Let’s write a book.
This week I have joined a project called ‘Let’s write a book’. This has come about by invitation, after I had expressed interest, from theonle.network – an online networking organisation based in the UK – and one of the members, Benjamin Drury, aka The Culture Guy.
On 10 November we had our first meeting on Zoom. The title of the project and the working title of the book is "The Business of Humans". Subtitle; ‘How to make business better for humans and humanity’.
Some two dozen people were invited to the 90-minute session. The aim is to “share some of the wisdom, compassion and knowledge on being human in business, inspiring humans in business, caring for humans in business, growing and challenging humans in business to be their best, both business leaders & employees’.
During the session we split into Zoom breakout rooms and discussed which of the 10 chapter topics we wanted to write about and some of our bullet points.
Then we were given 45 minutes to write 750 -1,000 words each on one of the following topics:
· Conflict* / contest is good.
· Culture and values.
· Balance and fluidity in life & business.
· Building trust and the emotional bank account.
· Offices vs remote working.
· Inspiring and motivating.
· Leadership / Management.
· Fear and Freedom.
· Accountability and results.
· Commitment.
*Note: I objected to the word conflict as, for me, it denotes a warlike attitude which is inappropriate in business. I preferred a work like challenge. The original Latin word ‘conflictus’ is more akin to ‘contest’. Others disagreed, saying that visceral conflict was relevant to modern business dealings.
Next steps
The first challenge was wham, bang writing. My choice is Accountability and results, and, although an experienced writer, I managed only 650 words in the allotted time.
The next step is to edit our existing drafts and submit them to the organisers by Sunday evening. We don’t know who is writing which chapters. So I have no idea whether my contribution will pass muster, be merged with another effort, or discarded. Then the chapters will be edited, proofread and prepared for print, despatched to a printer, and published before Christmas.
I will keep you posted, but don’t keep your eyes on the prize of the Amazon business bestseller lists!
P.S. Of the Collins Dictionary top 10 words for 2020, six are linked to the pandemic: coronavirus, furlough, keyworker, lockdown, self-isolate, social distancing.
Thanks to Lesley Hussell of Editing Edge: https://www.editingedge.co.uk/2020/11/10/2020-word-of-the-year/