10 Powerful Tactics For Bloggers Intending To Author Change

Many bloggers want to create change. They write and publish posts with the intention of positively and meaningfully impacting the lives of those who read them or to inspire others to take up their cause for community, organizational, or world change. But they don’t accomplish that goal

Why?

They stop at blogging rather than also writing and publishing books that take their blog posts—and desire to impact change—further.

Maybe you can relate.

You might even have the idea for a book based on your change-related blog posts. This book likely corresponds with your sense of calling, mission, or purpose. And maybe you even started blogging a book, booking your blog, or writing a book manuscript from scratch about this cause.

But you haven’t finished the book or published it. Therefore, no one has read the book, which means you haven’t had the greater impact you desire.

And you won’t…not until you write and publish that change-inspiring book.

Athor a Book to Author Change

Numerous things probably stop you from writing your book. Maybe you are:

• Too tired
• Too busy
• Too overextended
• Too overwhelmed

I get it. Life gets in the way.

It’s not like I always finish what I start either. I’ve got a bunch of books started and not completed and proposal that are almost-but-not-quite ready to send to an agent (which means I haven’t written the sample chapters yet). I get busy with other things, too—like client work, book editing, promotion, and even my exercise routine, spending time with my husband, walking the dog, and traveling.

I get it. I do.

But at some point, you have to finish what you start if you want to become an author of change. You have to do what it takes and transform yourself (not just your readers); you have to change into someone who writes more than blog posts regularly but who also produces publishable and published book-length work.

Period.

I get this, too. That’s why I have 20 books to my name and keep up with three blogs regularly. I know how to complete a book project.

10 Tactics to Help You Finish Writing Your Transformational Book

So, how do you do that? How do you, on top of blogging consistently and on a schedule…and handling life…write your book and change the world one reader at a time?

Here are 10 tactics to help you start and finish writing your transformational book:

1. Schedule your writing time. Put book writing—not just blog writing—on your calendar as if it’s a doctor’s appointment. Block out a period of time for this activity. Show up on time. Don’t cancel the appointment. (If you do, charge yourself a fee!)
2. Make writing time non-negotiable. Your block of book writing time should be something you never compromise on. That said, you might need to move it around in your day when “life happens.” But it should stay on the calendar.
3. Know what you will write during your writing block. Don’t sit down to write. Sit down to write something specific. Yes, you are writing a book manuscript, but be more specific. For example, your calendar might say: Write the first three sections of Chapter 2, which are about “X,” “Y,” and “Z.”
4. Turn off all distractions while you write. Shut down the internet. Put a “Do-Not-Disturb” sign on your office door. Turn off your phone.
5. Only write. When you are supposed to be writing, don’t edit, revise, research, or conduct interviews. Writing time is just that—writing time.
6. Plan your book. Do not write by the seat of your pants. Have a detailed outline or a table of contents and chapter summaries. You should know what content you need to produce to write your book. No guessing allowed. Don’t start writing until you have this plan. (Find out more about have a book plan here.)
7. Write fast. You can’t dawdle if you want to finish your manuscript promptly. Set a timer for 30 or 60 minutes; then write as fast as you can.
8. Have a word count goal for each writing session. Know how many words you need to write per day or week to complete your book manuscript. Don’t get up from your desk until you meet your word count goal.
9. Set a deadline. Know by when you want to hold a published book in your hands. If you plan to self-publish, set a deadline for the completed manuscript, the editing process, and the published book. If you plan to traditionally publish, set a deadline to complete your book proposal and the sample chapters.
10. Come to the desk ready to write. Don’t show up tired, hungry, needing to pee, in a bad mood, or in any other state that will prevent you from writing effectively and productively. Before you sit down at the computer, eat some protein, drink a large glass of water, and breathe deeply so your body and brain can function properly. Get a good night’s sleep, or, if you don’t, take a power nap or meditate. Move your body. And smile! This is supposed to be fun as well as your passion and purpose.

Challenge Yourself to Become an Author of Change

Still need some help getting your change-inspiring book written? Challenge yourself.

Challenges raise your aspiration level. You will want to rise to the challenge.

For example, if you typically write a 1,000-word blog post twice per week, challenge yourself to write at least 1,000 words daily on your book manuscript.

If a challenge doesn’t do the trick, get a writing buddy to join your challenge. An accountability partner provides a sure-fire way to keep you motivated and on track to finish writing your book. In fact, challenge someone to write their book, and then join them for the challenge.

Remember Why You Want to Blog and Write for Change

I find that the thing that keeps me blogging and writing for change always comes back to my purpose—WHY I want to make a positive and meaningful difference with my words. If I am truly committed to my purpose, I will write consistently. And that reason for wanting to create change up my commitment level. With purpose and commitment, you are sure to go beyond blogging for change and author change.

In the end, you have to figure out what works best for you. Then, use whatever means you find effective to write your book and publish it. That’s the only way you’ll author change on a grander scale than by simply blogging.

Do you have writing tactics that work for you? Share them in a comment below. And, please share this post with a blogger who might benefit from reading it.

Also, be sure to preorder your copy of Change the World One Book at a Time: Make a Positive and Meaningful Difference with Your Words here—and receive a free bonus course!

Photo courtesy of evgenyatamanenko.