I just put the last periods on two new books I’m writing. Now comes the editing process.
I’ve noticed an interesting thing that happens when I write. I notice I drift away from my original goals. I get so lost in the flow and my thoughts, that I completely forget about what I really want to talk about,
So for so much of the editing process, I’m consulting a single sheet of information that will help keep me back on track. I have questions like:
- Who am I writing this to?
- Why does the reader need to read this book?
- What does the reader think they need that would make them read this?
- Where will this book take the reader?
By answering these questions with each section of my book, I plan to snap back my thoughts to what I’m trying to accomplish through the book.
It reminds me a bit about life. I wish I could have a paper like this I consult each day of my life to make sure I’m on track with what I’m trying to accomplish. Because I don’t know about you, but I find it very easy to drift away from my original goals with my life.
Do you experience that too?
I think even more people experience a situation where they have no idea what they’re even trying to accomplish with their lives. And it’s a tragedy, because if you don’t know where you’re going you’re never going to get there.
So my proposal for both myself and for you, is that we ask ourselves these questions. Ask them often and see if you like where you find your life going:
- Where do I want my life to go?
- How will I get there?
- Who is my life lived for? (myself, others, or God?)
