5 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing Your Book

I realize we’re getting down to the wire. My live workshop intensive, How to Write & Publish Books That Change Lives, starts in two months and you’re probably wondering: should I go? Can I really write my book? Can I really change lives with it? The answers lie within you. Can you commit to the journey? Recently I came up with 5 questions to help you find your way. If you’re going to make the commitment to write your book it all starts here, even before you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Ask yourself these questions and let’s see where you stand.

1.) What is the change you envision for your reader?

How will a person be different after they’ve read your book? Will someone be able to make a decision? Will they take action? Will they have faith where they didn’t before? Will they reconnect with a loved one? That change is the reason people buy books. They want that result, they want to grow. Too many times I’ve asked authors why they want to write a book and heard in reply, “I just want to get the information out there.”

That’s just not good enough. When have you heard someone say they bought a book “just to get the information”? And how will that image be motivating enough to get you writing when the going gets tough? The end point must be more engaging, inspiring. You’ll want to feel that urgency to get the book into the reader’s hands because you know without a doubt it can make a difference for them.

2.) What is the change you envision for yourself?

Speaking of motivation, you won’t finish the book if you don’t have your own incentive. You could be writing the book for business reasons, in which case the change you want could be an increase in clients, speaking engagements or sales. If you’re writing for personal reasons, maybe you’re hoping to teach the material you’re writing about, or start a movement around a challenge you’re struggling with. No one who writes a book is ever the same person again. How will you be different? How badly do you want that change for yourself?

3.) Are you confident in your material?

If you’re not confident, what do you need to do to help you get confident? Maybe you have a grain of an idea that’s intriguing, but untested. You have two months before the workshop. That’s plenty of time for you to get a few people together and teach a simple teleseminar on your topic. Get their feedback. Were they excited about it? Do they have suggestions on how you can improve the material. Did it make a difference for them?

Do you need to do any research? Go ahead and do it–just don’t over-research. You’ll put yourself out of action before you even begin!

4.) Why do you care about this material?

You must be personally invested in your work. In the popular novel The Help, a New York City editor writes to the aspiring writer Skeeter and tells her, “Don’t waste your time on the obvious things. Write about what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else.”

Why is this important? Because your passion, your enthusiasm, will shine through in your writing. The reader will be able to feel it and truly plug into your message. I’ve mentioned before the book The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.  One of the best things about it is you can tell the author is invested in his material through and through. He’s passionate about it. If you doubt it, just listen to the audiobook, read by the author. He’s bubbling with energy, almost growling with enthusiasm. Can you find such a connection with your material?

5.) What are you willing to do to make your book happen?

Writing a book is a big, important endeavor. You’ll need support. Will you get it? Are you willing to have the tough conversations with your family to ask for what you need to help you get your book done? Are you willing to seek out professionals who will help you? It’s a very specific decision. When you decide to travel and attend a workshop such as How to Write & Publish Books That Change Lives, you are making a commitment to your book and to the change you want to bring about in the world.

I understand that commitment. That’s why I assembled the best experts for you and created a day that will be extremely valuable. I know that what you have to offer the world is amazing. Come join us, and we’ll show you how to write your book, get it produced and share your insight with the many readers waiting for it. See you in October!