Once you have an idea for a book and a plan for how to get it written and marketed, it’s
time to put your brain to work with some writing exercises. Here are 5 more tips to help
your brain get the ‘WRITE’ idea:
• If you’re writing a particularly interesting or important section of your book, leave it
out where you can see it. It’s easier to just pick it up and write for a few minutes if
it’s readily available. Having your work handy also generates ideas just by looking at it.
You can jot down those ideas in the margins of your work. (In our house my papers may get
moved in the tidying process. Make sure you know where your spouse puts those tidied
papers! Consider investing in an “inbox” for those inevitable fits of housecleaning; that
way, you will never lose something important.)
• If you have kids, arrange to exchange babysitting or child watching sessions with
someone to allow you to write in a large block of time during times when it’s your best
time to create. I’m a morning writer and a sports watching writer. Exchanging child
sitting time must be mutually beneficial. Using this kind of arrangement also removes any
guilt and frustration you might experience regarding finding and using large blocks of
time.
• Pay someone to look after the children. At crucial times in the book authoring process
this may be a good investment. This is especially true if writing is a re-creational
activity for you. You deserve time for yourself doing what you want to do that has a
positive impact on your life.
• Request for your birthday a weekend retreat to write your book. Pick a location that’s
inspiring for you, relaxing but not distracting, and where interruptions are at a minimum.
It could be at a friend’s house or cottage while they are away for the weekend. Or better
yet, send your family away on a great weekend vacation while you stay at home in the
comfort of your own office. This plan works just as well for a single day as it would for
a weekend.
There are two more articles with additional strategies that put your brain to work for
you, but even starting with these strategies will propel you toward success.
