How to use this Page

Most everyone wants to write a book - some day.

But that's the catch.

Instead of writing it NOW, they plan to write their book some day. Some time in the distant future - because as long as the plan is for the future, it's a nice, safe PLAN.

The trouble is, it isn't EVER more than a plan until you start writing.

So, why haven't you written your book if you've been planning to write one for years now?

Well, here are a few possible reasons. See which ones sound familiar to you.

1. You have no idea HOW to get started. You wonder if you even KNOW enough about your subject to write a complete book.

2. You've collected all sorts of information for your book - notes you've written, quotes from experts, etc. - but now you don't know what to do with it all.

3. You THINK you don't have time to write the book right now since you can't devote large chunks of time to working on it.

4. You're not sure how to structure your book. Should it have sections or chapters? How many chapters should it be? How many pages? Should it include sidebars of information? Charts? Graphs?

5. You don't think you can explain things clearly enough to readers. How do you make your message simple and easy to understand?

6. You can't seem to get motivated to write and then STAY motivated to continue writing. This is particularly true if you've started your book but just can't seem to move forward with it.

7. You have trouble with grammar, punctuation, and maybe even spelling, and you get frustrated when you make so many mistakes.

8. You're not completely sure what a book would do for you - especially if you have to shell out your own money to get it edited, formatted, and published. Why spend money on all that? Will it be worth it?

9. You can't figure out whether you need to write a book proposal and try to find a traditional publisher for your book or write the book and then self-publish it.

10. It all seems so overwhelming when you realize you will also have to market the book once it's written and published. Book signings sound like fun. But you really don't want to have to CALL bookstores yourself to set up these kinds of things.

Any - or ALL - of this sound familiar?

Don't worry. Each of these reasons for NOT writing a book is little more than an excuse for not getting the help you need to move forward with your book. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome each of these excuses.

First, look at local bookstores, or online at amazon.com, for books that outline the book writing process. A great how-to book just might be enough to help you overcome your excuses for not writing your own book.

If you need more help overcoming all the excuses for NOT writing your book, sign up for a book writing course or hire a writing coach to help you.

Finally, if you just CAN'T seem to get your book written yourself, hire a ghostwriter to write the book for you.

The point is, you just need to get your book written, no matter what it takes to overcome all the excuses that are keeping you from getting your book out there on the market.

Have you been wondering what your writing needs?

Are you talking to yourself... out loud?

Do you wonder what it would be like to talk to someone else about your writing?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you're ready to join or create a writers' critique group.

Critique members are supportive, critical, and attuned to the work and not the personality of an individual member. Also, they intend to publish their work. You can find critique groups online through organizations or you can form a person-to-person group where you live. If there is no writing group in your local area, check with bookstores and libraries. Create flyers; post them in coffee shops and bookstores. Network with local organizations.

10 Steps for Organizing a Critique Group:

1. Find a group with similar goals and focus. Is your group open to all genres or is it specific? Memoir? Do people want to publish? Explore character? Having similar goals and a focus will create commitment and synergy.

2. Limit the number of members. Four or five is a good starting place. If one person leaves the group, replace him/her with a new writer. Fill empty spots by invitation and agreement by the group. This builds trust and respect in your group.

3. Establish a time and day that is suitable to everyone. For example, one evening every two weeks or a weekend day. Twice a month is usually better than weekly because it gives the writers a chance to write and edit in between meetings.

4. Establish a meeting place that works for everyone. Find a coffee shop or meeting space that can accommodate the size of your group or take turns meeting at members' homes.

5. Create a deadline for submitting work to each other by email. This way, every member should have time to read the work before the critique session.

6. Critique the writing, not the writer. Find what works and what is good. Be objective, as if the writer is absent.

Example critique: "There is a POV shift in this section...I want to know more...perhaps another word would work better here..."

Get the picture? Give the writer time to explain unanswered questions.

7. When receiving critiques...sit back and take notes. Be quiet. Let the questions and comments fly. Don't throw heavy objects. Also, don't spend time defending your work or explaining why you wrote things the way you did. Your writing needs to work on its own, without explanations.

8. Critiques must have a time limit. Calculate the critique time based on the length of the meeting and numbers in the group. If you have a large group you can divide up critiques every two weeks.

9. Don't socialize too much. Your purpose is to get feedback about your work. Be reasonable. You can get to know each other in many other ways.

10. Most importantly, respect confidentiality. Make an agreement with the whole group. Don't steal ideas, and don't talk about the work outside the group except in general terms if necessary.

Follow these steps and soon you'll be enjoying the support and constructive feedback that a strong writers' critique group can provide.