What’s the difference between an aspiring writer and a bestselling author?
Writing time.
Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason and hailed by some as the best-selling author of the 20th century, set before himself the goal of writing 66,000 words per week.
Yes, per week.
The secret: keep writing, no matter what.
If you’ve ever wanted to write a novel — or if you’ve started one but never finished it — there’s only one way it’s going to happen. You have to make yourself write it.
Because sometimes, yes, writing is a joy. The words flow effortlessly onto the page. The sun shines, the birds chirp, and you’re all smiles.
But other times, it’s painfully tough. Every sentence comes out wrong. Every word is torture.
It doesn’t matter. Because the truth is, a successful author must keep writing. In most cases, every day. And that means you need the time to write.
Write a novel the cheap and easy way.
If you’re worried I’m about to inflict you with a rah-rah motivational technique, relax.
I don’t know about you, but I like to do things the easy way. Here’s how.
Buy a kitchen timer. (I’m partial to the Datexx Miracle Cube timer. Look it up on Amazon.)
First thing in the morning — yes, even before you check your email — set the timer for half an hour. And just write.
Anything. Everything. Bad stuff. Good stuff.
Do nothing but write until the timer goes off.
Then you can stand up, stretch, get some water.
If you have time to do another half-hour session, do it. If you don’t, just rock on with your day.
Do this every day, and you’ll finish your book. Maybe in just a few months.
Yes, it really is that simple.
So, what time of day do you like to write? Leave me a comment.