Even though I’ve been struggling more with the finishing touches to book #2 than I did with Playground . . . , I’m still taking in and learning from every part of the writing process this go-around. I count it a privilege to have the struggle, because I think I learn my most powerful lessons during those times. In a future post, I’ll make sure to let you in on all the character-building lessons I’ve been learning during this current book writing journey. However, I’m somewhat compelled to give you a little sneak peek of what I’m currently wrestling with. So, keep reading.
My mind has contemplated stepping out of this book and into a whole new book several times . . . like starting a new book is the answer to all of my writing challenges with this second endeavor. But, the thought was fleeting each time; because the reality of the situation is that my second book deserves to go out into the world and do what it’s meant to do — encourage, inspire, and motivate. I think it’s going to be one of those reading gems that has the ability to help a lot of people in their journey of self-discovery if given the opportunity to live. Furthermore, I plan on using book #2 (as well as my first book) in live one-on-one and group sessions with individuals who could benefit from its content. And, that realization is what has brought on some hesitation (maybe even a little fear) in finalizing the book and letting the magnitude of its reach be manifested.
I’m definitely not putting the parking brakes on the endeavor at hand. It’s too important to give up and tuck away. I just needed to slow down a bit, take a few much-needed breaks here and there, and then regroup to make the last push to get this project up and running. Well, enough of that. Check out my weekly report for November 10 – 16, 2019:
Audio Book Prep
I mentioned to you that I would start preparing for my audio book recording of Playground . . . by reading it daily as repetitive practice and strengthening of my voice for the future task at hand. However, I failed to pick up my book at all last week. I shared the reasoning for the lack of activity on this goal in my prior post entitled, Reliving the Fears from Your Writing Process. Nevertheless, I will say that last week wasn’t void of voice preparation. My vocals got a substantial workout. Little Man and I did manage to finish his Accelerated Reader book, Hideout by Gordon Korman. We alternated reading out loud and I enjoyed the book thoroughly. And of course, my son was totally engaged in the book because it provided suspense, comedy, mystery, and action. With all of those genres present, he couldn’t help but get an “A” on his reading comprehension test of the book. So, we’re now starting a third book in that series, Framed. We haven’t been reading them in order, but it’s not necessary for you to do so in order to understand what’s happening in the series. All four books can stand alone. Back to my original goal. My task this week will be to pick up my book and start my daily vocals routine.
Furthermore, I plan on scheduling a time to go to the local university’s recording studio this week and receive a tour of the facilities and equipment to see if their digs would be a viable option for me. I’m thinking that the library’s set-up is probably a no-go for all the reasons that I mentioned in my previous weekly report, entitled Writing Goals for Remainder of 2019 – Weekly Report 3. We’ll see. Of course, I’ll need to take the cost for recording into consideration as well. I haven’t inventoried exactly what I would need in order to get my home audio-ready for recording, but I’m guessing it would cost a pretty penny to do so. I think the deciding factor will come down to what I find out about the cost and scheduling to use the university’s recording studio.
Book Writing (but really Book Reading)
Along with reading with my son, I managed to read Joanna Penn’s books, How to Make a Living with Your Writing and The Successful Author Mindset. I enjoyed both books immensely. Now, you may be wondering where reading books comes into play with the writing goals that I’ve set for myself. And, I’d have to say that these books are very much in line with those goals. Both have everything to do with writing for the long-term, which is what I desire to do. One book has more to do with how to earn multiple streams of income from your writing and how to make those earnings sustainable for the long-term, while the other book has to do with the mentality you must sustain in order to write for the long-term. What a breath of fresh air! This past week I needed both reminders to confirm the reason I do what I do and they were right on time. These books gave me momentum as I worked on book #2, so they had everything to do with my writing goals. By the way, I’m giving myself the rest of this month into the middle of next to have my final manuscript version completed. The workbook should be completed at this point as well. Speaking of workbook . . .
Homework/Bookwork (Workbook Prep)
I bought Joanna Penn’s workbook version of The Successful Author Mindset as a homework assignment. I’m looking to create a workbook version of my second book and I wanted to see how a well-known author to authors does her workbooks. No need in “reinventing the wheel” if the wheel already works. I was surprised to find that her workbook version was basically her original book with areas included for writing down answers to the questions she posed throughout. For some reason, I was thinking the workbook would simply include questions and then room to answer those question with some additional content that wasn’t provided in the original book. However, Joanna’s workbook version works just fine because it gives you Joanna’s content as well as your thoughts written down in one place. If you don’t want to write out answers to the questions for later reference, then the workbook version wouldn’t be necessary. Regardless, Joanna gives you a complete book in either version. Brilliant idea. I may adopt this format or choose to do the separate workbook that would complement my book version. I’ll have to see which works best for my particular situation.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing I can truly say with 100% certainty, it’s this: I have no shortage of tasks at hand. They’re coming along, and slower than anticipated progress is definitely better than no progress at all. For the next writing project, it would probably be wise to factor in breaks to recalibrate. And, I bet you thought I forgot about mentioning my public speaking goal with all of the reading and writing going down. Well, I didn’t. It’s very much on my mind, but I’m just reserving this project as one of my main focal points for next month. A lot of what I’m aiming to do with my public speaking is directly related to getting my second book in order. So, first things first.
degreesofmaternity.com 