I'm writing How to Enjoy Wilderness Backpacking using Rob Fitzpatrick's Write Useful Books as a guide!

Hello there, Indie Hackers!

I am attempting to write and self-publish my first book. Currently titled "How to Enjoy Wilderness Backpacking", it will help novice backpackers plan fun trips, pack the right gear, and have a great time without burning the forest down or being eaten by a bear.

I will be attempting to emulate the process presented so helpfully by Rob Fitzpatrick in his book "Write Useful Books". Rob talks about how most books make a big lump of money at launch, but how that flow of money quickly dwindles. The way to make sure that books make more money over time, not less, is to make sure that they are recommendable. Book sales grow through word of mouth. He suggests that the way to make a book recommendable is to share your drafts with readers and incorporate feedback from an early stage. He further suggests that you can use your drafts and progress reports as marketing for the final product. It's a great book with a ton of stuff in it, and I'll keep referring to it as I continue down this path.

My goal is to eventually make a couple of thousand dollars per month through book sales. I have ideas for other books I could write if I can make this model work.

My process is to "make things and tell people". I need to write the book, and I need to market the book. My plan is to work on the manuscript 2 days/week. Once per week, I will release a tweet with something that I wrote that week. At the end of the month, I will do a long-form post on IH talking about my progress, process, and learnings that month.

I have never built an online business or presence before. Building in Public sounds uncomfortable, sort of like itching your junk in public. I would not normally seize an opportunity to be on social media. But I'm convinced that if I work for months in seclusion and release the book to no one… Then I will have, if not wasted my time, at the very least not made the best use of it.

I also work as a climbing coach, so this will be a part-time endeavor.

Progress This Month

• Created project calendar
• Created detailed Table of Contents
• Added 5000 words to manuscript

Challenges This Month

The biggest challenge thus far has been focus. I have been pretty consistent about writing on days that I am scheduled to write, but I am definitely not in a rhythm yet. It's remarkable how easy it is for other things to replace this project in my mind. I'm hoping that as I get deeper and deeper into the project, it will become easier and easier to step into it without so much friction.

The other biggest challenge is actually starting to build in public. It's scary.

Writing is difficult and I usually write slowly and painstakingly. Somehow, I have to be able to produce a blog post in a day or two, and thousands of words of manuscript per week. I don't know what the best process for that looks like. "Sit down and put your hands on the keyboard" is my current best strategy.

I started this project hoping that my enthusiasm for it would give me an extra boost – just that surge of excitement that would make everything feel like fun instead of work. It turns out, though, that I'm already maxed out on energy. I don't have a secret reservoir of energy – this is what I've got. So, this project feels like work, and I also have to finesse energy from other things to make sure that I have enough for this. We all have to do this energy allotment, but it just emphasizes to me how important it is to make sure that you are working on projects that you really care about.

Takeaways This Month

Conceive → Plan → Execute

In order to complete a large project, you have to have a detailed plan and then execute the plan meticulously. At this point, I am neither a brilliant nor an experienced writer, but I have to trust that if I plan thoughtfully, practice writing regularly, produce content, and interact with the people who care about the problem I'm solving, that I will eventually meet with success, however small.

Begin with the end in mind… and keep the end in mind!

This month I was offered a job as a head coach at the climbing club where I work. I was seriously tempted by the offer, but, eventually, I turned it down because I don't want to take any more jobs that don't move me as directly as possible towards the lifestyle and vocation that I want.
As a younger person, I did not have clarity about what I wanted from my life, my career, or my girlfriend. Now, in my mid-thirties, I have tried enough careers, places, lifestyles, and girlfriends that I am fairly confident about what will work for me. I am also finally at a place where I've figured out the best routine for me, and it is a routine that is portable and will travel with me wherever I go. At this point, I am trying to only make plans or pursue projects that will allow me to continue the lifestyle that I already enjoy.
What's the point of building a business that will make you unhappy day-to-day? It's mission f**king critical to only pursue projects that pay the bills AND make your life better in the ways that you want.

That's it for this month. I need to go do some more work on this manuscript!

If you're interested in learning how to go backpacking in the wilderness or you'd like to keep up with my progress, you can find me here on IH or on Twitter @brandonstrellis or IG @brandonslineofsight.

Thanks and good luck with your projects this month!