Get Clarity – The First Three Steps To Writing A Nonfiction Book
Written by: Dale Darley, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It's four am (again), and your head is buzzing with ideas. Around and around they go. By the time the alarm goes off at six, you have written your book, designed a course and program and are now traveling the world speaking on your favorite stages.
How did I know, and just how did I get into your head?
Let me tell you, this was me. While I love a bit of lying around with the furry ones fantasizing about saying, 'thank you, Wembly, I love you,' the only way I know to make at least some of this real is to take action.
Of course, you have heard this all before, but and this is where excuses and procrastination come in. These fairweather bedfellows are not much use apart from keeping you safe from fame and fortune. Ok, I was joking about fame and fortune… Or was I?
Fortune favors the prepared mind, a variant of Pasteurs quote and, Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat – fortune favors the bold, reminds us to be prepared and go for it...
Where to start on our epic journey, then?
Let's start simply with a journal
When you catch yourself at any time of day with your musings, scribble them down. Especially scribble them in the early hours. You'll be amazed when you wake up hours later to see the genius ideas. Now all you need to do is reflect without judgment and make sense of them.
Sometimes books never get published. People will write them to get 'stuff' out of their system. I have worked with many people in this way, and it works as a healing process. If this is you, then journaling is a great first step towards healing and clarity. Being published is not always the end game.
Writing for fun is a delicious goal as it takes you out of everyday life and lets you explore other aspects of yourself and the world. But if being published is for you, keep journaling and never dismiss anything.
Who do you want to inspire?
Look around you; what kind of people are making an impact, and how? I love Denise Duffield-Thomas and her funny stories of entrepreneurship. Yet when you look at her now, she is impacting many lives with her Money Bootcamp. She found her sweet spot and the kinds of people whose lives she could impact the most. But it wasn't easy. She stuck at it, and now she knows.
Although we are surrounded by our famous entrepreneurs who have seemed to nail it. It is important to note that many people who have made a real difference are not privileged. Many come from disadvantaged backgrounds, have endured many things and have overcome all kinds of illnesses. They have found their reason to be in their stories and are now using these things to impact and inspire others. This means that you can too.
Without going into lengthy ideal client scenarios, who would you most like to help with your story and knowledge?
What do you want to be known for?
Let's say it takes you a year from now to get your idea sorted, the book planned, outlined, written, edited and published. Who will you be, and what do you want to be known for?
You have to decide which story and which of your many expert subject areas you want to write about. The right book for right now needs to be birthed.
Which book about what will give you what you want? Which book is in the vision that you created for yourself?
You may have lots of ideas. Brainstorm each and reflect on how each feels. Perhaps, start a shorter but a deeper book? After exploring, feeling, envisioning and reflecting, you will be able to choose THE book.
Make a commitment to yourself
I committed to finishing editing several memoirs (personal stories) and publishing them, starting with a collection of short life stories I wrote a long time ago. It's not been easy. What made it easier was to look at how I supported my clients with their stories and decided to treat myself with the same loving-kindness and a firm boot.
For me, it's all about the story, and I believe that knowing which story will lead to your reason for being, of which you can have many. Your life will change, and how you want to inspire and impact others will change. My reason for being is to heal through writing and to support others to do the same. That doesn't just mean writing books about writing books or creating courses for the same. It means showing up and being vulnerable in my storytelling – which I confess is not and has not been easy for me.
Let's make that commitment right now to show up, be brave, vulnerable, and most importantly, inspire others to know what is possible in the world for them.
Ready to write your nonfiction book? Perhaps 121 mentoring will suit you, or maybe an online writing retreat with friends tickles your fancy? Get in touch, and let's explore your next adventure.
For more information, please visit my website!
Dale Darley, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dale works with her clients to help them to discover the magic in their story through the power of writing, journaling, and energy work. Dale is an expert at getting your story out, finding the essence of who you are, what you want to become, and supporting you to get what you want through coaching and programs. She believes that writing heals, and her vision and mission is to create a community of people who find clarity, purpose, and meaning through their writing. That these people go on to inspire others to know what is possible in the world. Dale holds an MBA from The University of Glamorgan and an ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching certificate. She served in senior marketing management roles in the IT and manufacturing sectors before working for herself.
