In Productivity, Writer's Block
Stenographers

Stenographers by michal_hadassah

You may know that, as my challenge for this year’s Contentpalooza, I’ve been working on a new ebook called The Complete Flake’s Guide to Getting Sh*t Done (GSD). And of course, being a typical flake, I am bogged down in the details.

I have over 20,000 words written, dictated, transcribed, pasted, and compiled from past blog posts. There’s lots of good stuff in there, and more to come, but putting it all in comprehensible order is a tad overwhelming.

So I’ve been dallying, not wanting to face the hard work of organizing and writing a truly helpful book. I asked my good friend and all-around genius, Colin Beveridge, for advice:

How do I make myself do the work?

Being extra-smart, he asked the obvious:

“What has worked before?”

Um, people waiting for my stuff. And deadlines – REAL deadlines with penalties for not meeting them.

“What kind of penalties?”

Disappointing the people who are waiting. It worked great for Green Card – forced me to write a chapter (almost) every week. I’d never have finished without that mailing list of people who were waiting for the next chapter.

“Why not get some beta readers, then?”

Duh. That’s what geniuses are for, to spot the obvious and speak up.

So here’s the question: Will you be my beta reader?

You will receive an email every day during the month of November with the latest installment (a short page or two at most). My goal is to finish the first draft by the end of the month, revise during December and have the final version up for sale on Kindle by New Year’s Day.

And as thanks for your help, I will send you the completed PDF version at the end of December.

Come be part of my team of beta readers!


p.s. No worries, no spam.

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Showing 2 comments
  • Russell-34
    Reply

    Boy, could I see myself in your words!  I have to admit that I, too, am a “flake”.  and if it isn’t a matter of life or death, there is always “tomorrow”.  I once read of an journalist in southern Minnesota who wrote in the Mpls. paper: “I don’t trust any woman who would rather do housework than read a good book”.  She was my kind of woman.  I am looking forward to reading the rest of your story.  I don’t care to be a beta reader because I don’t feel qualified.  Good luck and am looking forward to some good reading!

  • LaVonne Ellis
    Reply

    No qualifications needed, Russell. I just like to have actual readers as I go to keep my feet to the fire. Otherwise, I’d never finish the durn thing.

    Thanks for visiting and commenting!

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