Ranjith asked:


Professionals today often spend between 30-60% of their time writing, and most of these people have no formal training in writing. This means that a substantial part of the task is more difficult when you have to.

E-mail is a typical example. In the current state of the world of work, information technology allows communication to all employees to access E-mail and the Internet. This has produced mixed results. On the positive side, which have direct e-mails often you make the job easier, in some ways less costly and more effective. On the negative side, more and more people are writing on behalf of the society, without written permission from the skills and knowledge on the protocols of society, or what is reasonable or professional, in a statement. This can lead to serious and potentially costly problems or difficulties with customers.

Effective business writing skills thoughtful and offers greater efficiency, and to allow for better internal and customer relationships.

Once students of different academic levels, the concept of business paper, should consider the statement of discussion, once again, to research, prepare and write. It is useful to begin with a definition of the category Business paper a student is well aware of this and feel good, and that the delay work on more difficult topics until we develop a sense of good business concept paper Personalized. It is also very important to make changes, sections reorganize and rewrite paragraphs term corporate paper. And do not forget to mention transitional measures appropriate words and phrases to understand, help the reader, associations and discrepancies between a title and another company, the concept of paper.

Students who need help, because it lends itself to the planning, research, the economy and write a term paper, you will find the following guidelines to the letter, as a professional business very concept paper useful. If the appointment is not days or weeks, we help you stay on track invaluable tips and tricks.

First, students, you will have an entry for the term corporate paper.

If students assigned to write a term paper businesses, their teachers or counselors, they can choose from a list of themes, the overall theme or a category for the user’s business paper, or on their own theme. This project is just the starting point for finding a real connection with the notion of the business paper. Secondly, the planning and implementation of research for the definition of paper

It is desirable that students, before exiting and data collection, to stop and think about what they need. For most business term papers, the university students of all backgrounds or university-level institution is expected that research using secondary sources rather than primary research, through surveys or other methods.

Once students need to determine exactly what the sources are available, as their time constraints and constraints.

Read more here Custom Business Writing Services

Samuel Carter asked:

 

Do not wait until you are finished with your qualifying/comprehensive exams to start thinking about a termpaper topic. Without a term paper topic, you cannot proceed with researching or term paper writing.

The first tip for selecting term paper topic is to keep Things in Perspective. Choose a termpaper topic that can grab the interest and attention of student, experts in the field and the student’s advisor and committee members, who will be reading it actually.

Be organized and efficient in your search efforts. The more organized you are in the beginning, the more time you will have to write your term paper. For a successful term paper, you should always choose a subject area before choosing term paper topic. Term paper topic would surface in your mind automatically. Your reading will help you in choosing a brilliant termpaper topic. As the more you read, the better your ideas for the term paper topic will be. It is better to take help from your instructor about the termpaper writing topic.

Your termpaper topic should be interesting. It is imperative that both you and your advisor are interested in your term paper topic. If your instructor finds your term paper topic interesting, you will get support and feedback which is extremely crucial if your desire to create a masterpiece.

Your term paper topic, no matter how brilliant it is, can’t get you good marks if the research problem you have chosen is unsolvable and unmanageable.

It is imperative to keep your term paper topic original. Though, it requires a lot of research and reading but it is better than choosing the already studied topic as the chances of learning here are absolutely greater.

An original term paper topic enables you to broaden the horizon of your learning. The creative and original your term paper topic will, the better the mark will be. Moreover, termpaper topic helps you in increasing the scale of knowledge and sharpens your research skills.

scothattayde asked:


Paper writing remains to be the most despised activity for most students. It is something that every student can find rational excuse of not doing so. It has been considered burdensome as a lot of students don’t look forward to doing it. Why? Here are some lucid reasons:

1.Not interested in writing or dislike writing per se.

Many students are reluctant to do their writing assignments because of lack of interest. One can never force someone to like something. Because writing demands a lot from the writer, students commonly dislike the entire writing process. This lack of interest therefore transforms into hatred for writing. That’s why paper writing activities such as essays, term papers, and the likes are normally bought.

2.Lack of skill

Students buy term papers, essays, and other academic writings because of lack in writing skill. This lack in skill becomes an insecurity that eventually leads to hatred for writing. Paper writing calls for sophisticated skill in spellings, composition, grammar, and idea organization. Assembling thoughts into a cohesive written piece is quite a skill-driven activity. The skill of creating an efficient piece of writing undoubtedly is god-given but it also demands lots of practice and attention to the subject – something that most students fail to do.

3.Time pressure

The pressure of pending work and successive writing assignment deadlines make students nervous, anxious and reluctant to initiate writing. This uncomfortable feeling leads to disgust. With tons of work loads to worry about, paper writing activity adds up to the anxiety because its complex process requires scrupulous eye for details.

4.Boring topic

Some students feel bored writing on similar topics again and again. This boredom also converts to hatred for writing. Dull and uninteresting subjects don’t stimulate the intellects of writers. Students tend to avoid writing assignments if the topic fail to excite their interest.

Not all students possess the drive and skill of writing impressive papers. Although paper writing is one important part of the curriculum, students just have their logical reasons not to love it that much.

 

David Clair asked:


The most obvious advantage of the collaborative writing process is summed up well in the old saying, “two heads are better than one.” Having more than one person working on a writing project increases the amount of combined knowledge of the authors. In areas of intelligence where one person is weak, others may be strong, and vice versa. If utilized properly, the collective intelligence of a group of writers can be a powerful resource.

Another advantage of the collaborative process is having multiple pairs of eyes to proofread the writing. Having a fresh perspective is vital when proofreading, so the more people looking at the writing, the higher the likelihood that mistakes will be identified and improvements will be made.

Creativity can be fueled when multiple writers brainstorm with each other. That is another great advantage to the collaborative writing process. One writer can propose an idea, and another can expand on it and complement it.

A disadvantage of this process is the possibility of opposing opinions on how best to represent the given information. If some members of the collaborative process are unwilling to compromise, this can be a serious obstacle. Additionally, conflicting schedules of a writing team can make it hard for a project to be completed.

In a collaborative process, if certain tasks are assigned to members of the group, the writing will only be as good as the weakest portion of the project. If not all members of the group are professional and serious-minded, the work will suffer.

Individual processes might be preferable when writing about personal experiences, or when the subject matter is very narrow and the deadline is tight.

Eren asked:


Writing Articles: A mini course in article writing: how to write & sell articles

(Based on author’s site www.geocities.com/wriart)

Article writing techniques: how to write articles for prestige, writing & selling freelance articles

Many aspiring article writers are put off by many books on writing articles and writers courses which, with voluminous detail on writing articles and analysis of article writing techniques, cause those aspiring to write articles to be confused about how to write articles, to loose interest in writing articles.

Many columnists earning a living by writing articles did not learn their craft from books on how to write articles or writing courses.

Writing articles to many is a means of earning a living. The field of article writing is one in which it matters not whether you are a writing class graduate or a DLitt., or have no formal exam. pass. To write articles you need only reasonable spelling and general knowledge from reading articles in newspapers or magazines, watching documentaries or news. If you lack the discipline and the patience to write books, novels, movie-scripts, you still can enjoy money and fame writing articles. The article writing market is wide: local or national newspapers, juvenile or teen-age, trade or international magazines all need articles, and writers to write articles. You can write articles on ‘how to’ issues, on issues you feel strongly about and can state opinions.

Freelance Article Writing

Not all possess knowledge or interest to write articles arguing issues. But there are many topics on which anyone can write articles. Many interested in writing articles use files or labelled envelopes to keep magazine or newspaper cuttings, or an exercise book to jot news or ideas in. These help in writing articles; and there are writers’ sources listing important events past, present, or future as topics to write articles on. Reference or quotations books are ideas sources for topics for writing articles. In writing articles, in all article writing, more than the subjects on which writers write articles, how interestingly to the readers they write articles is what sells articles, makes popular.

The trend in writing articles is: biographical, historical; more, on home economics, increasingly philosophical; always human interest articles. You do not have to write articles on these -you may write articles on anything if informative, interesting, and not libelous (e.g., nothing “is not” good but only “I think it is not”). 

When you write articles, the copyright is yours, whether you sold your article or contributed gratis -unless the copyright has been specifically bought. When you write articles and sell them, normally you sell printing rights. Most buy first publication rights, in the USA some reprint rights. Monies from freelance writing are taxable income.

The Copyright Conventions (incorporated as Intellectual Property Rights) are voluntary agreements which many nations subscribe to with laws basically same but varying in detail. It entitles any author of any country to economic protection in any member country for a period of 50 years from the authors death –but does allow reproduction of parts reasonably in the scientific or literary works by acknowledging the author as a matter of ethics and courtesy ~except in, e.g., the USA and Israel under the Fair Use doctrine which allows more extensively for various purposes [if, e.g., it does not exploit the market] reproduction in whole without the permission and the knowledge of the author. One may not be prosecuted for copyright infringement (except in some cases of digital reproduction), but if can show resultant economic loss (e.g., that one would have financially benefited oneself) one may sue civil law –and it is lawful (without defaming = if true) to reasonably publicize plagiarism.

(If you submit an articles to internet article-sites copyright-free, despite reputable ones’  conditions for re-publication, beware, by some they may re-published without any links or be plagiarized [appear under an author name other than your name or pen-name/s]  –as, e.g., this article had been plagiarised on academic ‘ilmkidunya’.)

When writing articles also bear in mind: some publications will not consider unsolicited articles; all want the freelance articles you write to be word-processed, double spaced, with the number of words stated -approx. 1,500 (longer if asked), and your contact details. Submit topical freelance articles at least three months early. If proposing writing a column send at least six articles.

Policies in Article Writing

It is disadvantageous to write articles to submit speculatively. While established writers do write articles to be syndicated, it is advantageous for the newly interested in writing articles to write for newspapers or magazines which they are familiar with, or to familiarise themselves with newspapers or magazines which they wish to write articles for. The USA’s Writer’s Market or even Writer’s Handbook, or the UK’s rather limited Writer’s & Artist’s Yearbook or its Canadian equivalent may help, glancing though the publications one is interested in writing articles for suffices.

Remember when writing articles: newspapers’, magazines’ preferences differ. Cosmopolitan’s emphasis differs than She’s -itself different than in 1970s; policies also change as Ink’s in 1980s. In freelance article writing also style matters: The Sun or Daily Mirror use much shorter sentences than the Times; keep to the ‘fox-index’ -average sentence length. Ask a magazine you want to write articles for, for complimentary copy -college magazines, trade journals aren’t widely available.

Do not offend readers. In writing freelance articles the readership sensitivities matter. “We know Byron’s reason –what’s yours?” wrote the witty Cypriot writer-thinker-poet, the late,  teacher Orhan Seyfi Ari in Birlik in a open letter to a British Prime Minister –whether the author’s stance on the issue in the editor’s opinion from the point of view of the readership would be applauded or frowned upon is a matter entirely of readership sensitivities, generally or on a particular issue at the relevant time and circumstance. More so is language used. Language acceptable to Playgirl is not to Lady magazine. Few publications allow four-letter words; some require above-average inoffensive language. In writing articles bear in mind the sensitivities of the readership your article is for.

In writing articles to freelance remember: what to the American is ‘chips’ to the British is ‘crisps’. In writing articles pay attention to these -it matters: ‘rubber’ in Britain, ‘durex’ in Australia is ‘eraser’ -in the UK ‘durex’, in the USA ‘rubber’ is condom.

If writing articles for teenagers or juveniles do not talk down to them -they like to be treated as grown-ups. The taboos in writing articles for them are: gambling, crime, cruelty, playing on differences of rich and poor, ideologies, politics, war ~subjects considered detrimental to their physical and mental development. What to you may have been ‘groovy, super, divine’ to them is ‘cool’. Some teenage publications concentrate on teenage love, but bear in mind when writing articles for them, more than sexual, it is sympathetic, romantic, idealised love.

Preparation in Writing Articles

1. Subjects in Article Writing

Remember in article writing: most profitable businesses have always been in the fields, in this order, of: money, food, ***.

The most successful soap-operas are about the lives, life-styles, of the wealthy. People like to read about them, copy them ~not everybody purchase at the Ideal Home Exhibition, but many buy the Ideal Home magazine to inexpensively to copy from it. Most magazines and newspapers, even The Times, has cookery columns -cookery books sell ‘like hot cake’. Magazine and newspaper agony or advice columns are often about problems directly or indirectly involving *** -a paperback on how to tell if a man was cheating on a woman, in one single day had to be re-stocked several times by Selfridges and Harrods, on first night went into third print!

It pays in article writing. But article writing can be on, e.g., water.

2. Viewpoint in Writing Articles

If you are writing articles, e.g., for a water-bottling firm’s trade magazine, write from its viewpoint: ‘bottled water better!’ … Or…

Cookery column: how water can be used to make lighter pastry.

Health magazine: how water contains all the elements essential for health. Woman’s magazine: that it refreshes, keeps the skin and hair young, and how. Teenage magazine -boys: magnet on glass of water, oxygen’s qualities…

Teenage magazines -girls: blue roses, pink daises with ink in water.

Children’s magazine: germinating peas on wetted blotting paper.

The viewpoints of most magazines are at a glance obvious. Article writing does not necessitate detailed study of magazines.

3. Write Articles with Catchy Titles

An example cited can not be bettered: ‘Princess ***** in Canteen’ -money, food, ***! Write articles with interesting titles.

We are writing an article about water -what title for our article?

If for water-bottling trade journal, ‘Healthiest Drink Unhealthy’.

Cookery column: ‘Lighter Baking with Water.’

Health magazine: ‘Water’s Good for You’.

Woman’s magazine: ‘Look Younger with Water.’

Teenage magazine -boys: ‘Amaze with Water’…

Teenage magazines -girls: ‘Colour Flowers with Water.’

Children’s magazine: ‘Magical Pea Shoots with Water!’

A publisher is quoted to have told a writer: “Just tell me the title and I’ll tell you if I’ll publish it.” Write articles with catchy titles.

(If your articles are for internet media, e.g., article sites, you must ensure to include in the body of your article. in your title and description [as well as in your key/search-words/tags] related important words which considerably affect search-engine rank and listings.) 

How to Write Articles

Article writing are of many kinds. Writing articles of the informative kind there are two kinds of, which differ from most other kinds of article writing: the instructive ‘how to’ articles (e.g., some cookery columns), and the descriptive travel articles. Often they are accompanied by photographs or drawings.

These techniques of writing articles vary. State the title, begin: e.g.: ‘How to Repair a Punctured Bicycle Tire’… 1. Inflate it (illustration)… 2. Place it in a bucket of water (illustration)… 3. Look for air bubbles (illustration)… etc. Or, (unless to attract tourists or praise or criticise), e.g.: ‘Cyprus’… Geographically situated in the Mediterranean (a map)… The history of this little island… Prominent in this district is the St. Hilarion Castle (picture), etc.

Generally, in writing freelance articles, stick to the rules below.

4. ‘The Beginning’ in Article Writing

When writing an article begin by briefly saying what the article is about. Tell readers what your article is going to tell them. Whet their appetite for what you will tell them, in less than 100 words.

In writing articles, at the beginning, create a little ‘suspense’…

Cookery: ‘Did you know that you can surprise, amaze, with your baking -make others ask for your recipes? You can, using water ~they’ll ask the secret!’

Health: ‘Water isn’t only essential for our proper functioning, both, physically and mentally; it’s healthier than fruit juice -more than orange, grape juice.’

Beauty: ‘Can water keep you young? Have you ever wondered why flowers in a vase stay fresh only so long as there is water in it -and why the water needs to be changed to keep them fresh? Water can work wonders for your skin!’

Teen boys: ‘Have you ever used a magnet on water? The qualities of water are amazing! With a magnet you can raise the water, amaze your friends!’

Teen girls: ‘Do you want to have blue roses, pink daisies in vase-full, overnight, impressively to beautify your room -be the envy of your friends?’

Children: ‘Can you grow pea shoots without planting them? Here’s how!’

Most freelance articles are rejected within three seconds at a glance at the beginning. Write articles with interesting beginnings.

5. ‘The Middle’ in Writing Articles

In about 1,300 words now tell what you said you were going to…

Cookery: which pastry or cakes, which tars or pies.. How they are normally made with milk, wine or rum -and to substitute water for parts of them.

Health: the qualities, constituents of water; why it is essential, which vitamins contain fruit, vegetable juices; how water contains all those with more.

Beauty: why, indeed, it is that flowers in a vase need water to remain fresh, how flowers whither if the water in the vase is not changed daily to replace the used up oxygen in it.. and that so is all life, so our bodies and skins.

Teen boys: the reason for tides, magnetic pull of the moon on oxygen in water; that water is two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen; ‘lunatic’ from ‘luna’, lunar pull on our bodies -80% liquid; magnet on glass raises water.

Teen girls: white roses, stems in water at night with few drops of blue ink; how, why petals blue by morning; and yellow daisies, with red ink.

Children: how, why, peas on wetted blotting paper in box small grows shoots.

In article writing, in the middle you expand the beginning, and also justify the point to be made or emphasised in the ending.

6. Write Articles with Good Endings

When you write articles summarise them at the end. In freelance article writing this is done with a paragraph of not more than 200 words, or two of not more than 100 words each.

Endings of articles are regarded as ‘telling them what you have told them.’ In article writing readers expect a point to be made or emphasised in the ending -make them feel privileged, go “How so, indeed!”, or “Well, if viewed from that point, of course so.” A articles do not have to argue points, but must end satisfactorily.

Bottled-water journal: ‘How unhealthy is tap water! Bless you bottled water!’

Cookery column: ‘A great way to save on ingredients and impress friends!’

Health magazine: ‘Why not supplement health foods with water? It’s free!’

Woman’s magazine: ‘Who wouldn’t love to look younger? Let water help!’

Teenage boys magazine: ‘Great for showing off, amazing your friends, huh?’

Teenage girls magazine: ‘Blue roses, pink daises… Friends green with envy!’

Children’s magazine: ‘Is your electronic pet real? Peas you can nurture are!’

Remember when writing articles, in the ending to be consistent. Briefly state conclusion/s based on ‘the middle’, and your point.

What to Expect from Writing Articles

Some write articles to aid causes. Many are interested in writing and selling articles. The former is rare; the latter hardly think of most aspiring writers, wanting simply to see their names in print.

Writing and Selling Articles

One may write and sell an article only to meet a financial need. For those interested in earning their living or regularly supplementing their income by writing and selling articles, the article market is wide and lucrative. You can write a subject from different angles, write and sell articles on the same subject to many publications -e.g., ‘water’, environmentally (boat-house, pools in parks) or as a form of energy (hydro-electricity). Writers sources list magazine payments for freelance articles from $50 to $3,000 each, re-saleable as reprint articles to some others.

Writing Articles for Influence or Prestige

Writing articles sometimes is to influence, or for prestige: e.g., an image building article on a celebrity may be sold not to the Daily Mail, but for less to the Sun read by more; one who may write and sell articles with a scientific flavour for more to the Reader’s Digest may prefer publication in Scientific American.

Feature article writing can be to write creative articles to sell or to influence. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’? Not immediately, but yes: a black lady’s account in the New Yorker of her treatment at British customs brought from top politicians week long repeated public apologies -of greater importance was to China to a New York Times reporter’s visit than a US president’s.

Creative or inspirational article writing can be for prestige, with literary aspirations: fame. Being a writer, to others, makes one very special. If one is not only published because of the e.g., public, office held, then even merely aspiring to be a writer makes one special to others. In the trial of Lady Chatterley’s Lover as acceptable a literary expert witness as the top columnist of the Times was an unpublished young lady who was writing a novel.

If your article writing ambitions include power, the influence of some columnists’, concentrate on writing socio-political feature articles, perhaps first locally -be inoffensive, factual, logical…

Newspaper -end: ‘Bottled costs money! When will tap water be safe to drink!?’

If you aspire to writing intellectual or literary articles try college magazines -note: they tend to be ‘modern’. Such ‘littles’ often pay in copies, but are regarded as publishers of ‘quality writing’.

Littles titles: ‘Is Global Warming and Melting Icebergs Worth the Expense?’

‘Inspirational Beauty of Water-ways Viewed from a Hill-top in Fall at Sunset’

Is literary article writing beyond some writers? Conrad influenced English literature -he learned English in the merchant-navy.

There is not more than the above to article writing, whether you aspire to writing articles to sell, or to write articles for prestige.

May interest: Teacher, Thinker, Poet, Writer

Patrika Vaughn asked:


Writing a book is a lot like getting married. It is intensely personal, it calls for a big commitment, and it requires a sustained effort. And like marriage, it carries no guarantee of success. Books and marriages often fail for the same reasons. The most common reason is that the writer doesn’t know enough about the four essential components of a successful book. It may surprise you to know that the first and most important of these components is the self.

1) self — Many writers get an idea and jump into writing about it, never giving any thought to the motive behind writing it. Yet why you want to write helps determine what you write. The second component is:

2) the subject –Do you know enough about your topic to convey how your (or your character’s) experiences felt? Do you know enough to teach your readers what they want to know about the subject? The third essential component is

3) the readers — Are you clear about who you are writing this book for? Do you know the profile of the ideal reader of this book? The fourth component is, of course, the actual writing of the book. This includes the format, mechanics, style, tone, etc. 4) the writing– Do you know the writing techniques that will create and sustain reader interest in your book? If you have sufficient knowledge about your motives, your subject and your readers, you’ve already solved many of the most aggravating problems of writing. Successful writing requires a harmonious blend of writer, subject and reader. When this is achieved, an alchemy takes place. This alchemy informs the writing process, cutting through the common problems writers face. Once the alchemy is there, a writer can usually work swiftly and efficiently, avoiding many writing pitfalls and completing the book in less time than (s)he expected it to take. Achieving this alchemy depends on knowing a number of things about yourself, the writer, and your motives; about the subject to be written about, and knowing some essentials about the people you hope will read your book. Let’s take a look at each of them:

WHY YOU WANT TO WRITE: Maybe you’ve always dreamed of achieving fame and fortune as an author. You’ve pictured yourself chatting with David Letterman or Jay Leno, or being interviewed on Good Morning, America. You see yourself autographing books for a long line of admiring readers or standing before large audiences, telling them about your book. Perhaps you see your book being made into a movie. Do you know what kind of book to write to turn this dream into a reality? Maybe you want to write as a means of self-actualization. You know you have things to say that others will find interesting but you’ve never taken the time to organize them into a meaningful text. Writing a book can create just the opportunity you need to organize your vast body of knowledge on a subject, or to explore your own psychological depths. Do you know who would be interested in reading this book? Or maybe you hope to gain immortality, to perpetuate yourself through your autobiography. Other reasons for writing an autobiography include creating a legacy for your family, to give children and grandchildren a sense of belonging and continuity. Your motive for writing a book might be to help others. You may have pioneered an experience (anything from a self-cure for cancer to roller blading across the U.S.) or discovered a new or better way to do something. What you’ve done or learned could help others, and you want to write a book to share. Do you know who would welcome this information? Recording knowledge, experience or history is a valuable contribution. It can bring fame and fortune, help you self-actualize, advance your career or be a way to spend your spare time constructively. Your book could provide an important teaching tool. It is important for you to know which of the above motives are your reasons for wanting to write, because your reasons are tightly connected to whether or not the kind of book you write will be a success.

WHAT YOU WANT TO WRITE

First, what types of books are there? Books can be broken down into fiction or non-fiction. Fiction includes general, romance, Gothic and historical novels; westerns; mysteries; suspense and adventure stories; children’s books. Nonfiction includes all factual books: how-to’s; cookbooks; books on history; art; travel, plus academic books on any area of knowledge. There are also hundreds of professional and trade journals which print articles in specific areas of interest. These can be written in any of the following nonfiction forms: news, feature, analysis, how-to, opinion, speculation, interview, inspirational, evaluative, study, narrative, history, journal, observations, creative nonfiction, summary, list or satire. Now, how can your motive influence the success of the kind of book you want to write? Well, consider these facts. According to the Writer’s Market, only 5% of writers earn over $80,000 a year. Your chances of attaining fame and fortune will be better, therefore, if you write the type of book that the greatest number of people want to read. It helps if it’s the kind of book that will translate well into film or video format. The most popular kinds of fiction books are love stories and legal thrillers. The most popular non-fiction books are how-to’s, followed by books on health care; men/women relationships; business and management advice; spiritual and psychological works, and dieting If your motive is self actualization or to help others, the popularity of your book will be a minimal factor for you. You may already know that your book will appeal to only a limited market. Who over 40, for instance, will be interested in roller blading across the United States? How many people will be interested in reading the history of your home town, or your opinions, evaluations, or your life story? Perhaps your main motive is career advancement. Will this purpose be best served by targeting beginners in your field as your audience? Your peers? Those who have been in the field longer than you? Do you know what differences in approach are needed to write successfully for these three different markets? The same questions apply to those who want to write a book to help others. Who are these people? How much do you know about them? Is your reason for helping them to impress them, to encourage them or to inform them? These are all factors in determining the contents and style of your book. Now you need to know if you have what it takes to write that book.

IF YOU CAN WRITE

Do you have the time to write? Do you like to write? Are you an idea person? Do you have patience? Do you have the training to be a polished writer? Can you make the emotional commitment to the type of solitude and perseverance required to write your book? Don’t get discouraged if you’ve answered no to some of these questions. By following the step-by-step approach outlined in my book, you’ll find that a time commitment of as little as one hour a day can get the job done. The essential part is your emotional commitment. You’ve got to believe in your project and believe in yourself. You have to be convinced of the importance of writing this book. You have to commit to it, and the best way to do that is to make a contract with yourself. Your contract is your vow. Decide on a time of day when you can consistently devote time to writing. Then assess how much time you can spend at it daily. Don’t overestimate. It’s important for you to write consistently each day, at the same time and if possible in the same location. If all you can realistically expect to devote to writing on a daily basis is fifteen minutes, then contract with yourself for fifteen minutes. Then, if it turns out that you can spend two hours at it on some days, consider that bonus time. Once you’re clear with yourself about when, where, and what time you can give to your writing, write a simple contract with yourself: Here’s an example:

 

I am a writer, now engaged in the writing of a book about __________________. I pledge to devote __________(minutes/hours) to this project every day, from __________ (hour) to__________ (hour). Signed: Date:

 

Don’t over look this step. It seals your commitment to yourself to follow through on this project and solemnizes the importance of this task. It also formalizes exactly what part of your life you will carve out to make way for this accomplishment, and it commits you to getting into the habit of writing. Now inform your family, friends and associates that you will be unavailable at those times. It’s important that your writing time be uninterrupted. Other people will have to take it as seriously as you do, allowing you quality time for your work.