I love that title and subject more and more … but that means that my outline and the chapters I have already dictated are not right on point. Yes, the information will get used, but if I am going to concentrate on expert solo-preneur home businesses, there is a bunch of stuff that I can leave out … and stuff that needs to expand.

So tomorrow during my book working session, I’m going to work on a new version of my outline – using the Post It Note method – and see if I can get myself back on track. Wish me luck!

How to Launch an Expertpreneur Business:
The Finance, Law, and Business Strategy for Starting a Six Figure Home Business Using What You Already Know

What do you think? I’m sort-of inventing a new word, “Expertpreneur” – to see more about that, check out my new Squidoo page on the same subject as my book, at http://www.squidoo.com/expertpreneur

I also have begun assembling my chapters and other book information into a “mock-up” of my book. It’s very motivating to have your book start to look “real” – and more fun to carry around!

Today (Friday) I am cleaning house, running errands, and doing yardwork, to get things read for a little get-together at our house tonight. The only work I’m doing today is checking email.

So when I found my 1:00 PM work-on-book appointment on my calendar, my first thought was to skip it. I got a lot done on the book this week (dictated chapter three yesterday!), so what’s the harm in skipping today? I have a lot of other stuff on my to-do list.

But would I skip a doctor’s appointment to tidy my living room?

Would I be late for a haircut so I could weed the garden?

Why would I honor those appointments with people who barely know me, more than appointments with myself?

So, here I am at 1:00 PM on Friday, working on my book. Not writing (or dictating), but working on getting the transcription done of the first three chapters (with a contractor from www.elance.com), writing this blog entry, and working on the draft of my the back cover (one of this week’s assignments for Christine’s GYBD program).

In just an hour I’m taking nothing away from having a guest-ready house, but gaining progress towards my book and integrity with myself.

Yay for me! 

Squidoo is based on the concept that everyone is an expert is something, and if the expert was to create a webpage containing all of what you need to do about XYZ niche, it would be much more efficient than trying to search on the web or research the issue yourself. These webpages are called Lens — the idea is that it is bringing a particular question or problem into greater focus.

The cool thing is that it is super easy to create a Lens (no html needed, unless you want to) and use that as a place to give your opinion, display your research, practice writing, or promote your product/service/book.

Here are my current Lenses … and while you are there, don’t forget to click on the stars at the top to rank each Lens. Thanks!

6 Simple Secrets to Get Out of Debt and Stay Out Lens: http://www.squidoo.com/getoutofdebtsecrets

How to Avoid Business Owners Top 10 Money Mistakes Lens:
http://www.squidoo.com/bizmoneymistakes

Who is Elizabeth Potts Weinstein? Lens
http://www.squidoo.com/elizabethpottsweinstein

How to Enjoy Plane Travel with Your Toddler
http://www.squidoo.com/toddlertravel

How it works around here is that I am “on call” for a week.  If they call me in, then I go in to serve on a jury.  If they don’t need me, I check each day for a week, and then after a week, I’m released.

So, I did not plan any appointments, classes, or projects for this week.

Amazing what I can get done with no interruptions!  I got all my projects for the week done by Monday afternoon.

So, I was able to move onto new projects.  One of them being the next chapter of my book.

Chapter Two is about Taking an Inventory, in preparation for opening a new business.  Specifically, it’s about Taking an Inventory of Your Systems.  Looking at the environment, technology, procedures, time, and money that you already have in place, to support you in your business.

This chapter only took me about 20 minutes to record, so a shorter chapter than Chapter One.  But, that’s okay, because I have a ton of ideas for breakout sections (stories, notes from me, quotes) that will fill out the chapter.

Even if I do just one chapter a week, I’ll have a first draft by mid July.  And, if I do two chapters a week, that’s mid June!

eBooks are great, because once you write and edit the book, all you have to do is save it as a pdf, write the sales and thank you pages, and you are ready to start selling your new book. Not only is it quick & easy, it’s also a great way to practice writing and promoting a book.

But then I realized … I’m not on time for appointments with myself. I have scheduled in my calendar to work on my book on Fridays started in a 1:00 PM. But, I typically do not get started until 1:30, 2:00, or even 3:00 PM!

Would I ever be 2 hours late for an appointment? So why am I doing that to myself?!

I’ve been working on my outline for a few months, and then took a break to work on foundational stuff in the GYBD program. Such as … deciding on the up-sells from my book (what people will by next from me), working on the back cover (what 5 things will you learn from me in this book), and the book title (see previous post).

As I described in earlier posts, I’ve decided to “talk” my book instead of “write” my book. What that means, is that the first drafts will be dictated by me, similar to me giving a presentation or speech about that topic, and recording it. Except I’m doing it by myself in my office.

A 200 page book is about 5 hours of talking. That means each part of a my 4 part book is 1 1/4 hrs, each chapter is 34 minutes, each subsection is 8 minutes, and each point is 1 1/2 minutes. And I can definitely think of points to talk about for 1 1/2 minutes each.

Even though I’m only 1/2 way through my outline, I decided to go ahead and record chapter one. I was worried … what if each chapter is too long, too short, not enough points?

I recorded chapter one … and it was 34 minutes. Almost exactly.

I get that transcribed and there we are … first draft well on its way!

I’ve been working in Christine’s Get Your Book Done program (see previous posts) on the foundations, marketing, and research of my book for the last few weeks. But I’m totally stuck about the title of my book.

I want a title that’s memorable and usable for other projects … like “The E-Myth” or “7 Steps of Highly Effective People” … but that is targeted to women, like “Minding Her Business” a book about business records for women-owned businesses.

Why is that important right now? Besides being more motivating and fun to talk about (instead of I’m writing a book, I’m writing the book XYZ), the title will help clarify the theme and message of my book, and help me tie it all together.

I’ll keep you posted.