So you're convinced writing an ebook is a good idea. You've also chosen a sellable topic. Maybe you're the type who will just start writing, but there are a few things I did and a few things I wish I had done beforehand. The nice thing is, these tips could apply to any sort of project, ebook or otherwise.
Get a paper notebook.
This is the first thing I wish I had done from the beginning. It's not a huge thing, but it would have saved me some minor headaches.
Before you start writing, get yourself a paper notebook (or something else that allows you to take notes on the go). Name it, color it, put stickers all over it (or not), but designate it as your the place where anything ebook-related will go.
When you're in the process of writing your ebook, chances are you'll spend a fair amount of your time thinking about it. And many times, your ideas won't come when you're actually sitting at your computer writing.
If you're like me, ideas come in the car, in the shower, while I'm surfing the web, when I can't sleep at 2 am or when I'm standing in line at the post office. For that reason, keep your notebook with you all the times — and use it (so I guess you'll need a writing instrument as well).
This way, when you sit down to write, you'll know exactly where to find all your brilliant ideas. If you don't have one notebook for such a purpose, you'll either have miscellaneous and extraneous pieces of paper here and there and everywhere (ahem), or you'll just plain forget all the great stuff that was about to make you millions. Poof. Gone. That would sad.
Keep track of your time.
I did not keep track of how much time I actually spent working on my ebook. Now I wish I had. Why? Because I like to know which of my income streams are generating the most money based on an hourly rate.
So, now that I'm getting a feel for sales and how they go, I'm wishing I had kept track of my time so I could determine whether or not it has paid off…and if it's worth it to write another one.
Admittedly, this isn't an imperative step, but if you just jot down the approximate number of hours you spending writing in a day or week, I think it's good information to have. You could dedicate a page in your notebook to it (see above) or use an online timer to keep track for you (I use SlimTimer for tracking my time online but here are some other time-tracking possiblities).
Create a mind map.
This is a great brainstorming technique. If you're unfamiliar with a mind map, it's a way to keep track of your ideas. Write your topic in the middle of your page and write down related ideas radiating from the middle. Here's a simple example:
Photo by MyThoughtsMindMaps
There are are plenty of mind-mapping tools available (both free and otherwise). Personally, pencil and paper work fine for me. I recommend using whatever will work without getting you distracted by the cool tool.
At this stage, don't edit your thoughts, just get them all down — subtopics of your main topic and related ideas. Think of all the possible directions you could take this topic. Many of them you may discard in the end (or, use for a future ebook!), but in any case it's really nice to have a visual of the possibilities.
Make an outline.
Once you've got your mind map, create an outline.
My 10th grade English teach was right: outlines are your friend. I always balked at this step in the writing process because, frankly, I dislike writing so much that an outline represented only more work. Any writing assignment I do I just want to get done. Like yesterday.
But, I actually wrote an outline for this project and lo and behold, Miss Wideman was right when she said an outline will help you put your thoughts in order, give you some direction and incidentally, save you time and energy. Who knew? I certainly didn't. But now I do.
A few words about an outline. Don't get hung up on it. Using your mind map as reference, decide on the main points you want to cover and jot them down. These will most likely become chapters or sections. Once they're on paper, it's easier to rearrange them and put them in an order that seems to work best for the flow of your ebook.
For me, my outline created a sense of direction. Think of it like taking a trip. If you're going to take a road trip leaving from Chicago, you'll want to determine where you'll end up, where you'll stop along the way and the most efficient way of accomplishing both.
Eliminate distractions.
This is closely related to scheduling regular writing time, but when it's time to write, do nothing else. Close Facebook, Twitter, Skype, email, and anything that assaults you with notifications of something new (or old — it's amazing how my writing time would come around and suddenly I would have an overwhelming urge to answer that email that had been sitting there for 2 weeks).
Just turn everything off knowing you'll be able to get to those things as soon as our writing window is over.
If noise bothers you, make sure your writing window happens when there's little of it. Otherwise, put in ear plugs or ear buds. If you need to clean up around your writing spot first, do that too. I am amazed at how significantly more productive I am when my desk is clear of anything (and even a picked up living space).
The goal is to remove anything that's going to make your brain think about anything other than your writing.
Save. Save. Save.
Before you begin, I highly recommend you create a folder in which to save all ebook-related material on your computer. You'll be saving every 2 minutes. Well, OK, maybe not that much, but I recommend saving a lot. There's nothin' like spending forever writing something only to lose it because it wasn't saved. So, create a folder or something — a central location where everything can be found easily and is organized.
Read the next post in the series: How to Write an Ebook: Writing Tips from a Non-Writer
Other posts in this series
- How to Write an Ebook
- How to Write an Ebook: Why It's a Good Idea
- How to Write an Ebook: Choose a Sellable Topic
- How to Write an Ebook: Preparing to Write
- How to Write an Ebook: Writing Tips from a Non-Writer
- How to Write an Ebook: Editing and Naming
- How to Write an Ebook: Formatting
- How to Write an Ebook: Setting Up Accounts
- How to Write an Ebook: Pricing
- How to Write an Ebook: Distribution
- How to Write an Ebook: Creating a Sales Page (or Site)
- How to Write an Ebook: Preparing for Affiliates
- How to Write an Ebook: Taking care of your affiliates
- How to Write an Ebook: Paying your affiliates
- How to Make Your Ebook Available on Kindle & Nook
Loved this list, especially the idea of keeping a notebook. I'm going to do that, for sure!
And just a funny – as I was reading this post, I thought you were telling us to create a mind "nap" and thought to myself, "what a wonderful idea! a mind nap!" lol Can you tell that I'm still sleepy this morning?
LOL! Hey, maybe you could develop that and write an ebook.
I'd totally buy it!
That actually is a great idea. I got writer's block on a master's thesis a few years back and used notebook to jot down my thoughts when I had a moment during classes. I am a teacher, and I found I had these moments quite often. Before you know it, I had a whole draft of my master's thesis in my notebook.
I also use mind mapping frequently, and require my English students to do so as well. Students love them, especially as opposed to writing formal outline. As a writer, I love them because they're so flexible and easy to visualize. Your advice here is great, and I think I'll return to some of my old notebooks that I have not yet used, looking for ideas at least.
I am enjoying working my way through this series Amy, and I appreciate your hard work in putting down your thoughts.
I am loving this series, Amy! Thank you, so much, for sharing. I learned how to start my own self-hosted WordPress blog, from your previous blog (With Purpose), and I am learning so much, from this site, as well. Thanks, again!
You're very welcome, Bree. Thanks for hanging out with me all these years.
I'm just starting my blog (or, uh, restarting my blog) and much of the content of my ebook seems like it overlaps or duplicates what I plan to feature on the blog. Would you recommend keeping the ebook info and ideas off the blog entirely? Put it on the blog until the ebook is finished and available? Not worry about it? This is sort-of freezing me in my process…
Good question. I think the answer is that it depends largely on whether you're going to sell the ebook or give it away for free. If it were me and I wanted to sell the ebook, I'd probably try to keep much of the info off the blog. Then again, some people do sell an ebook with similar information that they have already written about; they sell it in a more organized and refined way. Perhaps a good idea would be to start the blog initially with a different thrust and then as you build it and get a feel for what direction things will go, the answer will become more clear. I hope that helps at least a little bit!
I, for one, am jumping in
Head first! I am so excited about it. Mine is practically written already, just needs formatting and a bit more information. BUT I had to just tell you that when you made the Miss Wideman comment, I had to smile. I thought the same thing about outlining. Now I find my self saying the same things as her when I am teaching my kids. I loved it when I saw my oldest making an outline for a book she is writing. I didn't even have to make her write one 
Proud mommy moment. I guess it's Miss Wideman that should be proud though, she certainly made a difference for the both of us. Great posts by the way…eating it up 
Hi Amy,
I just came across this blogg when I was doing a Google search for ideas on how to write faster!!
You have some good tips in this blogg and I will come back and read more when things are not so hectic.
I am gearing up to hopefully write my first ebook and as you say, am searching everywhere. My website is there but nothing on it yet – first things first!
Talk to you again but keep up the good work and thanks again.
Cheers
John
Just finished my outline. ICK! I do like to write… so i'm just ready to get to that part. I'm glad I did the outline though, I really feel like I'm all set up to get started writing. Thank you.
Hi,
is it ok to write an ebook with a different pen name
and what is ghostwriting.Can you suggest some recognized and reputed ghostwriters on the net.Is it ok to get an ebook written by agencies.
Thank you for suggesting the idea of creating a mind map and providing a link to some sources, in less than 15 minutes I have an amazing map I can build upon…I am even thinking of how I can use this with my team at work.
Maybe I'll end up not writing an ebook, but learnt something new and powerful.
Glad it was helpful!