Why not write a great book?

Feb 9, 2012 | Writing A Book

No matter what kind of book you write, you will work hard. You will spend a lot of money and put in a lot of time. The truth is, it takes about as much time, money, and effort to write a great book as it does to write a crummy one. Both will affect your reputation and career. So, why not write a great book?

Plan your book well.

I’ve had people tell me that they plan to “just sit down and write it.” That hardly ever works out well.

Make it original and personal.

Add your unique perspective. Use stories from your life and experience. Do some original research.

Pay attention to the details.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was right, God and excellence are in the details. Make sure you get the facts right. Make sure you use a consistent style throughout the book.

Lavish attention on your book.

Planning and writing your book may take a year of your life. But your book’s impact on your life and career will last forever. So make the effort to make it excellent.

Invest in quality-builders.

Get feedback at every stage of the process. Get writing help or coaching to make your book better. Invest in research and in professional editing.

You can write a great book. It’s not a matter of talent or even writing skill. If you can read a book you can produce a great book with the right help and lots of hard work.