Timeline

I opened Google Docs. Inside, I wrote down everything I could think of about switching careers to web development. I added a table of contents.

I bought and read "How to Write a Nonfiction eBook in 21 Days - That Readers LOVE!" by Steve Scott. I opened my Google Doc and wrote down some useful pointers from the book.

I thought I better get on with my book, so I opened my Google Doc. I wrote an introduction and something about personal projects.

I used flashcards to organise a table of contents (which later changed almost completely).

I bought and read "Write Useful Books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction" by Rob Fitzpatrick. I opened my Google Doc and wrote down some useful pointers from the book. The book helped me realise the table of contents I had created needed improvement.

I bought and read two other career-switch-to-web books. These books helped me figure out what I did and didn't want in my book: "How to Get a Job in Web Development: The Ultimate Guide" and "How to Become a Web Developer: The Career Changer's Guide".

Now that my child is in daycare, I can dedicate a little more time to writing. I can also keep telling myself that a little bit of writing a day is better than none. Logic over fear, let's go!

My writing mantra is to cut the fluff and tell people exactly what they need, in plain language. Currently feeling thankful for the longer, fluffier paragraphs I wrote years ago. I can take those and cut them down!

Chipping away at the book, paragraph by paragraph, night by night. The work feels slow. Like I am adding dominoes, one at a time, very, very gradually to a long and dusty, years-old line of old dominoes that stretches further than the eye can see. But, I feel good about it! I can't see or even feel the progress. Not really. But I know it is there. Once I wrote 100 words a day for 100 days and at the end had 10,000 words of material. Those few words I wrote every day felt so easy to write and grew into something huge. This is what's happening with my book as well.

I asked a good friend of mine if she'd share her experiences of becoming a developer with me. She said she'd be happy to support me ❤️

I asked on Mastodon whether anyone knows a new web developer who used to do something else. I am excited to chat with people!

Hello! I'm back! I've been writing. I have a few chapters set up.

I'm currently grappling with a question.

If I write this book in public, include real developer stories, and ask for review help from other developers, how do I market the finished book?

I don't want to sell the book as if it's my accomplishment alone. I don't want to profit off of it alone. That feels greedy.

My current idea is to put it up as a digital file via an indie seller website for around $5. This feels underpriced but would make it more accessible to more people and hopefully nod to all the people who supported me along the way.