4 Tips to Becoming an Expert Author - Even If You're Not a Writer

Do you have a book inside you screaming to get out? Do you want to become an expert author, but you're not sure you have what it takes?

One of the main barriers potential authors face is that they think, I'm not a writer, so how could I possibly write a book?

What does it mean to be 'a writer' anyway?

Most of us have an image in our heads of a what a "great writer" should be and feel that we fall short. But the truth is that what makes a great writer is the ability to communicate. It's not about perfect grammar or how you weave words together. (That's your editor's job!) It's how you take what's in your mind and transfer it to a tangible medium, and this is something anyone can do if they're willing to do the work.

Of course, it does help if you can write well. If you have experience writing and you're good at crafting prose, writing your expert book will be much easier. But there are other key factors that are more important.

Commit to Getting to the Finish Line

To write an expert book, you need to commit and stay with it. Even if you have wonderful ideas and can write like nobody's business, the book will never get done if you don't have a strong will to finish it and put into place some good writing habits. You need to be passionate and enthusiastic about getting to the finish line, and you need to write regularly and make progress weekly, if not daily.

Choose a Topic You Know Well

Your expertise is going to be the major selling point of your non-fiction book, not how you craft your sentences. You should know your topic well. In fact, I feel that if you are called to write a book, that it's an expression of your life purpose, so what you're sharing with your audience is valuable and helpful, and even inspirational. When a reader can use what you write, she's not worried about how you dotted your I's and crossed your T's. 

However, readers do notice when there is an excessive number of errors, or the sentence structure and grammar is so bad it's not a pleasure to read. Again, this is why you hire an editor. Often, writers don't know what they don't know, and an editor will tell you when something is 'off' or needs clarity, and this will improve your writing.

Draw on Your Own Story

Beyond what you know about your topic, your own experience and story is largely what will set your book apart from other similar titles available. Through your work, you've learned things most people don't know. This provides further value.

For example, you might decide to write a book about how to get rid of clutter and simplify your life. You've researched the topic and you have an outline full of good ideas. As you write, you'll also share your own experiences and what you've learned yourself. This makes your book more than just a collection of researched facts and shows your reader the results you've gotten using the tips you're sharing.

I mean, if it's not a topic you are knowledgable and enthusiastic about, why even write a book? 

Follow a Process 

Finally, to write your expert book you need a system or process for getting to the finish line without taking years to get there. You need to structure your book well and make sure the content keeps your promise to the reader. 

A good editor will keep you on track to keep your promise to the reader, in addition to making your book a joy to read - and providing you with the peace of mind that you will publish a well-written book!

Want to learn more about how you can get started writing your book? Download my free resource, 5 Steps to Becoming a Published Author in 20 Minutes a Day. Just go here.

Carol Ann DeSimine is a Creative Business Coach and Book Mentor and the Founder of align.believe.create on-purpose coaching and The Goddess Way to Thrive in Business. Her signature process, Just Do It, Write Now! Start Your Movement 90-day Book Plan helps aspiring authors go 'from concept to completion' to write and publish a powerful book.