will it be an expression of your passion?
  3. What is the purpose of this book?  Why do you feel compelled to write it?
  4. Who are you writing this book for? What are the characteristics of a person who will definitely want to read it?
  5. Do you have the skills to turn this into a meaningful work?
  6. Why are you so eager to use this form of getting your message out?
  7. Has your message already been written?  What is remarkable about your additions to that message?
  8. Can you create income by doing this?  Passion and talent are fine but by themselves do not necessarily generate income.
  9. How does being an author fit into your overall business and career?
  10. If you have a plan, what’s stopping you from starting now?

I love the process of writing – and spend more than 50% of my time doing just that.  I love reading related books for research, I love the solitude in my country office, and I love the process of seeing my writing come to life in books, manifestos and informational manuals.

Answer these 10 questions and you can join me in the wonderful world of writing.  Check out our Write to the Bank event to shorten the process and meet others who can open the right doors.

“The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted.  He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brain of his own.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

 

In Business Start-Up, Finding Passion, No More Mondays , , ,
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  • Dele

    Dan, I am a Big Fan of your over here. I am excited about 48days ideals.

     On writing a book, you are very right and are just talking about me. I believe I have a lot of valuable stuff some of them more or less like manuscript. Sometime, I feel inspired, should I say ‘compelled’ to put them together for the good of others. These insights you just shared, I believe , will spur me on. Grateful for them.            Dele ( from Nigeria)

  • http://about.me/colinmichael Colin Michael

    If I wrote a book it would never be finished. If it were published, infinite revisions would ensue. :-) I’m only half joking because I know my weakness in this area. Expressing myself in writing is not the issue. Being satisfied with my own finished product is my Achilles heel.

    • http://viewsfromtheouthouse.blogspot.com/ Mark S. R. Peterson

      Colin, you’re not alone in that field.  Several writers are like that, present company included.  There gets to a point where you have to step back and say, “It’s done.”  Many share your frustrations.

    • 48DaysDan

      Yes – or as Steve Jobs was known to say – “Real artists ship.”  At some point you have to just get it out there.

  • http://www.facebook.com/StEnoch David L Henderson

    “I’m a writer because I write. I’m a better writer because I read.” And you can quote me.

    • http://viewsfromtheouthouse.blogspot.com/ Mark S. R. Peterson

      Fantastic quote, David - I might have to borrow it.  Quoting you, of course.

    • 48DaysDan

      David – yep, lots of great lines in that theme – “those who don’t read will never be read.”

  • Isaacbassey69

    i have written several christian literature yet to be published because of financial constrain but i believe that with the power of focus which means Following One Course Untill Successful,you can achieve your dreams because faith is not a monument but a movement

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ron-Peters/1404566206 Ron Peters

    My first book (Expert Shell Scripting) was born out of my career focus as well as the thought of delivering something useful for both myself and others. It ended up being a LOT of work and really not that much fun.

    My second book (Prepare to be Judged – How to get your car ready for show) was much more in line with my passion and much more fun to write. I did buy/read ‘Write to the Bank’ and realized that the marketing is the same (usually) whether I self published or was with a traditional publisher, but the profits are much different. Now I’m trying to learn the marketing side which seems to be a bigger challenge than the writing itself. It’s not really my forte.

    In any case, the writing isn’t that hard, it’s just long. Like I keep asking my boys, “how do you eat an elephant?” 

    http://thepistonhead.com

    • 48DaysDan

      Ron – I remember well you book – Prepare to be Judged.  I passed it along to a friend here who is president of the local old car club.  

  • http://www.liveyourwhy.net/ Terry Hadaway

    Write to the Bank is a must for anyone who wants to write for a living. The information is priceless and the encouragement is even better. 

    • 48DaysDan

      Terry – thanks.  I appreciate the affirmation.

  • http://talesofwork.com/ kimanzi constable

    I know I have to attend Dan!

    • 48DaysDan

      Kimanzi – hey it’s about time we meet in person!  Come on down – the August event will be the last one this year.

  • Betsy Izzo

    Dan,

    My book written out of my passion to help women think according to God’s Word and be able to overcome anxiety, depression, abuse, chemical imbalance, perscription drug addiction and so much more is just a couple of chapters short of being finished!  I hope to have it completed in the next month!

    I look forward to attending Write to the Bank in August!

    Look forward to all that you have to teach us!

    Betsy Izzo