Six Things to Look at When Deciding on a Topic for a Book;
1. The book must be of great interest to you. If it is just a so-so interest it will be a so-so book.
2. You need some expertise or skill or knowledge base for what you are writing about.
3. It must be something other would find interesting as well.
4. It should be a niche area. Something with a small, but extensive, approach. Like, mushrooms would be too wide. Harvesting wild mushrooms for table use, would be a niche.
5. The people you wish to read your book must be easy to find. If people are interested in the subject, they have ways to find info. Do you know some of these? What did you do to learn more? Are there people looking for your book?
6. Is there enough people in this group?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
How Long Will a Book Take?
Writing a book is a tremendously individual affair. Brenner Information Group states that the average fiction book takes 475 hours to write, whereas the average non-fiction book takes 725 hours. Writing is most about perseverance, not talent. Which is a shock to most new writers. Given enough work, you do not require talent, though it will certainly help the process go smoother. Talent in writing is not natural born either. Writing and language are learned. This means you can learn to be talented at writing. Unlike sports, which have some innate abilities to them, writing is something that can be solely honed through practice and dedication.
Writing a book means will power. The power to sit, and sit, and sit. The power to keep punching those keys when the couch looks so much better. The power to believe the words will come when your mind decides to not play fair. The power to know, and not expect yourself, to be perfect. Very, if any writers are perfect. That is why there is editing and typically four revisions at least.
There are books whose first draft took only days, but relying on that will only dishearten you when the stumbling blocks come. Organization is key. Many writers set up a binder with their book pages in it. This is very beneficial because as it fills up, so does your muster. You can also carry it around and work on it every time you come across a spare moment or two. Some writers are lunch hour writers, and have written whole books on their lunch hour. Most of all you have to plan your work hours or time slips and the book lies unfinished.
Book are doable, never forget that. They fill in page by page. They thrust forward with each new implemented idea. They do have an end. So take up the pen and begin. Let your journey commence.
Writing a book means will power. The power to sit, and sit, and sit. The power to keep punching those keys when the couch looks so much better. The power to believe the words will come when your mind decides to not play fair. The power to know, and not expect yourself, to be perfect. Very, if any writers are perfect. That is why there is editing and typically four revisions at least.
There are books whose first draft took only days, but relying on that will only dishearten you when the stumbling blocks come. Organization is key. Many writers set up a binder with their book pages in it. This is very beneficial because as it fills up, so does your muster. You can also carry it around and work on it every time you come across a spare moment or two. Some writers are lunch hour writers, and have written whole books on their lunch hour. Most of all you have to plan your work hours or time slips and the book lies unfinished.
Book are doable, never forget that. They fill in page by page. They thrust forward with each new implemented idea. They do have an end. So take up the pen and begin. Let your journey commence.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Is a Book for You?
Books are an awesome choice because it is a product which can reproduce itself. You only have so much time you can leverage and get paid for. Books go beyond time. Even while you sleep your book is working for you. You are like a consultant which can be reached at all hours, by any number of people.
By using a book to provide information about a product, your book product does double duty. There is more sales potential in selling information about a product then there is in a product itself and a book can do that too. For example, take a phone. You have one phone for sale. It fills one need. A book on phones, however, fills many more needs because it addresses all that are looking for a phone, whether or not they actually buy that one phone or any at all.
Books reach more people too. They speak to all types of people, all influences of people, and all stations of people. Your message gets delivered efficiently and widely.
“Books are the carriers of civilization.” –Barbara Tuchman, historian
A book is also an ideal product because it is fairly cheap, easy to produce and quick. eBooks are even quicker, and they have no printing costs, inventory or shipping.
Books are a safe bet because the copyright (which is easiest of all copyrights to obtain) makes you the sole source. As the sole source you can set your own price, which is a major advantage.
Can you think of any more reasons a book is for you?
By using a book to provide information about a product, your book product does double duty. There is more sales potential in selling information about a product then there is in a product itself and a book can do that too. For example, take a phone. You have one phone for sale. It fills one need. A book on phones, however, fills many more needs because it addresses all that are looking for a phone, whether or not they actually buy that one phone or any at all.
Books reach more people too. They speak to all types of people, all influences of people, and all stations of people. Your message gets delivered efficiently and widely.
“Books are the carriers of civilization.” –Barbara Tuchman, historian
A book is also an ideal product because it is fairly cheap, easy to produce and quick. eBooks are even quicker, and they have no printing costs, inventory or shipping.
Books are a safe bet because the copyright (which is easiest of all copyrights to obtain) makes you the sole source. As the sole source you can set your own price, which is a major advantage.
Can you think of any more reasons a book is for you?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
What Writing a Non-Fiction Book Can Do For You
There are many valid and compelling reasons for writing a non-fiction book. It could be that you have a personal mission, that you want to help other people, that you desire credibility or fame and fortune. All are attainable with a book. All can make writing a book the adventure that makes sense.
It is important to, "Chase the passion, not the profit," as Terri Lonier, author of Working Solo, states. When you have a "higher" goal it creates a better product. It inspires others to march to the same beat and listen to your words. You will have more sales, and thus, the profit will follow. It also helps you through the long hours of writing a book. It helps you through all the revisions and struggles in getting published.
Helping others is one of the most noble of quests. It enriches humanity and provides benefits to others' lives. When using the non-fiction book, a how-to book immediately comes to mind. More "how-to" books are sold than all fiction books combined. Your audience (and customers) is vast. You can use a hobby for which you are immersed in and make it into a book. If you find it interesting, others will too. A book could pay for your hobby and all of your hobby purchases will become tax deductible.
Credibility is one of the most coveted of reasons to write a non-fiction book. Presuming it is decently written, you will gain instant credibility. We value authors highly in our society. A book is a more effective avenue than CD's and DVD's. A book can lead to valued seminars, which have recently replaced autograph parties in a large part. It is also very impressive to the resume. You just can't go wrong as long as you give quality to your audience. You might wish to note, that if your objective is credibility, you will not just want your book to be in e-books. You will still want a paper, or "hard-copy," book as well.
Fame and fortune is not a bad thing to look towards. The best way to look at these goals is to see them as stops along the road. A road that could take a while to traverse. You will want to look at shorter goals first, such as quality writing, progressive publicity, and some or all of the above goals of passion and helping others. If you don't, you run the risk of not having selflessness in your product and becoming down-hearted too soon. There is also a life for your book after fame and fortune to consider.
It is important to, "Chase the passion, not the profit," as Terri Lonier, author of Working Solo, states. When you have a "higher" goal it creates a better product. It inspires others to march to the same beat and listen to your words. You will have more sales, and thus, the profit will follow. It also helps you through the long hours of writing a book. It helps you through all the revisions and struggles in getting published.
Helping others is one of the most noble of quests. It enriches humanity and provides benefits to others' lives. When using the non-fiction book, a how-to book immediately comes to mind. More "how-to" books are sold than all fiction books combined. Your audience (and customers) is vast. You can use a hobby for which you are immersed in and make it into a book. If you find it interesting, others will too. A book could pay for your hobby and all of your hobby purchases will become tax deductible.
Credibility is one of the most coveted of reasons to write a non-fiction book. Presuming it is decently written, you will gain instant credibility. We value authors highly in our society. A book is a more effective avenue than CD's and DVD's. A book can lead to valued seminars, which have recently replaced autograph parties in a large part. It is also very impressive to the resume. You just can't go wrong as long as you give quality to your audience. You might wish to note, that if your objective is credibility, you will not just want your book to be in e-books. You will still want a paper, or "hard-copy," book as well.
Fame and fortune is not a bad thing to look towards. The best way to look at these goals is to see them as stops along the road. A road that could take a while to traverse. You will want to look at shorter goals first, such as quality writing, progressive publicity, and some or all of the above goals of passion and helping others. If you don't, you run the risk of not having selflessness in your product and becoming down-hearted too soon. There is also a life for your book after fame and fortune to consider.
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