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[H1771]How To Write A Novel In 100 Days

by Earma Brown, Ear

Before I tell you, think about this. There are thousands of people that die each year with their book dream never realized. You may wonder, what's the difference between the ones that die with a book inside them and the ones that put pen to paper to write a book?

Some say book authors have more smarts and more time. Perhaps they have a bigger brain or were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. None of the above is true. In fact, there's very little difference between the two groups. That little difference can be boiled down to one word, ACTION.

Both groups receive great ideas and inspired messages. One group receives the idea but never ACTS on it. They never develop it and it eventually fades away. The group that fulfills their dream of becoming an author receives the idea, ACTS on it, develops it and completes it.

Won't you join the group that acts on their ideas? Here are 7 tips that will help you write a book in the next 100 days or less:

1. Move your book dream up to the top 3 priorities. No, you don't have to sell your soul anymore to write a saleable book. Use the cumulative effect of doing a little bit at a time. Even so, unless you want it to take years to write, you must schedule writing time each week. For example, you could write 2 pages a day and have a short book in weeks.

Develop a regular writing schedule. Think about your priorities right now. Can you fit 7-10 hours a week in? If you have to let something go that is not high on your priority list, do it. Now is your time. Next year is not better. Set yourself up for a successfully written book in the next 100 days by making your book goal a top priority.

2. Stump out the fear of failure. Many writers tremble in their tracks with fear that their book won't sell. Don't be afraid. Your book will sell if its presents useful information, answers important readers questions, and impacts people for the good. If it presents entertaining or humorous information it could go farther than you imagined.

If it creates a deeper understanding of humanity, animals of this world its worth reading. With one to three of these elements your book is worth writing. More than three, it has potential of making great sales even to best seller status. Go ahead, write your book and make the world a better place.

3. Avoid re-inventing the wheel. Use the information you already have. Your audience is looking for solutions to their problems. They are looking to you for encouragement to overcome their challenges. Mine your background, your files, and your speeches for the gold called your knowledge. Use speedy book writing techniques and finish your book faster to sell sooner. Stay with what you know.

You're the expert. To have the best chance to get your book done in the next 100 days, use what you have already written. Use your speeches, your seminars, your notes and experiences. Fill your book with your stories, case studies and examples.

4. Choose your target audience. Then write your book for them. When you give your book a target, it will resonate with your audience. To be honest, your book will not interest everyone. When you target one audience at a time, each tip, each story or how-to will be more effective. Aim your message and you will have a competitive edge on most book writers.

For many just shoot their message out into the dark and hope it connects with someone. When targeting your potential readers, create an audience profile. Are your potential readers male or female? How old are they? Are they interested in self-help, mystery, romance, how-to books? What problems do they face? Are they business people or professionals? Are they techies or non-techies? Are they willing to spend $15-30 on your book?

5. Make an educated choice about your publishing options before you write your book. Will you self-publish or shop for a traditional publish? There are serious pros and cons for either method. Find out the differences so you can make an educated choice that suits you. If you are self-publishing, consider the POD technology for your book. There are lots of good choices that will publish your book for you at an affordable price.

If you are opting for a traditional publisher, get an agent and a contract before writing the book. Then shop agents and publishers with 2 chapters and a knock-out book proposal. Invest in one of the current market guides and research the best fit for your work. It raises your chances considerably if you know what kind of manuscripts a particular company is looking for.

Don't let one word keep you from realizing your book dream in less than 100 days. Act now; you can do it. Remember to put your book writing in the top 3 priorities of your life, stump out fear of failure, avoid re-inventing the wheel, choose your target audience and make an educated choice about your publishing options. Using the above simple tips you can easily write and complete your book in a 100 days or less. Act now and use your ideas before they fade. Here's to your best success as Author.

And, like FDR, incoming President Barack Obama enters the White House at a time of great crisis with his own ambitious first 100 days to do list.

Chances are, if you're coming on board as a nonprofit development director in today's climate, you, too, may be facing a time of great instability.

Nonprofits, for the most part, have been hit hard by our nation's economic woes. They're facing challenges in terms of donations, staffing, government and foundation funding and organizational structure.

How can you make a difference quickly, while at the same time setting those important standards for your organization's future sustainability?

Too often a development director's worth is hastily measured by those without a true understanding of how development operates. Today's grant proposal will more than likely take months, if not a year, to bear fruit. Establishing a successful individual donor campaign will certainly yield immediate results, but the real results may take years.

How can you best approach your new position in those crucial first 100 days?

Begin by giving yourself some time to review what's been done in the past. Hopefully the grant files will be well organized, the database will be one that you're already familiar with, you can access what has been done in terms of any type of annual appeal and events.

Make a list to determine what needs to be done in each of the following areas:

Grants
Take a look at your organization's 990 or budget for the past three years to determine what percentage of the budget came from grant funding.

Has the organization run any past capital campaigns? Do they have a history of funding from the same funders every year? What efforts have been made to locate new sources of foundation or corporate funding? What is the organization's goal for foundation/corporate funding? What types of relationships does the organization have with their foundation/corporate funders?

If you've been in the field for awhile, right off the top of your head, some new sources may come to mind. Make it a point to prioritize locating new sources of funding by doing weekly research.

Individual Donors
Who are your donors? Does your organization have any bequest gifts?

Make it a point to create a listing of your top ten to twenty donors. You'll want to speak with them on the phone or meet with them personally within the upcoming 100 days to introduce yourself and learn about their connection with the organization.

Don't make the mistake of solely focusing on your top donors. Query your database as well to find your most loyal donors. These may be individuals who only give $50 – but they've given every year for the past ten years. Make it a point to write, call or meet with as many of these individuals as well to introduce yourself and show your appreciation.

Database
I'm assuming that your organization has one ☺. Chances are, if you're a new development director working for a smaller nonprofit and you are the sole development department, the database may be nonexistent or a bit of a mess.

Do your best to familiarize yourself with your organization's database, the past protocols for data entry and reporting procedures – and absolutely set aside time for training if necessary.

Communications
How has your organization communicated in the past? What does their website look like and who maintains it? Is their website current? What types of collateral does the organization have to express their mission? Is the organization logo prominent on all pieces of communication? Has communication with donors been current or sporadic? Has any effort been made to engage the local press?

Begin to outline a strong, consistent communications plan to keep your donors – and the public – informed.

Stewardship
Does the organization have protocols on stewardship? What are the guidelines for a thank you letter to a donor? To a corporate or foundation funder? When does the Board president or CEO sign the thank you letter? Are thank you calls made on a weekly basis?

Make a plan to gather all stewardship materials together and develop a consistent plan for thanking and retaining donors.

Events
Familiarize yourself with past events, if any. How do they relate to the mission of the organization? Have they met goal? What are the expectations for the upcoming year?

Board
During your first 30 days you should make every effort to introduce yourself to every member of your board of directors if you haven't already met. Find out how they became involved with the organization, what their fundraising goals are, and what kind of communication they'd like to receive from you.

Community
Has your organization been involved with any community organizations in the past such as Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, etc.?

If so, make it a point to keep current on the connections. If not, you may want to consider how involvement might benefit your organization.

Your Mission
Probably the most important part about your new job is your organization's mission and how you relate to it. Your strong passion for the goals and value of your organization will be key to how well you are able to raise funds.

Whether you're working for a museum, an arts organization, a free clinic, a school, a religious organization, etc., you must be thoroughly grounded and have a strong belief in the mission. Make it a point to learn why your organization was founded, who benefits, and why their services are so important to the community.

Wearing the many hats of a one-person development office is challenging! Make your first 100 days count.

Article Source : Non Fiction Book Writing

About Author

Both Earma Brown & Pamela Grow are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Earma Brown has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Marketing and Writing. Are you ready to get started writing your book in next 100 days or less? Go get my free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Book! You can get instant access to this ecourse and other. Earma Brown's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.

Pamela Grow has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Internet Marketing and Fundraising. Pamela is a consultant, assisting nonprofit organizations with proposal development, prospect research, annual appeal strategies and communication planning and is the author of “Five Days to Foundation Grants” available at. Pamela Grow's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.