So last week I started writing my first novel.
What’s it about?
Zombies, of course.
(Everyone else has a zombie story, why not me?)
Anyway, so far it’s been a lot of fun.
And, yes, it helps that I’m completely comfortable with writing for long periods of time due to years of banging out thousands of pages of writing — including multiple daily emails, sales copy (for both myself and clients back when I did client work), books and info product content, articles, a monthly print newsletter, and the list goes on.
The inner game of email marketing has been invaluable, too.
Like, for example:
- Writing to entertain myself first
- Not getting bogged down writing bloated descriptions (which I find boring) or trying to impress anyone with words 99% of the US population can’t even pronounce anyway
- Using a treadmill desk to boost my creativity, and gives me more energy to write for longer without fatigue or brain fog
- Writing drunk, and editing sober
I best ‘splain this last part…
I’m not talking *literally* drunk here.
(Although I do drink 2-3 glasses of fine wine while writing this book — being Irish and a writer, I’m finally starting to see what all the fuss is about…)
I’m talking ZERO inhibitions when writing.
Get as obnoxious as you want.
As crude as you want.
And, yes, as disturbing as you want.
For example, I just wrote a scene where a cop turned into a zombie and ate his two 9 year old twin daughters — which was totally unplanned and extremely disturbing to write.
(Have another glass of wine, Ben…)
But, that’s how it goes.
You hold no thought back.
Care not what your mush cookie facebook friends will think, or what your mom will think, or even what your preacher will think.
They don’t exist when you’re writing.
Only YOU exist.
In your own world.
And you do everything at your pleasure.
And when it’s time to edit?
Then you sober up.
Make sure it’s what you want the public to see.
And make it appropriate for your market.
Yes, this goes for writing emails, too.
Frankly, it’s even more important.
(If you want maximum sales, at least.)
To learn my system, go to:
Ben Settle
