12 Comments
User's avatar
Andy Procopis's avatar

Mate, this is like you opened the fridge door of my brain, saw what was missing, and went and stocked it. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

Always happy to provide brain food where I can :)

Expand full comment
Komal Minhas's avatar

Saved for when I finally dive into writing my first book. Hopeful connect with an aligned agent soon to begin the journey. Thanks for this breakdown, and enjoy Greece!

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

That’s a very good time to dive into it.

Expand full comment
Jacqui Clarke's avatar

Thanks for this Tim. I picked up your latest book after reading your SMH column. Love your work. As a fellow author ✍️ I find this more you share really insightful. I chuckled reading about the Evernote / Notion back to Notes thing. I confess… I’m the same. Best regards Jacqui

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

Cheers Jacqui, glad that you're here. And long live Notes!

Expand full comment
Polina's avatar

Did you read Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick? I found it very useful (and just the right length).

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

I actually haven't heard of that before - but off the back of your recommendation I've just downloaded it to read as it looks excellent. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Warren Fahey's avatar

Interesting insight, Tim. Personally, and as you know, I always have a book on the go.....I find using Vellum* invaluable. I guess it is a wee bit like Apple Notes.... except, because with Vellum you can write the book directly into pages that 'look and feel like a book (and will eventually be print ready) AND also add reminders, etc, similar to what you do with Apple Notes (and then, if used, delete them). I need to write my books and see what they look like. I suspect I am anally retentive! *Vellum is an Apple-friendly book app and is simple to navigate.

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

Waz I think you've written more books than 99.99% of people on Earth, so you have a lot you can add on your process.

I will check out Vellum, sounds like a very useful tool, thanks!

Expand full comment
Lucy Kippist's avatar

I literally devoured this, Tim. Also delighted to see you’re a fellow Notes 🗒️ fan. It’s the simple things!

Two very clever writers in my life also use Scrivener. Am sharing this article with them now.

Now I want to read the piece on choosing your subject!

Expand full comment
Tim Duggan's avatar

I just can't quit Notes, no matter how hard I try.

Glad you found it useful Lucy - and yep, there's another draft in my head (well Notes app) about how I pick a new juicy topic every few years that I'll write up one day.

Expand full comment