This is a bit of delayed progress thread which I had intended to start a few weeks ago but was delayed what with writing my second book. Ok, let's get started...
Motivation:
I think everyone on the forum is in agreement that we're all looking, and working toward, the 'better life' - you know, the one where we pick and chose how we live our lives on a day to day basis; how we forge a new future and what we can teach our friends and families about shaping life on our terms.
For me, this means moving away from working for a company where managers more senior to me effectively dictate the definition of success (yeah, I know that's subjective but those are my feelings).
My life has many strands: skipped university because it was "just another four years at school", joined the army, traveled the world, had children, did some crappy jobs and now in a relatively senior management position but not particularly impressed with what my company defines as a successful career. To be fair, I've blazed a trail since I left the forces about ten years ago and you could describe my relative success as a good example of how to get on in life but the job I did as a soldier focused on the 'unrelenting pursuit of excellence' - so here I am!
As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be an author - not just any author, a hugely successful author. In my youth, I did dabble with writing books but the barrier to entry made gaining any traction nigh on impossible without having the right contacts. The web has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for us all.
Fast Forward:
I've written one book and published via KDP. In the first week, it sold 398 copies but sadly there were reviews (not a massive concern but would be good to get a general feel for how it was received). I don't check my stats very often as I place more emphasis on the 'doing' and feedback. The first book is a 148 page novella that took me several months to write due to the inefficient way in which I was working (500 - 1,000 words per day written on an ad-hoc basis).
I now schedule my time and write between 2,000 and 3,000 words per day. This has been achieved by fixing 3 - 4 thirty three minute blocks of writing time into my day and sticking to the outline that I have written for book two. This is an approach I will be sticking to in future. Does it always work? No, but on some days you simply have to run with it.
Book two has been in progress for a month now and the last two chapter should be completed by Tuesday. Then it's time to go into editing mode before sending the book to my friend for proof reading.
The Future Is Not Fixed
So, what happens when book two is complete? Then it's time to try a another genre as I want to test a couple and see which one suits my style.
Having read Held for Ransom's self-publishing thread, I agree that producing volume in markets with a deep pool of buyers is key to hitting the highs. Unlike HfR, I love writing - for me, and I'm sure others here will agree - words are beautiful. They're also incredibly powerful (which HfR already knows given the sums he's currently earning as an author
). By constantly reading what other, successful authors are doing you can find out what works and how you can mold your writing style to meet the needs of the market. Simple mathematics, really.
What Now?
Constantly learn from the greats and improve, deliver, repeat.
I'll update on my progress in about a week (must fix that into my schedule )
Motivation:
I think everyone on the forum is in agreement that we're all looking, and working toward, the 'better life' - you know, the one where we pick and chose how we live our lives on a day to day basis; how we forge a new future and what we can teach our friends and families about shaping life on our terms.
For me, this means moving away from working for a company where managers more senior to me effectively dictate the definition of success (yeah, I know that's subjective but those are my feelings).
My life has many strands: skipped university because it was "just another four years at school", joined the army, traveled the world, had children, did some crappy jobs and now in a relatively senior management position but not particularly impressed with what my company defines as a successful career. To be fair, I've blazed a trail since I left the forces about ten years ago and you could describe my relative success as a good example of how to get on in life but the job I did as a soldier focused on the 'unrelenting pursuit of excellence' - so here I am!
As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be an author - not just any author, a hugely successful author. In my youth, I did dabble with writing books but the barrier to entry made gaining any traction nigh on impossible without having the right contacts. The web has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for us all.
Fast Forward:
I've written one book and published via KDP. In the first week, it sold 398 copies but sadly there were reviews (not a massive concern but would be good to get a general feel for how it was received). I don't check my stats very often as I place more emphasis on the 'doing' and feedback. The first book is a 148 page novella that took me several months to write due to the inefficient way in which I was working (500 - 1,000 words per day written on an ad-hoc basis).
I now schedule my time and write between 2,000 and 3,000 words per day. This has been achieved by fixing 3 - 4 thirty three minute blocks of writing time into my day and sticking to the outline that I have written for book two. This is an approach I will be sticking to in future. Does it always work? No, but on some days you simply have to run with it.
Book two has been in progress for a month now and the last two chapter should be completed by Tuesday. Then it's time to go into editing mode before sending the book to my friend for proof reading.
The Future Is Not Fixed
So, what happens when book two is complete? Then it's time to try a another genre as I want to test a couple and see which one suits my style.
Having read Held for Ransom's self-publishing thread, I agree that producing volume in markets with a deep pool of buyers is key to hitting the highs. Unlike HfR, I love writing - for me, and I'm sure others here will agree - words are beautiful. They're also incredibly powerful (which HfR already knows given the sums he's currently earning as an author
). By constantly reading what other, successful authors are doing you can find out what works and how you can mold your writing style to meet the needs of the market. Simple mathematics, really.What Now?
Constantly learn from the greats and improve, deliver, repeat.
I'll update on my progress in about a week (must fix that into my schedule
)
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