Top 10 tips are certainly commonplace in newsletters and blog posts today and I am more than happy to follow this trend.

I love to be able to have a list of items that I use as a checklist to leverage my existing lifestyle choices and cultivate them into new and different habits and outcomes.

In this top 10 list are some of the practical tools that I use to help me along the way and keep me on the straight and narrow to produce written work (and for me this needs to be done in some form daily). I am the first to admit that I am by no means a wordsmith. Without these tools I would never produce any written content.

Perhaps one, or two of these tools may be of assistance in your book-writing journey.

1. Carry a journal – I realise this seems rather simple, however the ability to keep all ideas in one place is really underestimated by many people. Perhaps they are yet to have the light bulb moments that are had when flicking through previous journal notes and connecting dots on seemingly, unrelated ideas.

2. Dictate notes – for those, like myself, who are particularly poor at typing, this is a great way to produce content without confusing the brain further when it does not like to type.

3. Collect books – This is done electronically (Pinterest, Instagram, DropBox) and physically (lots of shelves filled with many books). The picture that I am building in my mind is nurtured by seeing these books. The stronger that image in my mind, the more likely I am to achieve publication of my book.

4. Up-cycle content – When was the last time you read through articles and notes that you have taken over the years? I look through files on my computer. My aim is to find common themes. Build on those themes and consider how I can up-cycle them into another book.

5. Old journals and notebooks – You know the ones in the bottom drawer, gathering dust. I pull these out and review them. Flick through the pages and see what my thoughts were about topics. Have my thoughts changed? What have I learned since the last time I looked at my notes? Are there ideas that I wrote down that I could now implement? These reflections provide me with some insights. This usually means I make new notes on the insights that I have had while reviewing the journals and notebooks. I am also thinking about how I could use my findings as potential outlines for my next book. And the cycle continues.

6. Audiobooks – Listening to audiobooks about writing books while commuting to and from home or work is a great way for me to digest books that I would otherwise find difficult to find the time to read. There is always an opportunity to learn from others. Audiobooks are a great way to read more diversely. My aim is to hear tips about successes, and how to avoid costly mistakes.

7. Books about writing books – At times the only books I keep in ‘my reach’ are about book writing. No matter where I look, I am reminded about my goal. Again and again seeing prompts to assist me with achieving my book publishing goals.

8. Social pressure – On my website I put ‘Due out soon’ on the book I am working on. I certainly feel obliged to fulfil the promise of publishing the book I have on my website.

9. Hire a coach or mentor – There are times when I do not have the motivation or skill to do what I want to achieve. When this happens I get someone on board to help me out and get me across the line.

10. Start – Probably the most important thing I do is Start. Even if it is five minutes a day. Building a small habit into a bigger habit.

What will you do to juggle life and write your book, today?

Do any of these tips assist?

What gets you up and going?

Can you change a prior habit into a new one that provides you with the outcomes that you want?

If you would like to contact me, you can do so by sending me an email dyan@dyanburgess.com

You may be interested in watching a 25 minute video about Creating Your Book in Less than 60 Minutes, please find out more details here.