Two weeks ago, I shared the first three steps of breaking down your book idea. In short, it’s this:
Step 1: Make a list of everything you wanna add (and might wanna add) to the book.
Step 2: Expound on that list.
Step 3: Add due-by dates to everything you have to do (getting the list down, expounding on the list, etc.)
Last week, I shared my list. Click here to read it over. My first deadline was to write out my first chapter by the end of today. When I say the first chapter, I don’t mean in reading order. It might not necessarily show up as Chapter One once the book is published, but it’s just the chapter that I felt compelled to write on first.
I usually recommend starting off with a list of everything you want to add to the chapter. Just as you did with the book in Step 1, you do the same thing within the chapters themselves. This ain’t do-it-or-die, however. I sometimes even skip this step.
Here was my process for creating my first chapter:
- Making a messy list of what I wanted to include.
- Writing down the point of the chapter (the moral of the story).
- Writing the chapter/essay.
- Making a list of what makes for a good essay (if you’re writing fiction, then you’d write a list of what makes for a good fiction chapter).
- Rereading my chapter/essay and checking off what I successfully did and fixing what I didn’t.
Remember, that this is just the first draft. Once you’ve finished the book and reread the whole thing, you might go back, catch some errors, change some things, or scrap the whole thing. So don’t worry about completely perfecting it. I say that because, I can’t just scribble down any old thing. It has to be of quality when coming from my fingertips (unless I’m journaling). I do give myself a break and say that it ain’t gotta be completely perfect; if you’re a perfectionist, then that might makes sense.
Here’s the chapter/essay that I wrote. I won’t include the whole thing, because it’s kind of long, but I’ll include the link to read the whole thing at the bottom of it.
“Diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder”
A friend recently posted on Facebook that she couldn’t stop crying, but didn’t know why because for once everything in her life seemed to be going well. She had graduated from college, her business was blossoming, she had purchased her first home, and she could now independently take care of her children without relying on the support of anyone else, especially the government.
It immediately reminded me of the time I had to pull over because, out of nowhere, I teared up and couldn’t stop crying. I remember verbally asking myself why because everything was good. I had been self-employed for a year and my business had finally gotten to the point where I could pay all of my bills and still have money left over to save and splurge a little. My marriage was great, my children were good, I wasn’t at odds with anyone, and my health was in great shape. I just couldn’t figure it out.
And while I managed to get home that day, the crying episodes weren’t over. I cried all that night, the next day, and the day after that. Having to constantly explain to my children that I didn’t feel like playing or talking, and seeing how much my husband wanted to help but couldn’t only intensified my emotions. By the end of the week, I felt like I was wading deeper in the ocean, knowing damn well I couldn’t swim. Every negative experience I’d ever went through resurfaced in my thoughts and dreams. I outsourced all of my work, even if that meant no personal gain, allowing me to stop answering the phone and leaving the house.
All the while, however, I was fully aware of what was going on with me. It was as if I was simultaneously the observer and the sufferer. I knew that my situation was getting worse and that it was mentally and physically unhealthy to stay in bed all day. I also knew that it was only a matter of time before my ability to force myself to shower and eat would wear off. So on top of grieving whatever I was sad about, I was also anxious and urgent to get to the bottom of it.
One morning before work, my husband suggested that I see a counselor. His tone was cautious, as if he were afraid of offending me but more afraid of succumbing to that fear and letting me drown. I opened my mouth to tell him that it wasn’t that serious, my situation was temporary, and that it was nothing the therapist could tell me that I didn’t already know. Before a word of my defense could slip past my lips, Spirit told me to say okay.
Here’s the list that I made before I started writing (#2 from above). Although I just wrote the essay today, I made the list last night. Also, at the top of it, you’ll see where I scribbled the point of the chapter/the moral of the story (which is the importance of processing experiencing and emotions, releasing them when necessary, and speaking on them and sharing them when spiritually summoned to do so).
And here’s the list I made after I wrote the essay (#4 from above). Some of it is my own opinion and some of it I got from books/blog posts that I’ve read over the years. In case you can’t see it, it says: sound like me/my unique perspective; moving plot; refreshing take on the subject; explored with empathy, intelligence, humor, and humility; includes the so what for the reader; and has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Again, what goes on your list depends on what kinda book you’re writing.
My next task and deadline is to wrap up another TWO essays off of my original Step One list and do that by next Sunday. If you’re writing your book with me, then don’t feel obligated to do two. You can stick with one or go even harder and do more than two. It’s up to you.
P.S.: I still upheld my perfectionist tendencies. My due date was today and guess when I started working on this? Today.
P.S.S.: If you need individual assistance with any of these steps, check out my services. A Fundamental Strategy Session, for example, would help you break down your book idea into steps (last week’s task), or go through the five steps of creating your first chapter, like I did this week, for $90.
P.S.S.S.: Is there a such thing as P.S.S.S.? Anyway, if you aren’t already subscribed to my newsletter, do so by clicking here. That way, next time I’ll show up in your inbox instead of you having to come here.