Is Your New Year’s Resolution to Write a Book?

Every New Year's, thousands of aspiring business and self-help authors resolve to make this the year they get their book done. I've heard that 80 percent of people want to write a book-that's a lot of people. But even if that figure is wrong, and, say, 40 percent of people have the goal of writing a book, that's still millions. However, fewer than 300,000 books are published every year in the United States (find more numbers on www.bookstatistics.com). That means there are a lot of aspiring authors out there who haven't reached their goal.

So if you're one of those folks who want to get the book done in 2010, here are a few thoughts to get you going.

It Will Feel Really Great to Get That Book Doner
If you've been thinking about writing a book for a while, then just think of how great it will feel to get it done. Imagine holding a copy in your hand and flipping through the pages. Imagine marketing your book and seeing the orders come in. Keep those images in mind when you write, and use them as a way to stay motivated. And by this time next year, you'll be able to say, "I'm an author," instead of, "I want to write a book."

Authoring a Book Establishes Expertiser
One of the best ways to get motivated is to think of the benefits. Along with the personal satisfaction of completing your book, you can leverage it into new and exciting professional opportunities as well.

When you write a book, your status as an expert is immediately elevated. Why? Because you wrote the book! This higher level of expertise makes it easier to get booked for speaking engagements, opens up new opportunities for consulting, helps you get more publicity, and as a result of all these, brings in more income.

Write Oftenr
Most people can't write a book in a month or less. Even two months would be really hard. If you can take time away from work and other activities to write your book really fast, then that's great. But most people can't-they have jobs or clients or other things that need to get done.

You'll be more likely to get your book done if you devote an hour or so a day on most days to writing. See where you can cut down on other activities, like watching television or checking e-mail or hanging out on Facebook. Make the commitment to write, and then do what you can to make steady progress, even if it's just a page a day. Once you start writing a little every day for a week or so, your writing time will become habitual, and your day won't feel complete without it.

Get Help and Guidancer
Especially if you've never written a book before, it will help to have someone there to help you. Save a little money to work with a coach, or join a writing group that will help keep you accountable, motivated, and moving forward. This is a great way to get feedback and work through challenges that come up as you write. And everything is more fun when you do it with someone else.

You Can Write Your Book In 2010!
Not everyone who sets out this New Year to write a book will actually finish it. But if you really want to make it happen, and you're willing to do what it takes to get it done, then I know you'll be one of the few who becomes an author this year!