Part 2 of a  3-part series on Do Something! Write About It! Sell It!

Part Two

In January's CIPA Signature I covered the *Do Something aspect of writing/selling your own book/s. My message? ONLY, ONLY, ONLY write about something you've earned the right to write about. Remember it's your OWN experiences that give you the expertise and passion for the subject that will make your book a BEST seller.

Now that you've identified YOUR subject, what's the best way to get your ideas and story down? Here are some ideas: 1) Write your story/book longhand, 2) type it on a typewriter, 3) use your computer's word processing program, 4) speak it into a tape recorder, or 5) use the latest voice recognition program. Which is the BEST way . . .

Sitting by the pool in her bathing suit, Kim had brought with her a spiral notebook and pencil. Between dips in the pool she would go back to her notebook and continue writing. I asked her, "What are you doing?" "I'm writing my book . . . my life's story."  When I asked her why she wasn't using a typewriter, she told me that she was always more creative when she wrote longhand.  It works for Kim. Could it work for you?

What's your BEST way to write?

"Typing" was a two-year class for me in high school. I love typing. So why don't I use the typewriter (or computer) to write my books today? Too many pauses to think and then type and then think and then type some more.

I've found the best way for ME to write a book is to SPEAK. That's right, SPEAK! Nearly ten years ago I was conducting an all-day seminar on "How to Get the Job You REALLY Want and Get Employers to Call You." Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to have a tape recorder with me.  I asked my friend Dana if she would simply turn the recorder on and then turn over the tape every 30 minutes.  When the day was over I had six one-hour tapes.  Live material with me PLUS audience interaction.

I carried those tapes around for nearly two years before asking another friend if she would transcribe them. WOW! Next I knew I had a manuscript (or at least a rough draft ).  With a bit of polishing, and working with a good editor, my book was born.

The latest way to Write and Grow Rich, says Dan Poynter, is to use speech recognition to dictate your how-to book (or others). The book is only $14.95 and will walk you through the process he uses to write his books. Here is an excerpt: Dictating to your computer. Now you can bypass keyboarding and dictate directly into your computer with speech-recognition software. Just speak into the microphone, giving punctuation and formatting commands as you go. Programs to consider:

Dragon Systems at: http://www.dragonsys.com

IBM at: http://www.ibm.com/viavoice

Software and microphone prices range from $59 to $695, so shop and compare. Plus make sure that the product you choose is compatible with your pc or Macintosh.

These two programs, Speaking Naturally and ViaVoice, can be learned or, better still, you can train your computer to recognize your voice in one to two hours.

Seems like I'm taking away all the excuses for NOT writing, aren't I? Why wait? You've identified your PERFECT subject to write about. Now you've chosen the IDEAL way (for you) to write your book. What's left? Oh, yes. SELL IT! And that's the title of Part III, is on the next page.

Do Something, Write About It, Sell It! The quick and easy way to write/publish and sell your book/s.  This formula has provided me with a full-time income for the past ten years. My wish is that these ideas serve you well, also.

Go to Part Three to discover tips and techniques that will help you write effortlessly.

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