Happy Friday! Un joyeux vendredi! ¡Feliz Viernes! 快乐星期五!
I’m in the final two weeks of editing my book.
I’ll tell you one thing nobody lied about:
The last 2 miles are the hardest.
Here’s why:
1. Amateurs Make a Zillion Mistakes
The word amateur gets a bad wrap. Whether it is skateboarding, finance, law, or art, “amateur” is the stage where experts are built.
For example: One of my biggest mistakes was the fear of being identified as a “young writer.” Instead, I wrote like a man with a cane, 1950’s haircut, and a British accent. (No kidding, I even started spelling words with the “Royal U” — colour, flavour, neighbour… 🤦🏼♂️
2. Amateurs Have No Clue Who Their Audience is
Since I’ve never published a book before, I’m running into the saloon guns blazing without an idea who or what awaits. This might make for a good western, but it’s less than ideal in the real world.
Why is knowing the audience a crucial ingredient? Because I can write the best book in the world — it’s going nowhere if I only sell to Navajo Indians.
3. Amateurs Try Too Hard
My dad always taught my brothers and I that:
Hard Work = Success and Success = Fun.
I believe in the principle. But I also now know that:
Hard Work x 10 = Waste and Waste = No Fun.
I can be obsessive. Every word, syllable, and letter had to be perfect. I tried way too hard to sound profound. I thought I could do I could be perfect. But…
Perfect is a drag. No one wants Perfect. Mistakes make the world go round.
Now it’s the last two miles and Mount Mistaken is at an all-time high.
My editors and publishing team have helped me learn that making mistakes is the fastest way to develop your style.
“How am I doing?” — You tell me…