So many people, including me sit down to write and feel stuck. Or, many people (including me), lament that we don’t have time to write. You may have something that’s been in your heart for a while, and you want to share it. But you keep thinking, “I’ll do it in my free time.”. I get it.

Here are some tips that I’ve learned along the way to help you be successful:

Step 1: Plan to write.

Think of project managers. They plan each step of a project. Otherwise, nothing gets done. Sure, spontaneous writing can still be a part of the writing but without a plan, it’s hit and miss.

Let go of ideas about having to “be in the mood” or being in a mountain cabin to write. That’s nice but not necessary. Plan it. Do it. In small steps. Maybe a page a day to start is enough.

Step 2:  Write an outline.

By outline, I mean just that. An outline of what you want to write. If you’re writing a self-help book, look at other self-help books and study the outlines of their books.  Name your chapters. They can always be changed. Just start.

Step 3: Write your crappy first draft.

It won’t be pretty. Don’t worry about grammar and punctuation now. Write each chapter or the whole story. That’s it. Tell yourself it’s okay if it’s rough or crappy.

Step 4: Rewrite the First draft.

Start with a fresh mind and read your draft. Take out what doesn’t work and add in what’s needed. That should be all you do that day.

Step 5: Edit your First Draft.

Congratulations. You already have a first draft of your story, book, play, poem, etc. Read through the entire manuscript, chapter by chapter. Does it flow? Do you make your points clear? How do you think your reader will feel when reading your book? Make notes then make changes.

Step 6: Let Go.

If you are looking to publish something, send your manuscript to a professional editor. Not a friend, although it is tempting. Once you are at this stage, it’s time to bring in a professional.

If you are writing something that you’d like to use in a class or in your life in some other way, but you don’t want  to publish it, ask a couple friends or family members to read it, and get their feedback.

If you are writing something just for you to get it off your chest, but it’s not for anyone else to see, you can skip this step.

Step 7: Do a final review.

Review the final draft of your manuscript. Read it through again. There can always be improvements, but you know when it is time to be Done. This is true whether you are writing something just for yourself to explore something or solve a problem or if you want to share it with the world.

Reviewing your writing can help you learn or see something new every time you read it back to yourself.

Whether you are off to the printer after this or on to whatever your next endeavor is after this exploration is done, best of luck to you!

If you think you’d like to explore with other people, sign up to get notified of when my live virtual writing retreat will be starting this fall!