When I was a teenager and even as a young adult, I had absolutely ZERO interest in anything that had to do with reading and writing. It did not go without creating conflicts, at home and in school. My mum was a French teacher, so you can imagine…

I simply did not read at all, and by that I mean, did not read books. NONE, whatsoever.

I remember a time in high school where I needed to complete a writing assignment about a specific chapter of a book we were working on; I was 17. I had obviously not read the book, but the timing was perfect: my mum had recently come back from a once-a-year book show in Paris and she had just what I needed. An analysis of that book. To make a long story short, I simply copied what she had and voila, I turned my assignment in!

I will never forget the face of the teacher a week later when she spoke to the class about how she graded our work. Here’s what she said: "For the most part you all did well with the assignment, except one who dared to copy and paste his version of it from a recently published teacher’s book I just so happen to have."

You can imagine my face.

So WHY am I telling you this story?

Simply because I always felt that writing was difficult.  On top of that, English isn’t my first language, I started learning it when I was in junior high.

I know many online creators feel that way too. And there are definitely challenges associated with writing an ebook, but the good news is that there are also solutions.

We often feel like it requires good writing skills. And for the most part it does, however, what matters the most is being able to get the point across, to transfer our knowledge, to get the readers to a point where they feel like they’ve learned something. The ebook is simply a tool to help them solve a problem, a burning problem.

Do we need to be able to write clearly, concisely, and in a way that engages our readers?

Yes, definitely, and even as non-writers, they are tips and tools we can use today to accomplish decent results.

First, let's look at some of the most common writing difficulties authors and non-writers face when writing an ebook:

Writer's block: Writer's block is a common challenge for many writers, and it can be especially frustrating when writing an ebook. When you're stuck and can't seem to move forward with your writing, it can be difficult to make progress.

Maintaining focus: It can be challenging to maintain focus when writing an ebook, especially if you have other responsibilities or distractions in your life. It's important to establish a writing routine and set aside time to focus on your writing.

Developing an effective writing style: Developing an effective writing style that engages your readers can be a challenge. You need to be able to write in a way that is clear, concise, and compelling, and that resonates with your target audience.

Staying motivated: Writing an ebook can be a long and sometimes challenging process. It's important to stay motivated and focused on your goals to see your project through to completion.

Overcoming self-doubt: Self-doubt can be a major barrier to writing an ebook. It's important to believe in yourself and your abilities as a writer, and to have confidence in your ideas and your message.

Ensuring accuracy and credibility: When writing an ebook, it's important to ensure that your information is accurate and credible. This requires careful research and fact-checking to avoid errors and misinformation.

Editing and revising: Editing and revising your work can be a time-consuming process, but it's essential to ensure that your ebook is of high quality and free of errors. This requires a critical eye and attention to detail.

Overall, writing an ebook requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to tackle the challenges that come with the writing process. By staying focused, motivated, and committed to your goals, you can overcome these difficulties and create a successful ebook that resonates with your audience.

5 tips to overcome writing difficulties when creating an ebook

If you're experiencing writing difficulties when creating an ebook, there are several tips you can try to overcome them.

Set realistic goals: Break your writing down into manageable chunks and set realistic goals for each writing session. This can help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed and make steady progress towards your final goal. Remember that "Realistic" is part of the S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

• Example: For this post, my realistic goal was to simply address writing difficulties and come up with 5 tips.

Create an outline: Create an outline for your ebook to help you stay organized and focused. This can also serve as a roadmap for your writing, making it easier to develop your ideas and structure your content.

• Example: My outline for this post was:
  • Hook (the subject line)
  • Story (I wanted to open the post with a relatable story to show that writing wasn’t easy for me either)
  • Some of the most common difficulties (the problems with writing especially as a non-writer)
  • 5 tips to overcome those difficulties (the solution to the problem)
  • CTA (a call-to-action to engage with you, the reader).

Take breaks: Taking regular breaks can help you to stay refreshed and focused. Set a timer for 25-30 minutes of writing, then take a five-minute break. This can help you to avoid burnout and maintain your energy and focus.

• Example: I usually write in stages. For this post, I decided and worked on the topic one day, then refined the title the next day, took a break and then wrote the content.

Get feedback: Getting feedback from other writers, editors, or beta readers can help you to improve your writing and overcome any difficulties you're experiencing. You can join writing groups, hire a writing coach or mentor, or ask friends or family members for feedback.

• Example: before I published this post, I sent it to a copywriter I work with for her to review.

Embrace imperfection: Remember that no first draft is perfect. Allow yourself to write without self-judgment and embrace the imperfections in your writing. You can always revise and improve your work later.

• Example: this very post you’re reading. Could it be better? Most likely yes. Is it good enough? Yes. Will I circle back to it at a later date? Maybe.

By trying these tips, you can overcome writing difficulties and make steady progress towards completing your ebook and making it amazing. Be patient and persistent, and don't give up on your writing goals. Get help when needed.

Remember the outline I mentioned earlier?

I always like to end my copy with a call-to-action. I do that for ebooks and also for all of my posts. And I lead by example, I do what I teach.

So I’m going to ask you to leave a comment below, tell me what difficulties you’re having with writing that I may or may not have covered.