How to get started writing a book ⏱ 2 mins

October 11, 2021

Want to increase your profile and bank balance by writing a book? Here are some tips on getting started from the author of three Amazon bestsellers.

When he isn’t coaching Broadway stars, training singing teachers or podcasting, John Henny writes books.

He’s published three so far: Voice Teacher Influencer, Teaching Contemporary Singing and Beginning Singing.

Finding the time to write when he’s spinning so many plates isn’t easy so John uses a simple technique to keep his word count flowing – and it’s got to do with tomatoes (yes, really).

The Pomodoro Technique

Have you ever seen one of those dinky kitchen timers shaped like a tomato?

This domestic gadget inspired the Pomodoro Technique, which John uses to maintain momentum with his writing.

“Every morning, I set a timer for 25 minutes,” John tells the Singing Teachers Talk podcast. “For those 25 minutes, I turn off my phone and all my alerts and just write.

“When the timer dings, I take a five-minute break and then I do another 25 minutes – and that’s it. I’m done [with writing] for the day.”

John incorporated this routine into his working day when writing each of his books – with great success. All three tomes have been Number One bestsellers on Amazon.

Coming up with the ‘big idea’

John has this advice if you’re keen to publish a book, but you don’t know what to write about.

“Find your audience,” he says. “Who is it that you want to work with? Who do you want to attract? Start answering their questions and start solving their problems.”

And turn down the volume on your inner critic. Social media is awash with keyboard warriors ready to pounce on anyone who puts themselves out there. Don’t let them win.

“I can go on my YouTube channel and show you some of the comments; I’m not everyone’s cup of tea,” says John.

“And you’re not going to be for everyone. But there will be people who want to learn from you – your energy, the way you talk.”