How having a print book motivated me to write more novels

Do you remember a time you finalized a challenging task, and, instead of taking a deserved rest you plunged into the next items in your in-tray? It is caused by motivation from completing a task.

Here is my first-hand experience

After many years of a break from writing, I went back to my writing desk. I have published E-books since 2016 and my first print books in June 2018. 

I got instant motivation from handling a hand copy, a paper book. 

On May 28th I ordered a proof copy of The Choices She Must Make, my first novel in Africa’s Billionaire Heirs series. On the 5th of June I ordered proofs for Book 2, Outside the Family Box.

Two print books?

The fact that I had two novels ready for print and two more in the editing stage brought an image of four novels. All printed and arranged on book shelves at readers’ homes, libraries and bookstores. What would it be like to have five, six or ten titles containing my creative ideas, and my name on the book covers?

What next?

My novels focus on heroines, strong girls and women in Africa. How they struggle through challenges to emerge victorious in a society sprinkled with billionaires who are perceived to have it all.

Do girls and women within billionaire households face any struggles?

What if I wrote a story with a female main character from a rich family? What challenges would she have? She, who can afford all the clothes and shoes?

I embarked on writing my fifth novel on the 6th of June, a day after I ordered print copies of my second novel. I was surprised that my brain did not want the break I had promised myself as I worked many hours to get the books ready for print.

Innovative writing tactic

In the past I have sat in front of a computer and typed a book to end. I would then begin to edit for story premise, character arcs, plot points, point of view, setting, language and total words, among other editing steps.

This time I tried something new. I outlined my novel, though not in any of the popularized steps. I set out to write a 65,000-word novel.

1. I divided the total words into the four plot points of a story, and into scenes per plot point. 

• 0 – 25% = 10,000 divided by 2,500 words/scene = four scenes.

• 26 – 50 % = 20,000 by 2500/scene = eight scenes

• 51 – 75 % = 20,000 by 2500/scene = eight scenes

• 76 – 90 % = 10,000 by 2,500/scene = four scenes

• 91 – 100 % = 5,000 by 2500/scene = two scenes

2. Enriching scenes

• Reflecting on each scene in relation to the theme and main conflict in the book and plot point, I developed subheadings and objective for each scene. Here I applied the basics of scene structure: objective, setting, conflict, resolution and reflection.

 3.      The writing process

• It is possible to write 5,000 words/two scenes per day – I have done it before. So, for five days each week, in thirteen days I would have a total of 65,000 words.

• Remember I am still motivated, waiting for my print book to arrive on the 19th of June, as indicated on the Amazon order form.

• From my calculations, I should have my first draft on June 23rd, tomorrow. What I have today are 38,711 impressive words, instead of the anticipated 65,000 (details in a future blog post).

 The day my print book arrived

Did you know that good news can enhance or disrupt your writing process? 

On the 12th of June, 2018, around 6:30pm I was on my way to the gym when I saw new mail in the house. I checked the envelops and stopped at a brown one with my name and Amazon logo on it. 

I opened the envelope and broke into a happy dance. I kissed the book and looked at it many times. I aired through the pages and did another dance. “I need a photo to tell the world about this.” I sent a tweet and proceed to the gym.

I have since approved my book for sale. Click here to access copies of electronic and print books. Join me on Tuesday, June 26 to discuss the book at the following media links. Click each for access. wordrefiner.com, Twitter @iGrowideas and Facebook

 Book reviews motivate authors. After you read the book, please leave a review on Amazon.com or Goodreads.com.  

 And you? What has been your experience after you accomplished a challenging or first time task? Did you do a happy dance? Did you take a deserved rest or were you motivated to proceed to the next task? Please share your comments below.