Everybody wants to write a book. But only 3% of people who start writing will ever finish one.
Why?
Two main reasons:
1. Because writing is hard
2. And most people think it takes a lot of time
But it doesn’t have to.
I’ve written 3 best selling books…
All in 15 minutes a day… starting first thing each morning.
When you get up and go straight to work on something like writing…
It allows you to focus and channel all your mental energy into that one specific task…
Before all the noise and distractions of the day pull you in a million different directions.
When I’m that focused… I’m able to get about 500 words down in 15 minutes.
500 words x 6 days per week… for 15 weeks = a 45,000 word book.
And that’s how I’ve written my 3 books in just 15 minutes a day…
Each in less than 4 months (not including editing, etc.).
Can you set aside 15 minutes a day to write yours?
I bet you can.
That solves for #2 above.
As for #1…
One of the best lessons on writing I’ve ever seen comes from “Dilbert” creator, Scott Adams.
In less than 250 words, Adams gives a masterclass on writing.
And since it’s almost sure to make your writing better and easier…
I’ve included it for you below.
The Day You Became A Better Writer
By Scott Adams
I went from being a bad writer to a good writer after taking a 1-day course in “business writing.”
I couldn’t believe how simple it was. I’ll tell you the main tricks here so you don’t have to waste a day in class.
Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple.
Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences.
Don’t fight it. Simple means getting rid of extra words.
Don’t write, “He was very happy” when you can write “He was happy.” You think the word “very” adds something. It doesn’t. Prune your sentences.
Your first sentence needs to grab the reader. Go back and read my first sentence to this post. I rewrote it a dozen times. It makes you curious. That’s the key.
Write short sentences. Avoid putting multiple thoughts in one sentence. Readers aren’t as smart as you’d think.
Learn how brains organize ideas. Readers comprehend “the boy hit the ball” quicker than “the ball was hit by the boy.”
Both sentences mean the same, but it’s easier to imagine the object (the boy) before the action (the hitting).
All brains work that way. (Notice I didn’t say, “That is the way all brains work”?)
That’s it. You just learned 80% of the rules of good writing. You’re welcome.
***
If you want a longer lesson on writing well, get Stephen King’s book, On Writing.
When you write well, you’ll sell more and your business will grow.
And you can finally churn out that masterpiece you’ve been working on.
Success Loves Speed,
Craig
