Monday’s writing tip for authors

February’s transition into March provides you with an opportunity to take a fresh look at the planning progress you’ve made so far this year writing a book, and commit to specific planning tasks you want to accomplish during March.

Specificity is the key to March success

The easiest way you can make the most planning your book during March is to analyze where you are now in the book planning process, and set specific goals for each week following March’s 5 Mondays.

Taking stock

To see where you are now, analyze the current status of your book planning in these 4 key planning areas:

1. Have you identified realistic goals for writing your book? It’s not enough to say, I want to write a book! In order to pave the way to making the right writing and publishing decisions, you need to identify realistic and specific goals for your book. (See The Business Impact of Writing a Book.)
2. Have you targeted the readers you want to read your book? Publishing success involves identifying your most desired market segments and analyzing their characteristics, goals, and information needs. This involves creating personas for each reader category and identifying the desired change your desired readers are looking for.
3. Have you chosen a topic and working title for your book? Until you have narrowed down your topic possibilities and chosen the right title, you’re dealing with dreams and intentions. Unfocused dreams and intentions are not enough to convince your prospective readers and marketing partners (including literary agents and potential publishers) that you’re serious about your topic.
4. Have you chosen the best publishing option? There are more book publishing options available today than ever before. There are plusses and minuses associated with each option. The right option offers you the flexibility, control, and cash flow that’s best for your particular situation.

Taking action in March

After reviewing where you are in the planning process, with an emphasis on the progress you made during February, identify four or 5 specific planning tasks you want to accomplish in March.

There are 5 Mondays in March, 2010:

• March 1
• March 8
• March 15
• March 22
• March 29

Make a simple list of 5 specific planning tasks you want to accomplish, and commit to accomplishing one each week in March.

Visit Published & Profitable’s Planning Portal to learn more about the key planning questions that authors must answer before writing their book, along with the articles, author guides, and worksheets available to help Published & Profitable members make maximum progress planning a book during March.