Can you write a book before breakfast? Of course, though, if you’re going to write a substantial, high-quality book, you can’t write it in just one day. However, you can very well write your book before breakfast, every single day, over a period of time.
If you know that writing a book will lift you to the next level in your life, business, or career, you need to take the time to write the book. Of course, that’s easier said than done, so I suggest writing it before breakfast… literally before breakfast!
In this blog article, we’ll cover why you should write your book “before breakfast,” how to do it, and how to stay productive. Routine and planning are important aspects of the writing process; so after reading this article, you’ll be better equipped to write your book.
Why Write Your Book Before Breakfast
Have you heard of the “author paradox?” The author paradox is a phrase I coined to describe the following phenomenon: the people who have the least time to write a book are those who should be writing a book the most.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean that people who aren’t busy shouldn’t write books. What I mean is that the people who are extremely busy teaching others and accomplishing extraordinary things have a lot to offer us.
Personally, I prefer reading books from people who weren’t professional writers before writing a book because they offer valuable insights into different disciplines. Simply, writing isn’t something that should be reserved for professional writers.
If you’re one of these people with a lot to share, chances are that you’re constantly flooded with opportunities and a lot happens throughout your day. To get ahead of it all, you should make writing your book a non-negotiable before you even eat anything. (Coffee is allowed while writing, though).
How to Write a Book with Only 50 Minutes a Day
When I say you can write your book before breakfast, I mean that you only need about 50 minutes of writing in the morning to make decent progress. With 50 minutes a day, you can write a compelling, life-changing book in about 2 to 3 months.
This, however, begs the question of how to actually write your book. What I mean is, while you could sit down and vomit a stream of consciousness on the page for 50 minutes, it wouldn’t make a compelling book for your audience. Instead, focus on fulfilling these prompts:
- What is your book’s goal? Your goal can be to either explain or describe something, to persuade your audience of an argument, or to simply tell a story.
- Who is your target audience? Your target audience should be a group of people who share a common problem, pain, interest, or desire.
- How do you divide your chapters? Your chapters should be divided by topic, theme, or lesson.
- Which questions do you need to answer? There’s a set of questions your audience needs answers to understand your point.
The approach we use with our clients at Trivium Writing is to create an irresistible book concept that makes the goal and target audience very clear. Once the concept is drafted, we create a comprehensive list of questions so that clients never run out of inspiration.
If you’d like more information about this process, book a free consultation here.
How to Write Productively: Rewards and Discipline
How can you make sure to be productive while writing? Start with your surroundings. Make sure you are somewhere comfortable. If you enjoy writing with music, put music. If you like a cup of coffee, get yourself a cup of coffee.
One thing you can do is tell yourself, “Okay, I get to drink my coffee while I write that book." Writing becomes the condition to have your coffee. So, you sit down at your computer and write your book. I can't overstate the importance of rewarding yourself.
At the end of the day, everything in life is a negotiation with ourselves. We invest not only our money, but also our time. Sometimes, we need to compromise to achieve our desire. Sometimes, we need to bribe ourselves—and that’s okay. Your book matters.
How to Write a Book with Focus: The Discipline of the Browser
Maintain productivity by making sure you have nothing else open on your screen. If you're using your work or business computer, close everything else to avoid distractions. I call this “the discipline of the browser.”
If you have a laptop or another personal computer, make sure you pick one and stick to it. Finally, make sure you have a writing goal or intention. The goal can be to write for the whole 50 minutes without interruption. Or it can be to write 500 words.
Remember that putting conditions to your work (e.g., time or word count) wires your brain to be more efficient and focused, and you will become a productive writer as a result. Your productivity follows the same rule as compound interest.
The beauty of productivity is that it compounds over time, and this is as true with writing as it is with anything else. Work smart, put in the effort, and, before you know it, with a little pre-breakfast dedication, you’re a published author!
If you would like to find out how Trivium Writing can help you write your book, book a call with us today.
Article by Leandre Larouche
Leandre Larouche is a writer, coach, and the founder of Trivium Writing.
