Are you thinking of making the switch from writing articles to writing books? Your writing skills are established, so changing the form in which you write is easy. Discover how in this article.

Writing books (traditional books and ebooks) is easier than writing articles. This is simply because you need fewer ideas. A book is constructed around one central idea; with articles, you need to come up with a fresh idea and slant for each article.

So let’s look at how you can make the switch from writing articles to writing books.

1. Writing Made Easy With a Word and Chapter Count

Start by deciding on a word count for the completed book. If you’re a new novelist, for example, aim for a word count of around 80,000 words. Many publishers give you a word count to aim for in their guidelines. Be aware that this publisher’s word count is not a suggestion: it’s a rule, so stick to it.

If you’re writing an ebook, a good word count to aim for is around 30,000 words. In article terms, this equals around 60 500-word articles.

Thinking in terms of article word counts when you’re developing a book project makes the project seem less intimidating.

2. What’s the Destination? Write a Blurb

Next, write a blurb for your book. This is your book’s description. Keep it under 50 words. It’s vital that you create a blurb. Books tend to morph as you write them. A blurb gives you a destination; without it, you’ll get lost.

Visit a bookstore and read the blurbs on the back covers of books to see how a blurb is written, then write your own.

3. Planning With Index Cards: Create Article Titles

I plan most of my books with index cards. The cards are portable; I can toss a bundle of cards into my bag and take them with me. Then, when I get an idea for the book, I just fill out the cards.

Use your cards initially to create article titles. These “articles” will actually be your chapters.

4. Start Writing to Prime the Pump

Just like eating an elephant, you write a book a bite at a time. I always leave the file of my current book project open; I write 50 or 100 words here or there, and manage to complete the book while working with my writing students or copywriting clients.

You can do this too. Just fit writing your book into your day as best you can. Your index cards will come in useful here. I know one writer who wrote an entire book on index cards on the train to and from work; he transcribed his cards in the evenings at home.

So there you have four ideas to help you to make the switch from writing articles to writing books.

Get a mentor: create an ebook within a month, even if you’ve never written an ebook before

Jump into your own successful information-product business, under the guidance of an expert.

Create and sell your own ebooks with Angela Booth’s “Create and Sell Ebooks and Courses FAST with a Mentor”.

Want to develop a six-figure writing income?

The September 2007 issue of The Writer had a great story: “Secrets Of The Six-Figure Freelancers”. The story’s wonderful because it shows you the potential of a freelance writing career; with the development of the Web and its unlimited markets, if you can write, you can make a great income as a freelance writer.

I chuckled when I read the story because many writers think a “six figure income” is hype. Either that, or they think that a great income is reserved for copywriters, or genre novelists, or other specialist writers.

The fact is that YOU can develop a six-figure writing career: you just need to know that it’s possible to earn $250,000 a year and more as a freelance writer, and then make that your goal.

And of course, you need know-how. That’s what my writing ebook manuals give you. In 30 years as a freelance writer, I’ve learned the tricks of the writing trade, and I’d love to share those tricks with you, so many of my ebooks offer free coaching. Whatever your level of experience as a freelance writer, you can develop a fantastic career, when you know how.

Develop your writing skills today.

Want to write a book? Such a long project can seem intimidating. However, with the right planning, you’ll find it easy and enjoyable — it will make money for you as well.

You’ll find four tips to help you to write your book below.

Before we get started, here’s something you should know: writing a book is easier than writing articles for the same word count. A book is essentially a single idea, deliberately slanted, which you develop.

If you remember that your book is ONE idea, you’ll write a book which sells because it’s focused; you give your readers exactly what you promised.

Here are your tips.

1. Start a Blog — Readers Mean Potential

When you’re starting a book, start a blog. Whether you opt for traditional publishing, self-publishing or an ebook, you need readers. A blog lets you develop anticipation for your book, and a following. This following will help you to sell your book.

2. Writing Is a Journey: What’s Your Destination?

As I said earlier, a book is ONE idea, not dozens of them. Write a blurb (a brief description of 30 words or less) about your book. How will it benefit readers? Why would they read it? What does it provide?

Your blurb is your destination, and with your destination firmly in mind you won’t go wondering off the track.

Angela Booth’s writing guides have been created to help you to make money from your writing every day. Join the thousands of writers who are making great money with their writing skills.

3. Sell Your Book As You Write It

New writers think sequentially: write a book, sell the book, market the book… Professional writers do it all simultaneously. Ideally, you’ll sell your book before you finish writing it, and your marketing should go hand in hand with your writing.

4. Blog for Validation and Respect

Not only does your book’s blog ensure that you have readers, it also gives you validation and respect.

You need validation, especially if you’re a new writer and are filled with self doubt. Respect will help you to take yourself seriously as a writer and to start thinking like a writer.

These tips will help you to not only write a successful book, but also enjoy the process too. Will you make money? Although no one can guarantee this, you’ll be as sure as it’s possible to be.

Recession-proof your freelance writing career

“Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” gives you all the tools you need for a thriving writing career, no matter what the economic climate.

Three weeks after completing the class one student wrote:

“Thanks Angela, for all your help and advice in class. I’m quitting my job next week. I printed out my letter of resignation tonight after landing a contract writing job that will pay me more for three months part-time work than I earned in from my day job in the whole of 2007! You were right – the great gigs are out there, and now I’ve got the skills to land them. Your class opened my eyes. Bless you…”

“Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” shows you how to thrive as a freelance writer. Would you like to write five times more than you’re writing now, and sell to higher-paying markets? Take the class.

Many writers write their book, and then start to sell it. This is going about the process the wrong way.

The time to start selling your book is as you write it. This applies whether you’re writing a book for a traditional publisher, or you’re self-publishing an ebook or hardcover book.

In the article Fast ebooks — you can do it too — Angela Booth’s Fab Freelance Writing Blog I reported on the process I’m following for a new ebook I’m writing:

“1. I bought a domain name as soon as I got the idea;

2. I transferred the DNS to my Web host, and set up a ‘coming soon’ index page, with an article on the topic of the ebook. This is so the site gets indexed; I want it to be indexed before the ebook’s ready;

3. I’ve started creating graphics for the site and ebook. Yes, I could outsource the graphics. However, I enjoy doing it, and my graphics guy disappointed me with unusable graphics the last time I outsourced, so there’s less hassle in doing it myself. And, as I create the graphics, I can feel my enthusiasm building…;

4. I outlined the ebook in ten minutes. I’ve been writing articles on the topic so I already know what I want to say;”

If you want your book to sell, and sell well, you must start selling it… as you write it.

So if you’re currently writing a book, and haven’t thought about how you’ll sell it (you’ll need to sell it, even if you’re going the traditional publishing route) start today.

Write It Once And Sell It Forever

Get A Constant Flow Of Cash By Writing And Selling Ebooks… It’s Much, Much Easier Than You Think

Ebooks are BIG online. Most ebooks contain from five to 100 pages, and sell anywhere from $10 to $100 dollars, and over, depending on the information. Clever writers are realizing that there’s gold in ebooks, and that they’re well-placed to mine that gold…

Discover how you can self-publish online, and make a great income, writing and selling ebooks with “Write and Sell an eBook: Every Writer’s Quick-Action Guide To Writing Ebooks”..

Got writer’s block? If you’re writing a book, you’re almost guaranteed to get writer’s block at some stage. This shouldn’t slow you down, it’s a good thing, believe it or not.

There are many reasons you could be suffering from writer’s block, but knowing why you are isn’t as important as moving forward with your book.

The five-step process I’ve described for you below will help you to get over writer’s block. On the other hand, if you’re planning a book, it will get you started without procrastinating.

1. Write a Blurb First, It Keeps You on Track

Your first step is to write a blurb (a short, enticing description) of your book. Keep it under 75 words. Visit the bookstore or library to read the blurbs of books which are similar to yours. You’ll find the blurb on the back cover of a book.

2. Write Down Everything You Know About Your Topic

Your next step is to write down everything you know about your book’s topic. If you’re writing a novel, write down the story.

Write as quickly as you can, without taking your fingers from the keyboard.

This may take you many hours. Keep going. This engages both your conscious and subconscious mind in the project, so that your subconscious mind keeps “working” on the book for you.

3. Have Fun! Get Engaged and Excited

Are you having fun? If you’re not, your lack of enthusiasm will come through in your words. Get in touch with your original enthusiasm for the book, and remember why you want to write a book. See your book on bookstore shelves.

4. Blog Your Book — Build a Readership (Platform)

Every writer needs to market his book. A publisher will not do it for you — you’re responsible for sales of your book. In fact, the publisher will want to know what your plans are for marketing the book before you’re offered a contract.

The easiest way to market your book is a blog, so create a blog as soon as possible.

5. Get a Mentor

Your final step is to get a mentor for your book. Writing and publishing a book is a long process. You need instruction, guidance and inspiration from someone who’s done it, and who can guide you through it.

So there you have it — five steps to help you to write your book without writer’s block.

Recession-proof your freelance writing career

“Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” gives you all the tools you need for a thriving writing career, no matter what the economic climate.

Three weeks after completing the class one student wrote:

“Thanks Angela, for all your help and advice in class. I’m quitting my job next week. I printed out my letter of resignation tonight after landing a contract writing job that will pay me more for three months part-time work than I earned in from my day job in the whole of 2007! You were right – the great gigs are out there, and now I’ve got the skills to land them. Your class opened my eyes. Bless you…”

“Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” shows you how to thrive as a freelance writer. Would you like to write five times more than you’re writing now, and sell to higher-paying markets? Take the class.

Want a fast and easy way of writing a book? Here is a method which works, in only three steps.

If you’ve been procrastinating on writing a book this method will let you work through the book step-by-step. Please follow all three steps. This method works on any kind of book whether it’s non-fiction or a novel.

1. Write a Blurb

Your first step is to write a blurb. The blurb is actually a description of the book as you’d find on the back of books in the bookstore. A blurb can be anywhere from a hundred words to 300 words long. However the shorter your blurb is the better.

If you’re writing a non-fiction book, your blurb should include the primary benefit to the reader. There has to be a clear payoff for the reader, otherwise he won’t buy your book.

If you’re writing a novel, then you must pack as much excitement into your blurb as you can.

2. Create a Fast Outline

Many writers get stuck on writing outlines.

Forget about what you learned about outlines in English class — write a list. A list is all the outline you need. You’ll find that you change your outline as you work through the book, so there’s no point becoming caught up in getting your outline “perfect.”

3. Start Writing in the Form of Articles

Your final step is to write your book in the form of articles. You’ll find that as you keep writing articles (which are the chapters in your book) ideas for further chapters will occur to you.

Reread what you wrote in your blurb. Your book must fulfill the promise that you made in the blurb. Think of your blurb as the map of your book.

If you are writing a non-fiction book, then keep rereading the chapters that you’ve written, and making notes on your writing. But don’t stop writing. Finish a first draft of the book before you start any form of revision.

If you’re writing a novel, then the temptation to revise as you write can be almost impossible to resist, however you must resist it.

Don’t stop to revise at any point. Make notes on what you want to change and things you want to include in your revision but just keep writing your first draft until it’s complete.

New writers stop writing a novel in order to revise early chapters. Invariably, they lose their momentum and inspiration, and soon stop writing altogether. You can fix anything that needs to be fixed in your next draft.

This method of writing a book works well. I commend it to you. Start writing!

Write more – become a pro writer

Yes, you can write more and become an expert writer – even if you’re a world-class procrastinator.

Did you know that when you write more, your writing improves? Many of my writing students experience this. They find that when they write more, writing is easier for them – they’re not dominated by their inner editor.

My new writing class, “Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process” is based on lessons I developed for my private coaching students to help them to write more, improve their writing, and make more money writing.

If you’re struggling with your writing, the class will help. The techniques you’ll learn in class with help you write fiction, nonfiction, and copy for business.

Discover how you can write more, improve your writing, and sell more of your writing to higher-paying markets.