If you ask a writer for 6 things you should do to prepare to write a book, you’ll normally get suggestions like organize your book, identify your reader, plan your book, design your book and so on. Even I’ve written articles that answer the question like that.

But that’s wrong! Those are all early stages in the writing process. When you do those things you have already started writing a book.

However, there are a number of things you should do to prepare to write a book. With a light heart and tongue planted firmly in cheek, here are six of them:

1. Warn the spouse and kids you are about to start writing. Having the kids walk in on you while you’re wandering about the office talking to yourself is bad. Cackling away and then swearing is just plain guaranteed to make them pay big bucks to lie on doctors’ couches when they grow up. And spouses have been known to walk in on you just as you swing the battle axe at that pesky dark elf that’s been sticking knives in you all day. Or they just might give you the more common excuse of “Come play baseball with me”. So warn them and save yourself the trouble of explaining to the nice men in the white coats that your hero just couldn’t get his act together so you were trying to talk him through it.

2. Close the door to the office. After all, soundproofing works better when the door is closed. That way your family won’t hear your screams of pain when your participles are dangled and your meanings mangled. It’s also a good way of indicating you aren’t to be disturbed — pun intended, timing optional!

3. Take the phone off the hook or at least turn down the ringer. That way the collection agents can’t call you. On second thought don’t take the phone off the hook. Even an interruption from a collection agent is better than your teenage daughter missing a phone call from her newest beau.

4. Put on the headphones and crank up the Mozart. If baroque is good for babies then it should help you. Or stick on the Alice Cooper and admit it’s much too late for music to help your mental facilities. Or better still forget the headphones and stick on the Beethoven. The music will help prevent the neighbors from asking about the strange noises coming from your office.

5. Check the sign. You know the one that’s over your computer. Yeah, that’s the one. The one that reminds you why you keep doing this despite your better judgment!

6. Now read what you read yesterday. If you still think you’ll be able to write a book afterward then you’re on your way. Maybe to insanity and maybe to a book. In any case you’re out of things you should do to prepare to write a book. So get to work!

Do you want to learn how to write a book in 24 hours? Take my brand new free course here: http://www.learningcreators.com

Do you want to read more free information like this? Go to my blog: http://www.learningcreators.com/blog/

Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has far too many years experience as a trainer and facilitator to willingly admit.

Author: Glen Ford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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