I owe the completion and success of my book to a big cardboard box that saw me through the entire process. I found this box and filled it with any and all information I could find on my topic ‘advanced presentation skills for speakers and business presenters.’ I printed out articles I had written, listened to tapes and read every single book on presentation skills that has ever been published. I have a huge library filled with these books, which are a great thing to have. I took notes and pulled out the best information from each text, finding a way to work it into my own. This is not plagiarism. Some information is too important not to use, so you reword it and use it as substantial background information, giving credit in your bibliography.

When my box was full, I had a huge mess of papers filled with quotes on speaking, great techniques I had jotted down at other presentations, and even cartoons. I grabbed a pile of manila folders and slowly sorted through the rubble, putting items of similar interest together. At the end of the day, I had about 14 folders that represented my book chapters. I hadn’t written a word, but I was organized.

I told myself I would write as much of my book as I could by myself and I did. When I had done all I could, I hired an editor who worked word magic and made my book a grammatical success. Then I designed the cover, well, designed is the wrong word. I brainstormed, came up with an idea, and then bartered presentation skills training to get it done. Lastly, I hired a professional copywriter who wrote something up for the back cover, and that is how my book came to be.

Another benefit of having a book is that you can sell those blank pages that make up dead space in the back of your book. I sold and traded this ad space, putting some of the money I spent back in my pocket.