The Fastest Way to Write Your Book

This book is about the fastest way to write your book ...and the fastest ways to create great ideas, plan your book, research it, edit it, find an agent or publisher, and sell it. How long does it take to write a book? Barbara Cartland usually took two weeks. Stephen King once did it in seven days. Alexandre Dumas did it in three. Proof that writing a book need not take months or even years as is generally thought. In fact some of the books that we now regard as classics (such as Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", Jack Kerouac's "The Subterraneans" or Walter Scott's "Waverley" novels) were written in just days, or a few weeks at most. Knowing that it can be done so quickly is one thing, but how did these writers - and many others - actually do it? What are their secrets? And how could modern technology make the process easier - and perhaps even faster - even if you hate using computers? You'll find all the answers in this highly readable, entertaining and inspiring book, which rediscovers the secrets of the speed-writing masters, updates them for today's writers and lifestyles, and adds hundreds of new hints, tips and techniques for good measure.

Table of Contents:
1. INTRODUCTION Zero to finished first draft in under a month Over 200 techniques explained (actually it's over 300) Choose the twenty techniques that suit you best 8 writers who completed their books in under 6 weeks Scams to avoid Proof that this book works 2. WHY WRITE A BOOK AND WHY WRITE IT FAST? The secret of happiness Credibility, expertise, profits How to be famous How to advance your career by writing a book Speed versus quality: not an issue here How to regain your freedom and avoid guilt The biggest difference you can make 3. BEFORE YOU START The secret of success Why it's good to be a know-it-all The 8 things you MUST do before you start What your readers really want How to guarantee you'll hit all your targets Books that write themselves The main thing that kills your creativity - and how to avoid it Take charge of your computer 4. THE FASTEST WAYS TO FIND GREAT IDEAS Ideas that seek you out Note-taking tips 45 easy ways to find great ideas 5. WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW Is your idea too big? Easy brainstorming How to tell good ideas from bad ones Mind mapping the easy way Keywords, clusters and word webs What you don't know - but really ought to 6. RESEARCH A better way to take notes How to research a whole book in a day How to research two (or more) books at once Historical research Researching online Effective interviewing Primary research How to read 30 to 40 books per hour The 5 books every writer should own 7. PLANNING AND OUTLINING The great time-saving plan A new way to write All about outlining Why a better outline means less writing Outlining with a word processor Outlining using other software An alternative method Why you need a second opinion 8. FINDING TIME TO WRITE How to live a happier life Finding time versus making time Doing it faster means doing it differently Faster ways to stay in the loop Working with your body clock Time management made easy Time-saving tips and shortcuts 9. GETTING STARTED The worst way to start Getting past the first page How to have more energy and enthusiasm Secrets of reverse psychology Knowing when to stop... and when not to 10. LET'S GET WRITING How to write your book at lunchtime Top dictation tips The right way to use abbrs. The biggest secret of getting published Why word processors are bad news... and what to do about it How to achieve all your goals 11. FAST FICTION Classic stories: why the old ones are still the best When to take charge of your characters, and when not to Seven wonderful days, three restful weeks How to think and write visually Death to dull characters! Speeding up, slowing down The 5 essential writing skills...