21 Feb Finish Your Manuscript … 5 Basic Book Writing Hacks for Authors

Can’t Complete Your Book? These Are the Ultimate Writing Hacks to Finalise Your Manuscript 

Written by Daniela Cavalletti

This weekend I met up with one of my dearest friends; let’s call him ‘Steve’, to protect the innocent. So, Steve and I got chatting about this, that and the other over a nice long lunch, as you do. One of our favourite subjects amongst philosophy, science, and our families is … writing.

Book shops are our nirvana, the crazy idiosyncrasies of the English language make us giddily happy, and neither of us is ever without a pen and notebook (I know, we might need to get out more … we did have lunch at an actual restaurant, though).

Anyway, good old Steve wasn’t himself. So I did what any good friend would do: I let him hang in there and tell me when he’s good and ready to. Because that’s how you get this man to spill. Sure enough, he finally caved.

“So, are you ever going to ask me about my bloody book?” he grunted irritably. “Ok, … if I must: how’s your book coming along, Steve?” I carefully ventured. Now, Steve’s been ‘writing’ his business book for at least three years now. I couldn’t be sure how it’s going, because I hadn’t seen a single written page. Because of that, naturally, I mostly try and keep stumm about the subject unless he brings it up. Because a “you’ve been writing your book for, wait, … how long now?!”, might not be the kindest thing to let slip out accidentally.

Life Vs. Author

Once you’ve started writing your book – be it a business book, picture book or a novel – the hardest part can be finishing it. Life (like becoming a father, as in Steve’s case) tends to get in the way. Confidence crumbles (“what if I actually have nothing worthwhile to say, argh….?”). And the old-fashioned writer’s block tends to rear its ugly head for most authors, too.

Steve, it turns out, had a full dose of the latter. Lack of sleep due to a baby in the house doesn’t really help him feel utterly creative either. The crux of the matter is, though: he has a deadline. In a few months’ time, he and his partner will swap stay-at-home roles and he’ll be home alone with his daughter all day. Writing will be tough to fit in.

Steve asked for my advice to “get that damn book finished in time!”. Because, turns out, he has indeed already written about 19,000 words – and they are rather good! Yes, he finally showed me his manuscript that day, and I cannot wait to read the finished book.

Here is what I told Steve.

#1 – Write to a Deadline

While it works for many, other writers aren’t really motivated by word count goals. That leaves them a bit at a loose end. To them I recommend: try and write towards a deadline. Steve has this one already sorted. He does have that big-change date looming over his head.

For him, and anyone writing to a deadline, breaking down the writing schedule into book sections and chapters, plus allocating space in the timeline for research, creating a glossary, dedications, acknowledgements, etc. is essential:

1. Make molehills out of mountains – then create a deadline for each item on your timeline
2. Hit that goal – you can add rewards for deadlines met, if that works for you (… mmm, donuts!)
3. Repeat

#2 – Writer’s Block? Just Get Writing!

But what about that writer’s block Steve has, you ask? Just because you’ve hit a big fat hurdle in your creativity and writing, that doesn’t mean that you have to surrender to it. No matter how (in)experienced you may be as an author, it’s always possible to become a more efficient writer.

Don’t let a simple writer’s block stop you from getting on with finishing your book. Having this temporary difficulty doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to say. Writer’s block is rarely about lack of inspiration or knowledge, but much more about fear of not being good enough, saying the wrong thing, and a perfectionist’s way of procrastinating.

The remedy then?

Allow yourself to just enjoy the writing – and to potentially only create an average first or next draft. Most famous authors have areas they are terrible at (many have at the very least research assistants doing the leg work). That’s why they have editors to polish their valuable raw rocks into shiny diamonds.

Only you can offer your unique knowledge, perspective, IP and voice – let the world hear it! Your editor will help you with the rest.

For now, simply get your head down and …. write.

#3 – Write Often, Write Heaps

To finish your manuscript, you do have to write enough words. 5,000 words does not a book make (maybe a mini-guide ebook, but that’s another story). For your book to have the wow factor you desire and make a real impact on your reader you need a minimum word count. And, remember, your final draft manuscript will likely shed some words in the editing rounds.

Therefore, you have to (over)write. And write a lot.

The minimum length for a business book to raise your profile is 30,000 words. Any less and it will look sad and skinny in its printed version. The average non-fiction book, though, that you may have bought in a bookstore is between 50,000 to 100,000 words long. If you’re still stuck at the 19,000-word mark, you still have a bit of ground to cover.

What you need to do, is to get consistent.

• Each day, at the same time, preferably, sit down to write
• Pick a spot where you feel relaxed
• Switch off all noise and online distractions; your phone, notifications, email, Facebook … all of it
• Set yourself an achievable goal of, say 1,000 or 3,000 words per day
• Even if you have no new ideas, stay put; stick with the routine (the famous authors do)
• Each new day, quickly read only the previous day’s copy, lightly edit or mark up anything that needs revising, then move on to today’s writing goal

Before you know it, your word count is soaring and you have a full first draft manuscript completed – congratulations!

#4 – Write Around Distractions

Now, writing to a schedule is all fine and dandy, but your brain and life will throw you the odd curveball. Distractions are as certain to creep up as the next deadline. “Must not forget to pick up Sophia from soccer at 6!” your brain might scream at you, right in the middle of crafting a beautiful sentence. Quickly followed by, “shit, forgot to plan dinner … again!”

Humans are wired to be distracted. Our minds constantly beaver away in the background, ask us questions and make us aware of things. Ignoring your own brain only works for so long; you’ll have to give in in the end. But you can outwit your busy mind:

• Have a notes file open on your computer, use the reminders app on your smartphone, or have pen and paper handy to make any notes
• Jot down the things your brain shouts at you and that you must not forget to do later
• Distractions dealt with, hurrah!
• Relax back into writing
• Work on the to-dos in your breaks or when they’re due otherwise

Author 1 : Distractions 0 … Nice work!

#5 – Don’t Just Write, Breathe + Move

Creativity needs a fresh mind and a hunger for discovery. Working for 10 hours solid on your book manuscript might work on the odd occasion. Generally, though, and when done repeatedly for too long, this produces crappy writing. And a lousy posture and mood besides.

No matter how long your dedicated writing period is each day, you’ll need regular breaks to stay fresh and keep your writing fun and interesting. There’s not much point in you exhausting yourself to the level of hating your own book or writing process, right?

Without you looking after your mind and body, and creating a balance between them, you cannot produce an outstanding book:

• I write (and generally work) in 37* minute blocks, then take a 7-17* minute break away from the desk and screens; every four cycles I take a longer break. Why these odd times? Because I love the number seven. Plus, half an hour is too short to seriously get into the zone and produce a solid chunk of fabulous content. But 45 minutes can be too long to sit hunkered down, focus and still feel good physically and mentally.
• No, reading news on your smartphone is not taking a break!
• Instead, walk up and down the stairs; put on the laundry if you’re writing from home, or feed the cat; call a friend to say hi
• Engage with the world, get moving and tick off things from your to-do list to feel good. Get out into nature (even on a gloomy, rainy day); go to the gym for a longer break and a dose of happiness hormones
• Have proper, healthy meals

Also, do give yourself a break when writing – creating a book manuscript rarely is a linear experience.

Stuck on a chapter, or somewhere cannot make your point perfectly yet? Skip right ahead after making a note to expand on that bit; jot down what you need to add, do hate/love or are simply unsure about. Keeping the flow going will ensure you stay engaged with your manuscript and ideas – and the gaps will almost fill themselves later when you have clarity about the whole of your book.

Wrapping Up …

After Steve and I talked through my list of tips and ideas to get him through the daunting task of finalising his business book, I sat back.

“So … how do you feel now about completing your manuscript draft, and in time?” I asked him, crossing my fingers under the table, out of his sight.

He thought for a moment or two.

“You know what,” Steve said, “I still feel it’s going to be a bit of a challenge, of course. But … now I know I can live up to being a decent author – and write a bloody excellent book before the bub will drive me bonkers!” Happy Steve, happy me …

So, I made him pay for lunch – and sent him home to his writing desk.