How to Get Started
If you’re looking to write a 50,000 word book in 5 weeks, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to set aside some time each day to write. It’s important to be consistent and make sure you’re writing at least 1,000 words a day. Second, you’ll need to have a clear idea of what you want to write about. Once you have a plan, it’ll be easier to stay on track and hit your word count goal. Third, you’ll need to be willing to sacrifice some sleep and social time in order to get your book written. And fourth, you’ll need to be prepared for some days when you just don’t feel like writing. On those days, it’s important to push through and keep going. If you can do all of these things, you’ll be well on your way to writing a great book in just 5 weeks.
Let’s go through the process, one step at a time.
1) Choose a topic for your nonfiction book
Choosing a topic for your nonfiction book can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect topic for your book.
- Consider your interests. What are you passionate about? What do you find yourself talking about all the time? These are good places to start when thinking about a topic for your book.
- Consider your audience. Who do you want to read your book? What sort of information are they looking for? Keep your audience in mind when choosing a topic.
- Do your research. Once you’ve narrowed down your topic, it’s time to do some research. Read books, articles, and blog posts on your topic. See what others have already said about it. This will help you choose a angle for your book.
- Get creative. There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a topic for your book. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
- Ask for help. If you’re still having trouble choosing a topic, ask a friend or family member for their opinion. Sometimes, it helps to have a second set of eyes.
No matter what you choose, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. Writing a book takes a lot of time and effort, so you want to make sure you’re choosing a topic you’ll enjoy writing about.
2) Write an Outline for Your Nonfiction Book
If you’re planning to write a nonfiction book, one of the first things you need to do is create an outline. This will give you a roadmap to follow as you write, and help you keep track of all the information you need to include.
To create an outline for your book, start by brainstorming all the main points you want to cover. Once you have a list of topics, organize them into a logical order. Then, flesh out each point with supporting information.
If you’re not sure where to start, try looking at other nonfiction books for inspiration. See how they’re structured and what kinds of information they include. This can help you get a better idea of how to approach your own book.
Once you have a rough outline, you can start writing your book. Remember to keep referring back to your outline as you go. This will help you stay on track and make sure you’re including all the important information.
3) Set a Daily Word Count Goal
If you want to complete a nonfiction book in five weeks, one of the best pieces of advice is to set a daily word count goal. This will help you stay on track and make consistent progress.
There are a few different ways to go about setting a word count goal. One approach is to pick a number that feels comfortable and try to hit that goal every day. For example, you might decide to write 1,000 words per day.
Another approach is to set a goal based on the number of hours you want to spend writing each day. For example, you might decide to write for two hours each day. This works well if you have a flexible schedule.
Once you have a goal in mind, try to stick to it as best you can. Of course, there will be days where you don’t hit your goal. And that’s OK. Just try to get back on track as soon as you can.
If you can stick to a daily word count goal, you’ll be well on your way to completing a nonfiction book.
4) The Secret to Writing a Book in Five Weeks is to Write Every Day
The best way to write a book in five weeks is to write every day. Make a commitment to yourself to write for a certain amount of time each day, and stick to it. It doesn’t matter if you write for an hour or for five minutes, as long as you write.
The key to writing every day is to find a time that works for you. Some people like to write in the morning, others at night. Find a time that you can consistently write, and make it a part of your daily routine.
Another important part of writing every day is to have a plan. Know what you want to write before you sit down to write. This will help you stay focused and on track. One old trick many writers use is before ending your writing session each day, leave the last sentence incomplete…in the middle of your thought. Then when you sit down to write the next day, you can start with finishing that sentence instead of staring at a blank screen.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling to write, reach out to a friend or family member who is a good writer. They can help you get started or give you feedback on your work.
5) Set a New Deadline If You’re Writing Less Words a Day
If you’re writing less words every day, set a new deadline.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re not meeting your daily word count goals. But instead of beating yourself up, set a new deadline. Maybe you’ll write 1,000 words a day for the next week, or maybe you’ll only write 500 words a day for the rest of the month.
The important thing is that you keep writing, even if it’s only a little bit. Remember, every word counts!
6) The Editing Process Follows the Writing Process
The writing process typically involves four distinct stages: prewriting, creating the vomit draft, revising, and editing. It’s important for writers to understand that editing and proofreading are two separate steps in the revising stage. Editing is the process of making changes to your draft to improve the content, while proofreading is the process of catching errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to start with the bigger picture when editing, and then move on to the details. For instance, you might start by looking at the overall structure of your book, and then move on to smaller issues like sentence structure and word choice. Here are some specific tips for each stage of the editing process:
Prewriting
This is the stage where you brainstorm ideas, do research, and plan the overall structure of your book. At this point, you shouldn’t worry about grammar or spelling. Just get your ideas down on paper.
Creating What We Call the Vomit Draft
Once you have a general idea of what you want to say, you can start drafting your book. Again, don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Just focus on getting your thoughts down in a coherent order. We call it a vomit draft because you are NOT editing at this stage. You are getting your thoughts, emotions, and story out of your head and onto the page.
Revising
This is where you start making changes to improve the content of your book. At this stage, it’s helpful to read your book out loud, chapter by chapter, to yourself, or have someone else read it to you. Another method is to record yourself reading the chapter and then on another session, listen to the recording…stopping it and making notes where you get an idea of adding or changing something. But importantly, don’t stop the playback. And don’t judge the content. This will help you catch errors that you might not have noticed otherwise.
Editing
Once you’re satisfied with the content of your book, you can move on to the editing stage. This is where you’ll fix any grammar or spelling errors, and make sure that chapters flows smoothly from one idea to the next. An extra step I recommend is to hire a professional editor, like me to edit your book.
Proofreading
The final step in the editing process is proofreading. This is where you’ll check for any remaining errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Once you’re satisfied that your book is free of errors and the best it can be for TODAY…then send it to your proofreader for one final look before you go to layout and publishing.
When you’re ready to start editing, be prepared to do a lot of it. Don’t be afraid to cut out entire sections that don’t serve the story. It’s your book and you can do whatever you want with it!
7) Find a Publisher
When you have written a book, you will need to choose a publisher. This is a big decision, as it will determine how your book is printed, marketed, and distributed. If you choose the wrong publisher, your book may not be successful.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a publisher for your book. First, you need to make sure that the publisher is reputable. There are many fly-by-night publishers who will take your money and then do a poor job of printing and distributing your book. Make sure to do your research on any publisher you are considering.
Second, you need to make sure that the publisher is a good fit for your book. Each publisher has different strengths and weaknesses. Some publishers are better at marketing than others. Some are better at distributing to certain channels. Make sure to choose a publisher whose strengths match up well with your book.
Third, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with the terms of the publishing contract. Read the contract carefully and make sure you understand all of the terms. Don’t sign anything until you are sure you are comfortable with it.
Choosing a publisher for your book is a big decision. Make sure to do your research and choose a publisher who is a good fit for your book.
8) Marketing Your Book
As an author, you have a few options when it comes to marketing your book. You can choose to do it yourself, or hire a professional marketing team. There are also a few different avenues you can take, such as online marketing, print marketing, or even word-of-mouth marketing.
If you decide to do it yourself, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, create a website or blog to promote your book. Be sure to include a way for people to buy your book on your site. You can also create social media accounts and use them to share information about your book. You can also reach out to book bloggers and reviewers and see if they’re interested in reading and reviewing your book.
If you decide to hire a professional marketing team, they will likely take care of most of the work for you. However, there are still a few things you can do to help them out. First, make sure your book is available in as many places as possible, such as online retailers and bookstores. You can also help promote your book by sharing information about it on social media and by participating in book events.
No matter which route you decide to take, marketing your book takes time and effort. But with a little planning and perseverance, you can get your book into the hands of eager readers.
9) What Do You Do After You’ve Submitted Your Book for Publication?
You may feel a sense of relief and accomplishment after finishing your book, and rightfully so! But don’t put your pen down just yet – there’s still some work to be done. Here are a few things to keep in mind after you’ve completed your manuscript.
First and foremost, take a break! You’ve been working hard and you deserve it. Put your manuscript away for at least a week before you start editing. This will help you come back to it with a fresh perspective.
Then, get creative and think how you can market your book to the world.
10) Celebrate Your Success!
After writing a 50,000 word nonfiction book in 5 weeks or however long it takes you, it’s time to celebrate! Here are some ways to do just that:
- Make a toast to your accomplishment with your favorite beverage.
- Share the news with your friends and family and ask them to help you celebrate.
- Take a break from writing and do something you enjoy.
- Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.
- Set a goal for your next writing project and start planning for it.