Tom Comitta

Write a novel in one night. I’m serious. Take three hours. Take five. Whatever time you have. Open a Word document and change the page size to 6 x 9. Figure out a way to fill 200 pages in one night. Copy and paste from websites, from Project Gutenberg. Play the computer keyboard like a piano. Increase the text size if you have to. Just stick to the 200-page goal and use your intuition. Think quantity, not quality.  Once you’ve filled the pages, design the cover. Don’t forget to put your name on it. Then publish it on a print-on-demand site before you go to bed. Order a copy.

As of that night you will be a published writer—no waiting necessary. You’ve written a full book, published it, and learned something about writing, design (which more writers should know about), and what it feels like to finish a book. When the book arrives, give it a look. Smell the pages. Hold it in your hands. How does it feel? What has this process taught you about books, writing, design, publishing? Is this book actually a novel? Is it any good? What is “good”? Now get to work on your next book. Tom Comitta