Use Social Pressure to Finish Your Proposal

Do you procrastinate when it comes to creating a book proposal? You aren’t alone and it is common among writers. I’ve written a number of proposals and know the hard work which goes into each one. Two of my proposals received traditional publishing contracts with six-figure advances. The potential rewards from creating a book proposal are great—provided you finish it and locate the right editor or literary agent.

            Many writers dream of writing a book. They have partial proposals and sample chapters but have never completed the proposal—much less shown it to an editor or agent. If you are one of these writers, I suggest you use social pressure to complete your book proposal. If you have 300 Facebook friends and write, “This year (or this month or this week), I’m going to finish my book proposal.” You’ve not given many specifics but you have been public about your goal. This social pressure will motivate you to take the next step—finish the proposal. Some of your friends will even call or email you and ask about your progress.

            Break the task into small pieces and create a list of steps, as you write each one, then cross them off. Create an achievable goal such as 500 words a day (two pages). Your consistent effort to get the proposal written and in top form will pay off.  Keep moving forward on the project and bit by bit it will get finished.

Years ago I interviewed bestselling novelist Bodie Thoene who has won multiple ECPA Gold Medallion Awards in the Christian fiction category. Bodie sits at her computer hitting the keys with two fingers. She may work until 10 p.m. to reach her goal–at least five finished pages. “No little elves come out of my closet to write 650 manuscript pages,” Bodie says. “Some mornings I don’t feel like writing, but I do it out of obedience to God.”

            “The opening scenes are always the hardest and can take as long as 10 or 20 pages,” Bodie explains. With the opening pages behind her, the writing accelerates until she often completes 20 or more pages a day. While you and I may not be able to write as many pages a day, we can write 500 words or two pages a day. If you do this day after day (consistency again), then you will get it done.

            Also tell your writing goal to an accountability partner of a friend or your spouse. If you miss a day or two or even a week, don’t beat yourself up. Instead return to writing and keep making progress. This year can be your year when you complete your book proposal and your book. With consistent and steady action, you can do it.

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including 10 Publishing Myths, Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. He answers to your proposal questions at: www.AskAboutProposals.com. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.