For the clients I work with, writing their book is an additional task on their long list of tasks. Some might like to have a book written yesterday, but for many, the process of clarifying their ideas, identifying their audience, and developing a solid outline is a welcome challenge. They understand that doing the work of writing the book improves the message they share in other media. They don’t necessarily want to do it quickly, but they also don’t want the project to go on indefinitely. Most of all, they want to do it well.
For busy people—and that’s all of us—the more significant and revealing question I’m often asked when I have a discovery call is how many hours a week do I need to dedicate to the book? Truth is, they’re asking for a minimum, thinking about whether they’ll be able to hold up their end of our book-writing partnership, which makes their investment in book coaching worthwhile.
In talking about this with other book coaches, we’ve come up with the number of four hours per week. These four hours are focused and distraction-free. They may include research—with caution of falling into the search engine vortex. I’ve had clients produce substantial first drafts and revised manuscripts with five 45-minute writing sessions a week. Others write for two hours every Saturday and Sunday morning. I’ve heard more than one writer talk about writing in two daily 15-minute spurts in the school drop-off and pick-up line (and yes, I realize that adds up to less than four hours a week).
Like any new habit, the key is preparation and consistency. I’m a firm believer in first developing a strong outline, and before you begin writing your book, I recommend spending your four hours per week creating one. Whatever writing cadence you establish, stick with it so that it becomes as habitual and necessary as brushing your teeth.
I also place high value on the idea of percolation—the time you spend away from the keyboard thinking about your book. If you know you’re going to write first thing in the morning, let your ideas brew in your brain while you’re having breakfast or going for a run. If you plan to do a longer sprint, jot down notes about the topic you’ll write about so when you sit down, you’re ready to begin without hesitation.
For this newsletter, I have a stack of index cards with ideas. As I think of things, I jot one idea per index card and when Tuesday rolls around, I can flip through the cards and decide what I’ll write about for the week. I’ve spent time thinking about these ideas in random moments while doing mindless chores, so when I sit down to write, my session is focused and productive.
I’m not telling you anything new. Plenty of experts have written books about productivity, the importance of focus, forming habits, and time management. What’s new—and I hope encouraging—is having a quantified number of hours in which you can make your book a reality.