How to write a book
January 5, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Blogs, publishing
Random thoughts on a clear and cold morning because I got asked how to start writing a book by somebody who thought they had one in them.
Want to write a book? Start with a brand new blog. Disable all comments so nobody can communicate with you. Start writing the book – one page at a time.
Feel free to edit it – but put it out there.
Why a blog? It’s easy to do, it’s a commitment, it’s recordable, and it’s a statement that you’re serious enough to at least “put it out there”. Wanting to write a book but not even starting is just kidding yourself. You don’t need any plugins or functionality other than normal spam protection – you just need that software.
Why disable comments? My take on comments is that they get in the way of writing. If you get a positive comment, you glow and feel good. If you get a negative comment at this beginning stages – it’s like a bucket of cold water. And we tend to remember the negative comment rather than the positive one. You don’t need comments at this stage – you need words on a page. You need the act of writing and getting it out there.
Don’t tell your friends. Don’t tell your mother. Don’t tell your neighbor. Don’t tell your lover (well, maybe tell your lover you’re doing it – but that’s your call).
Just do it.
“What do I do once I finish the book?” you ask.
That’s another kettle of fish – ask me when you’ve written it, edited it and got it as good as it’s going to get.
I’m confused! Is this blog of yours replacing your newsy weekly feature of old? I appreciate the links to recent posts, but a blog does not apparently clearly link to your own websites (of which I think you have a few), and which I enjoyed. the blog itself, therefore, really does not give me the interesting garden information and plethora of links to gardening resources (including your ebooks) that I’ve gotten used to from you! Good thing I added some earlier columns to my clutch of Favorites, so I can track back.
Please clarify!
@Pat – the blog is NOT replacing the newsletter. Remember that I wrote that I was taking December off from writing it – (next issue goes out this week)
And glad you enjoy it and would miss it (and yes, indeed I have a ton of websites out there) 
HI Doug, How to write a book,. Is this not true for about any thing you want to write. You just have to write it , edit it and go or not go with the results.. I am slowly learning that no mater what I am writing, a blog post, a comment on a blog or any other thing you just have to write it and the deal with it after. Can’t tell you how many times I have written some thing only to scrap it and start over. When I first started blogging and writing I use to try to write it once and be done. That some times did not work. I found that to write what you are thinking and then edit or rewrite was a better approach.. Not long ago I may have not even left this comment because I just could not make it say what I wanted it to.
OK Enough of that stuff. Are you going to Florida this year or are you going to stay on that frozen rock?
Wishing you and Mayo a great and prosperous New Year,
John
@John every person who starts writing and keeps up with it eventually comes to the place and method that suits them. I’m glad you’ve found yours and that it’s working well for you,
Stay warm my friend.