Organize your book writing.
Some people work extremely well with no orderly process or no process at all. Still, a lot of people need focus, and organization elevates focus.
One author we knew tried to avoid organization and got nothing accomplished for months on his sci-fi novel. He then went on to use working chapter titles and broke down each chapter into three sections. He further divided the three sections into many more paragraphs. The author picked up the pace through the magic of organizing. The power of scheduled and focused writing time helped him complete his manuscript.
All of us could improve the way we assemble or stories or ideas. Organization helps us measure our progress and remember what to do next.
Make an outline of your plan
Keep electronic or physical folders
Save your manuscript frequently
Have backup files for your stories
Schedule the time you have to write
Choose a theme or working title
Use headings or topics
Use subheadings or subtopics
Build paragraphs with purpose
Organization helps your focus, and focus is as important as anything else in book writing and becoming an author.
Sure, skill is important. So is creativity or analytical ability. None of that matters without a concentrated effort to keep yourself on track, avoid frustration, and simplify the writing process.
Think about what you need to assist you with organization. Write it down. Follow through. This works when you have the motivation. When you have the motivation, you work a bunch of these steps without realizing it, and sometimes you can skip or merge steps. Even for people flying by the seat of their pants, though, headings and subheadings can still help guide them along the route to completing their manuscript drafts.
You don’t have to apply all aspects of organization at all times. By all means, if you can easily write or type without outlines or lots of subheadings, then go for it.
Do what keeps you focused. If you get stuck with your writing, you can doublecheck how well organized you are in building your story or idea.
Skill and creativity can make up for some organizational flaws, but not all of them. Sometimes talent can exacerbate the flaws. Speed and strength of writing comes from focused effort that becomes second nature for many after years of practice.
Want to make your writing sessions as smooth as possible?
Organize and keep organizing to increase your focus. Use it as a way to grow momentum for your manuscript.
Home in on your path to becoming an author. Construct a plan, begin following through, and adapt the plan if necessary.
