12 Lessons I Learned From Writing 12 Books in 12 Months

Hey Mini Book Masters,

It’s Mini Monday, where I’ll share something to help you in your mini book author journey.

Today I want to share the 12 Lessons I Learned From Writing 12 Books in 12 Months.

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Once you write and publish one book, a lightbulb goes off.

"I can write another one, and another one after that. More is better!"

In 2020, I made a New Year’s Resolution to write a book a month.

12 for 12—the speed writer's dream.

I hadn’t yet conceived the concept of a mini book, so it seemed like a ridiculous goal.

I started strong with 4 books in the first 4 months.

By May, I felt exhausted, burnt out. Plus, with the world in upheaval and my third child due in August, I gave up.

"I was an idiot for even setting that goal. Who cares if I write 12 for 12? I’m killing myself."

I abandoned the goal, but I kept the habit of waking up at 4:30 am and writing until 7:30 am.

I woke up nearly every day and just wrote, with no goal in mind.

The year went on, and I kept publishing books—not because I was chasing 12 for 12, but because I enjoyed writing, publishing, and my business needed me to publish books.

By November 2020, I looked up and realized I was wrapping up my 11th book. If I pushed hard for the next 30 days, I could achieve 12 for 12.

And so I did.

Here’s the BIG lesson:

"I didn’t reach 12 for 12 because I wanted to write 12 books. I reached 12 for 12 because I WOKE UP EVERY MORNING from 4:30 - 7:30 am FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. The goal doesn’t get you the result; the habit does."

So if you want to achieve an audacious goal, focus on the habit, not the goal.

In fact, throw the goal out the window! (I wrote an entire book on this concept called "Life Construction.")

That’s not all I learned, but it was the most impactful takeaway.

12 Lessons I Learned From Writing 12 Books in 12 Months

1. Focus on the habit, not the goal.

2. Self-care for your mental state is crucial.

3. Books only sell if you market them.

4. Avoid sagging middle titles.

5. Not everything you write needs to be published.

6. Writing the first draft is only 20% of the effort.

7. Let drafts sit until you're excited to edit them.

8. Promotion requires time or money, both are costly.

9. Frequent launches lead to email list burnout.

10. Books written in burn-out become neglected.

11. Your family won’t be as impressed as other authors about 12 for 12.

12. Learn to create your own covers if you want to mass produce.

Was writing 12 for 12 worth it?

Yes, because the muscle you build from writing a lot is the best reward. It just isn’t hard anymore.

Would I do it again?

Hell no.

Not with that goal in mind. If it happens by accident, so be it. If you are writing books consistently take a break from writing and build your author business.

You’ll be able to write more long term if you are making good money that your writing is fueling.

Would I recommend you do it?

Probably not.

But I wouldn’t have learned all those lessons and many more that I’ve probably forgotten.

Nearly half the books I wrote and published were written during those 12 months, but most of those titles are my least successful. It’s been hard to get momentum for them after the fact.

But my fingers know how to write a book and my mind is no longer intimidated about it.

It’s why at the last second thought of, “I should write a book about how to write a mini book in 7 days or less.”

I was able to just turn it on and crank.

Hope this was helpful to you, get writing and don’t forget to market your books.