Get Your Book Done by Patti Larsen

Get Your Book Done

Guest Post by Patti Larsen

I love writing books. It’s my absolute passion. I’ve dabbled in short stories, have fun with screen and teleplays, even do a little song writing on occasion. But there is nothing, nothing like creating a full-length novel. 

With my background in journalism and independent filmmaking, when I dove into writing books again after a decade’s hiatus, I realized I had some really fabulous tools at my disposal. The experience I’d gained in all of those genres had coalesced into a method I now use to teach other writers. Not how to write, per se. That in itself is a life long obsession. We always strive to be better, do better, write better. But when it comes to understanding the structure of books, how stories go together, the nitty-gritty of the process outside stringing words together, I had an ah-ha moment. 

Not everyone writes like I do. I know there are those who love to just dive into an idea without a path or a plan. And that’s fantastic, if it works. But more often than not, as I share my method with more and more people, I learn that those who think being organized and structured is crippling to their creativity are the ones who get stuck and never finish. 

Again, I know it’s not everyone. But there are enough writers out there who run into roadblocks that I chose to start sharing my process in my Get Your Book Done program.

It’s not a hard process. But it does involve organization, plotting, having a goal. Knowing the ending, the middle, the beginning. Think of it this way: you have a project for work. You pitch the basic idea to your boss who loves it and sets you loose. You have no idea where to go with it, no end goal, no place to really start, but you’re expected to finish it and do it well. Your initial enthusiasm drives you forward, but when you start running into road blocks, gaps in knowledge, realize the path you’re on isn’t working, you’ve reached a point where you are so frustrated and stressed you have to tell your boss you can’t do it after all. 

Now, think about it this way: You have a goal in mind, a fantastic end result, with a few ideas of how you might structure it. Your boss gives you the go ahead. You carefully develop the path of the project, figure out the best ways to implement it, who to talk to, gather all the information you need first, then dive in and go for it. You’re in a much more confident and comfortable process. And while you still might encounter bumps, they’ll be easy to clear or integrate. Not only will you complete the project in record time, you’ll feel fantastic about your work and earn the respect of your boss.

If you want to get from A to B in the fastest and easiest possible time, you need a map showing your start point, path and end point. Is it less creative? I say no. I have so much fun developing my books, have all my edits done before I even start the writing, when I do sit down to let it out, it flows naturally and happily, without stress or pressure. 

So how about you? Have you always wanted to write a book? I hear it so often it amazes me. And makes me very happy. That being said, would you like to not only write your book, but finish it? 

Trust me, the latter is so much more rewarding. 

About the Author: 

Patti Larsen has a serious passion for YA paranormal and thrillers. Now with multiple series in happy publication, she lives on the East Coast of Canada with her patient husband and four massive cats.

Patti is the author of 15 novels, with more on the way.

You can find Patti on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.