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Manuscript Magic
7 Simple Steps to Writing a Book
Heather Davis Desrocher
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eBook - ePub
Manuscript Magic
7 Simple Steps to Writing a Book
Heather Davis Desrocher
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About This Book
Have you ever wanted to write a book only to sit down in front of a blank page, or a new Google doc, confused. Where do I start? What's the right format? How do I know what to write? What if no one cares what I have to share?
Most writers are plagued with self-doubt and lack a plan to complete a manuscript. This booklet will guide you through our seven-step book mapping journey so that your message or story flows out magically into a book you can be proud to share with the world.
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Step
1
Define the Message
In my experience, everyone has a story, but not everyone knows where to start. So, where do you start? You start by defining the message that is uniquely yours to share. The message is the most important part of your book. It drives you to write and shapes what you share.
To create your message, look through your life experiences and determine what you can share that will help others. The lessons you have learned and the wisdom you have gained are valuable and worth sharing. Often your message can come from your greatest challenge or most painful life experience. Your story creates the message that guides your book.
These questions will help you clarify your message: What awareness do you want your reader to have after reading the book? What main life lesson does the book teach?
Here are examples of messages our authors have defined as uniquely theirs:
C. Elliott Haverlack â A life of abundance and fulfillment is available to everyone who seeks it through faith, family and freedom.
Kristina Jay â There are tools and wisdom (or principles) that can guide you through a divorce with dignity, grace and compassion for all involved.
Dr. Paul Arciero â There is a research-supported way to efficiently lose weight, be healthier, and improve performance.
Christine Elwart â There is a map to living with joy and a process to creating the life of your dreams that has been used by some of the most successful people in history.
Dr. Brenda Lyon â There are scientifically proven methods you can use to reduce and eliminate stress in your life.
Valentina Dimitri â When we become aware of our patterns and learn new tools, we can walk the path of transformation to rise above emotional entrapment.
What do you notice about these messages? Hopefully they inspire you and help you to start defining your message. It may be helpful to think of some of your favorite books â ones that made a difference in your life. What was the message of each book? What about them inspired you? Why did that particular author write it? What did they bring to the table that helped them tell their story?
To write Manuscript Magic I had to define the message. At first I was developing an acronym and thought the message would be: P.R.E.P.A.R.E. (Plan, Research, Edit, Punctuate, Audience, Revise, Enjoy). But after working with the idea for a while, the message changed. Those were all important tips; but what authors need more is the process, or steps, that one uses to create a book. After some refining, here is the message of Manuscript Magic:
There is a magical 7-step process that you can use to create your manuscript.
Of course, there are plenty of other examples you can use to help you define your unique message. To help refine your message, share it with some friends and ask for feedback. Would they read a book with that message? These conversations will help you to further clarify your message.
Take Step 1
Gather a pen and some paper and write down your ideas.
- What significant experience changed your life?
- What lessons did you learn?
- How did the experience change you?
- What is the universal message that you learned?
- Are there others who have the same problem who you could help by sharing your story?
Your message will guide you as you continue the creation process and write your book.
Step
2
Identify the Obstacles
There is a metaphysical principle that states: Once you commit to something, everything that is NOT that shows up. Once you commit to writing your book and developing your message, the inner critic may start speaking more loudly, reminding you of all the reasons that you cannot (and should not) write.
Most writers (probably all writers) face countless obstacles to writing a book â and I know there are many people who gave up on their dream to write a book because of these obstacles. The good news is you can be prepared to silence that silly little critic when it tells you to quit.
Letâs take a look at some of the common lies that may try to prevent you from writing your book. When you hear them, you can laugh and keep writing anyway!
- I am not an expert.
- I am not disciplined.
- I am not influential enough.
- No one would buy my book.
- I do not know how to write.
- I need help to be inspired to write.
- I am too busy. I donât have the time to write.
- My voice is not that important. Who do I think I am?
- I am not capable of distilling ideas into cogent written text.
- I am not special. What has happened to me has happened to a lot of people.
- I have all these ideas, but they are all over the place and swirling in my head. They will never amount to anything, anyhow.
What other obstacles can you imagine? Each of the authors with whom I have worked has faced obstacles, but each author persevered to write and publish their book. All of them will tell you that it was worth it!!
Becky Savage, author of #OneChoice: How Ten Seconds Can Change Your Life, felt that she was not a good writer. She had the added challenge of writing her book in both her own voice and in the voices of her two sons â sons who had both passed from an accidental opioid overdose. With the help of our editorial team and the willingness to do the best she could, her book was published in December 2021, with much fanfare and a #1 New Release status. Everyone we have heard from says how much they enjoyed the book and how...