Process of Writing

For any author—whether writing fiction or non-fiction—research is usually a crucial part of the process in creating a book. Once you've done the research, there's the need to store and access the information you've found. Research is pointless if you can't access the material you have accumulated.

This note looks at my research and information gathering process from end-to-end as an integrated flow of information. In particular, it focuses on the processes and tools I use to find, review, store, and retrieve information.

Technology has given us many different ways to broadcast our messages. Not only do these new options allow us to get published (in various forms) at virtually zero cost, but there is also the opportunity to combine words, images (including color and moving images), and audio. So why are people still using 16th century approaches? More to the point, why are you writing a book, and do you really have to write a book?

I mean really? Really, really, really?

What is the compelling need you feel to write a book? What is it about the nature of what you are writing that means that you can only get your message out there in a long, printed document?

I’m sure that when you talk to your friends and family about your current book in progress that they will tell you that you’re an artist/genius (or both) and that the book world should regard itself as being privileged to even have the opportunity to consider publishing and selling your book.

While it’s always good to have a strong support network, this sort of praise doesn’t help keep you focused on what you should be doing—writing a commercially viable book that an audience wants to read. Indeed, this praise can actually do damage: if you’re being told that what you’re creating is great, then you’re going to be far less inclined to make the improvements that are necessary in order to produce a great book.

So get over yourself, cut out the distractions, and start the hard work of producing a good book.