J.C. Janson

Tag: books

  • How I Wrote My First Book in 45 Days

    When people ask me how long it took to write my first book, the honest answer is… a lot longer than 45 days.

    For a long time, I was stuck in the thinking about writing a book phase.

    You know the phase.


    The one where you:

    • Come up with ideas
    • Open a document
    • Write a paragraph
    • Reread it 12 times
    • Decide it’s terrible
    • Close the document
    • Repeat the cycle a week later

    I spent months in that loop.

    Not because I didn’t have ideas. Actually, it was the opposite… I had too many ideas and overthought everything. I wanted the book to be perfect before it even existed.

    Eventually, I realized something important:

    A book can’t improve if it doesn’t exist yet.

    So I stopped overthinking and finally committed to just writing. And once I actually started…
    I finished the entire book in about 45 days.

    The Moment Things Finally Clicked

    The biggest shift wasn’t a magical productivity trick.

    It was simply deciding that the first version didn’t have to be perfect.

    I stopped editing every sentence while writing it.
    I stopped worrying about whether people would like it.
    I stopped trying to sound like a “real author.”

    Instead, I focused on getting the ideas out of my head and onto the page.

    Once that happened, the writing started flowing much faster than I expected.

    The Truth About Writing a Book

    Writing a book isn’t necessarily about talent.

    It’s mostly about discipline and consistency.

    There were days I didn’t feel inspired.
    Days I didn’t feel like writing at all.

    But I kept showing up anyway.

    Some days I wrote a lot.
    Some days I wrote very little.

    But progress is progress.

    And the amazing thing about writing a book is this:

    Once it’s finished… it’s finished.

    You now have something that didn’t exist before. Something you created from nothing.

    That feeling alone makes the work worth it.

    Tips That Helped Me Finish My Book

    1. Stop editing while you write

    Editing while writing is one of the fastest ways to get stuck.

    Your first draft is supposed to be messy.
    Let it be messy.

    You can always improve it later.

    2. Write even when you don’t feel like it

    Motivation is unreliable.

    If you only write when you feel inspired, your book will take forever.

    Instead, treat writing like an appointment with yourself.

    Show up. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes.

    3. Don’t try to write the whole book at once

    Thinking about writing an entire book can feel overwhelming.

    Instead, focus on one section at a time.

    One page turns into ten pages.
    Ten pages turn into chapters.
    Chapters turn into a finished book.

    4. Accept that the first version won’t be perfect

    No one writes a perfect first draft.

    Not beginners.
    Not experienced authors.
    Not bestselling writers.

    The goal of the first draft is simply to exist.

    You can always make it better later.

    The Biggest Lesson I Learned

    The hardest part of writing a book isn’t the writing itself.

    It’s getting out of your own way.

    Overthinking, perfectionism, and self-doubt can keep people stuck for years.

    But once you finally start and commit to finishing, the process becomes much more manageable.

    And before you know it, you’ll look up and realize something pretty incredible:

    You wrote a book.

    If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, consider this your sign to start.

    You don’t have to be perfect.
    You just have to begin.

    FREE GUIDE

  • 8 Mistakes First-Time Authors Make (And How to Avoid Them)

    Writing your first book is exciting… but it can also feel overwhelming. Many new authors start their journey with passion and big ideas, only to get stuck along the way. If you’re thinking about writing your first book, here are 8 common mistakes first-time authors make and how you can avoid them.

    1. Waiting for the perfect idea

    Many people spend months (or years) trying to come up with the perfect book idea before they even start writing. The truth is, your first book doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be written. Start with an idea you’re interested in and allow it to evolve as you write.

    2. Overthinking everything

    New writers often get stuck trying to make every sentence perfect. This slows down the writing process and makes finishing a book harder. Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to exist. Focus on getting the words on the page first.

    3. Editing while you write

    Editing while writing is one of the fastest ways to lose momentum. Instead of moving forward, you keep going back and fixing earlier sections. A better approach is to write the entire draft first, then edit once the book is finished.

    4. Trying to write too much

    Some new authors try to write a massive 300-page book for their first project. That’s a lot of pressure. Many successful self-published authors start with shorter books or focused guides. Finishing a smaller book builds confidence and experience.

    The truth is, most beginner writers make the same mistakes… and the good news is that they’re completely avoidable.

    5. Not creating an outline

    Jumping into a book without a plan can quickly lead to writers block. Even a simple outline can make writing much easier.

    For Example: Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Conclusion

    A basic structure keeps you moving forward.

    6. Comparing yourself to other authors

    It’s easy to look at successful authors and feel like you’re not good enough. But every author started somewhere. Your first book is part of your learning process.

    7. Waiting for motivation

    Motivation comes and goes. Successful writers build simple habits instead of relying on motivation. Writing even 300-500 words a day can lead to a finished book faster than you think.

    8. Thinking you need to be an expert

    Many people believe they need to know everything about a topic before writing a book. But readers often appreciate books written by people who are learning, exploring, and sharing their experiences. Your perspective matters.

    Writing your first book can feel intimidating, but it’s completely possible, even if you’ve never written one before.

    Every published author started with a blank page. The key is to start writing, keep going, and finish what you begin.

    Want To Write and Publish Your Own Book?

    My beginner self-publishing course walks you step-by-step through writing, formatting, and publishing your first book.

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