How One eBook Author Writes eBooks

How does this eBook writing process actually work for an individual? It is truly a unique experience for all of us. I will share with you some personal thoughts about my process.

The start of the process is the idea. That's never been a problem for me. I consider myself an "idea" man; a person who can brainstorm both real and fanciful ideas that I hope others will recognize as important and 'run with them'. I don't have the time or energy to pursue all the ideas myself nor would I want to. Most people have marvellous ideas for eBooks. We've all said to ourselves, "Some day I would like to write a book about _____________."

Assuming you have the idea for an eBook, what happens next? Ignoring the formatting and research and gathering of resources and all those myriad of other things you must physically do to write the eBook, what is the process really like? I keep an expandable file folder for ideas. My optimism says it must be expandable! I also keep small notepads or scraps of paper handy at all times to record my wonderful ideas! One thing I've learned is to put enough detail into these notes so they make sense several days, weeks or months later. Too often I've re-read my jottings only to find out they don't make any sense at all and I wonder why I even bothered to make a note in the first place. Or I frustrate myself because that gem of an idea is gone!

Certain activities are more conducive than others for getting those little brain waves. I find driving the car or riding my bicycle on long rides produce most of my ideas. Waiting in doctor's offices is inspirational. Talking to others about the topic also elicits good ideas which I promptly write down and thank the person to whom I am speaking for providing me with a good idea. So does going to bed and reading a magazine. I think it's the nodding off that does it!

I also like to play around with titles for my eBook. It's great fun and gives your more creative side of the brain a chance to do something useful. Let you imagination loose on the job of a title. The more of these you write the more you are also painting that 'big picture' of envisioning your eBook in print. Think also about what graphics or pictures may appear on the cover. You will have many options when the time comes to choose a title. Enjoy the process.

Everyone has some specific time of the day when she/he is at her/his best to write. Ideas may come at any time but writing and organizing thoughts require a special time for most people. My most productive time is early morning especially if I wake up early (even 4:30 a.m.!) and my brain has ideas flowing! I get up and write. If I have little time I will jot down ideas in point form under a heading so I have enough details to flush it out later. Whatever your time, you will probably, like myself, need some quiet time. Quiet makes me more productive and since I only write when I am ready to do so, I don't want to waste any time. I let my ideas flow during these sessions. I handwrite my notes using short cuts for words. I also keep an outline of topics handy to jot down ideas under the appropriate topic so I don't forget them.

I use the computer and word processing software to produce the draft copies from my handwritten notes. I do this 'translation' of my notes to the keyboard ones during those times when I am not at my creative best like late afternoon or early evening. I still keep note pads handy for any 'flashes of brilliance' that may come my way.

Once I've got the draft copy done I print it off with double or triple spacing and in a print quality as low as I can get to preserve my cartridge. The spacing is for corrections and changes which I do in red. If someone else is also going to proof your material he/she can write their suggestions in a different colour on the same draft copy. I also do this same thing using a red font directly on the document on the computer. I sometimes make a duplicate of the document and use the duplicate for editing.

I also produce a "data sheet" for longer documents or projects that outlines what technical information I may require another time. The data sheet includes font types, sizes, colours for diagrams, special formatting used, tab settings, margin sizes, types of borders, location of graphics I used, ? This is particularly a good idea if you plan writing a sequel to the material and is also much easier than going back to the original document to get the information. I store this information with the finished document in the same folder for easier reference. Something to think about!

I usually read the draft document after I've printed it and carry it around with me for several days or weeks. Any opportunity I have to read it I can do so and make changes or add ideas. This is also a way to subconsciously be working on the document just by reminding myself it exists every time I look at it. The subconscious does good work! Make sure you jot down what the subconscious tells you, though, because this part of the brain isn't too good at memory! I have a theory that you should only try to remember those things that are absolutely essential. Everything else should be written down for reference. If something is important to remember that with continual or repeated use it will make its way to your permanent memory. I marvel at 'trivia' experts but can't figure out why they would keep so much stuff in their brain when so little of it is of much use. In any case, it is important that you leave the document alone for a while so you can move on to other things and return to it when the mood strikes or the deadline looms! Being ready to do the re-writing process is important. This necessitates something else in terms of planning. You can't leave things to the last minute. You must write early, let the ideas percolate in the brain, write, re-write and edit then publish well before it needs to be ready.

As soon as I know I must write something or have a deadline for completion of a project I immediately write out a "skeleton" of the finished product. You almost invariably have ideas come immediately to mind or have questions you need answered. Write something down. This may include a fanciful title and possible topics or chapter titles. This again facilitates the subconscious brain working on the project in the background of your busy day. I also jot down any ideas that may be worth exploring, any people who readily come to mind who could help me, and any past experiences I've had or material I'm aware of that would help with the finished project. These initial notes I find the most helpful of all. The real value comes when I finally get back to being serious about working on the project. I've got that 'kick-start'. I'm not starting with a blank slate but with something already written. A blank piece of paper or blank computer screen can be intimidating. It is so much easier to begin the writing with something already done.

I also tend to work in spurts. I have a long period of time when the writing stage is paramount in importance. I "feel" like writing. I don't want to work on the computer. Then I have a time when my brain just doesn't cooperate and the creative writing isn't coming. That's when I do the technical stuff or transcribe my scribbled jottings on to the computer monitor. I work hard for a few days, get bored or tired, leave it for a while then come back to it with enthusiasm. That's probably why I like to set an artificial targeted completion date well before the actual one. That gives me time to stop and start or start and stop whichever way you want to look at it!

Much of what I've said here isn't earth-shattering stuff. In fact, none of it is! But understanding how you operate best is important. Teaching others to understand how they operate is important too. There is no magic formula for doing work and accomplishing tasks. I work best in spurts. I do the thinking when I am ready to do it. I do the creative writing and jotting of ideas when I'm ready. I do the formal writing when my creative juices aren't flowing but I have some energy. I do the editing and re-writing when I've had plenty of time to leave the project for a while and return to it, sometimes several times, when my mind is fresh or when I've had input from others. It works for me.

What's your personal story about producing written work? I'd be interested in hearing it.

Know what works best for you and keep repeating it, refining it, massaging it? Perfection in your own mind! There is no better feeling than a job well done.

© 2005 Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson is a published eBook author who has worked with hundreds of eBook authors helping them reach their dream of writing a book. His experiences with writing eBooks, conducting Book Camps, hosting teleseminars, doing workshops and coaching wannabe and published authors means eBook Authoring Services at http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com is a good source of information for all eBook authors.

---

Your e-Book - 7 Best Reasons to Create Your First e-Book

1) Speed to market - One of the biggest problems... Read More

Internet Business Model For Selling A Single, Unique Product

An e-book is a single, unique product. It's unique because... Read More

Demand for E-books on the Increase

Demand for electronic books, or e-books, has created one of... Read More

Make Profits from FREE e-Books

E-books are one of the most beneficial and easiest ways... Read More

10 Ways To Make Money With eBooks

Ask any internet marketing "guru" and they will tell you... Read More

The REAL Info Products Secret and How to Get Out of the Cycle

Most "info-products" revolve around Internet marketing, and get rich quick... Read More

How to Build and Sell your eBook at the Same Time

Why write an eBook? You want ongoing, lifelong multiple streams... Read More

Should You Write A Book?

Why would you want to take on such a task?A... Read More

Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them (Part 1)

Did you know that you already have an eBook inside... Read More

Website Promotion: 10 Uncommon And Unusual Free Product Bonuses

Giving away free bonuses is one well tested website promotion... Read More

7 Secrets to Explode your eBook Sales! Part 5

Secret #5: How to build steady sales for years to... Read More

How to Almost Guarantee Your eBook Market Success

Conceptualizing a profitable idea and formulating a marketing plan to... Read More

(Emerging) Books

A novel re-definition through experimentation of the classical format of... Read More

Little Known Ways To Make More Money With EBooks

There are a myriad of free information products on the... Read More

My Rich Mums Ebook Secrets

As usual, I walked into the Starbucks for my morning... Read More

Self-Publish Your Ebooks Through ClickBank

There was a time when ebook publishing was seen as... Read More

An eBook Publishers Dilemma: Should I Use PDF or Exe Format?

If you write and publish eBooks, sooner or later youwill... Read More

Ebook Farming- A Definitive Guide to Your Ebook Creation (Ebook Review)

Why would you want to buy a book on writing... Read More

3 Steps To Turning OK eBook Sales Into Unbelieveable Results!

Have you noticed that 90% of "How To" information about... Read More

Write Your eBook Fast: First Steps to Finishing Line

Why write an eBook?You want ongoing, lifelong multiple streams of... Read More

Surefire Way To Find Hot Selling eBook Topics

To become an entrepreneur, you need product ideas.Even more important,YOU... Read More

Top Ten Tips To Get Started Writing Your Book - Part 1

You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More

Using Ebooks As A Highly Effective Marketing & Promotional Tool

Ebooks are part of the new frontier of cyberspace. They... Read More

10 Excuses for NOT Authoring an eBook!

Most people at one time or another have said to... Read More

Writing an eBook is Risk-taking Behaviour ? Choose to do it!

The choice to author a book isn't one that just... Read More

Lets Get One Thing Straight About Being A Published Author

Just for fun, evaluate the following statement:"Most people want to... Read More

Shorten Your Journey to Book Success with Teleclasses - Part 2

Are you an author who wants your book to be... Read More

Selling Books and E-Books Online

For many authors the thought of getting professionally published is... Read More

How to Use eBook for Marketing and Promotion

There are innumerable ways to use ebooks to promote your... Read More

7 Secrets to Explode your eBook Sales! Part 6

Secret #6: Creating momentum and identity through Book Sellers!Aho99% of... Read More

Your First Step to a Digital Publishing Empire

The hardest part of writing is the first sentence. When... Read More

5 Tips To Help you start self publishing for profit

Here's a really simple way... to start your own business... Read More

How Using A Drop Capital Increased My Ebook Sales By 40%

You will often find me with my head in a... Read More