1-MONTH BOOKS: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT IN ONE MONTH

The Daily-Showing-Up Principle

Chapter One — Part 2

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When it comes to writing a book, talent is helpful. Motivation is nice. But consistency is everything.

If you’ve ever tried to write a book before and stopped, you probably didn’t stop because you ran out of words — you stopped because you ran out of rhythm. The words come when you show up. And the more often you show up, the easier they come.

This is the heartbeat of the 500-a-day method: showing up daily, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or uninspired. Especially then.

There’s a myth many people believe about writing — that it only counts if you’re in a creative flow, or “in the zone.” That myth stops more books than writer’s block ever could. The truth is, most writers don’t feel inspired when they begin writing. They feel ordinary, distracted, or uncertain. But they start anyway. And often, the inspiration follows the discipline — not the other way around.

That’s why writing 500 words a day is so powerful. It’s not just about reaching a word count — it’s about building a habit of trust. Every day you sit down and write, you’re training your brain: I’m a person who shows up and does the work. That identity shift changes…