13 Tips For Writing A Book & Becoming A Published Author

Becoming an author is a dream shared by many, but it can be tricky to achieve. 

While there isn’t just one secret path to follow on the road to creating and selling your first book, there are some strategies that many published authors have used to get their works onto the shelves of stores everywhere. 

The following 13 tips for writing a book will help you organize your thoughts, prioritize your writing schedule, and simplify the entire process.

Takeaways
1. Begin with a strong concept and clear goal for your book.
2. Develop a writing routine to maintain consistent progress.
3. Outline your book to organize your thoughts and structure.
4. Embrace your unique voice and writing style.
5. Overcome writer’s block by experimenting with different strategies.
6. Seek feedback from beta readers to refine your manuscript.
7. Edit and revise your work to ensure clarity and coherence.
8. Consider professional editing services for a polished manuscript.
9. Craft a compelling title and cover design for your book.
10. Research and choose the right publishing option for you.

1. Stick To A Writing Routine

A writing routine can help you stay on track, avoid distractions and keep your mind focused. However, it’s important not to stress yourself out too much or let yourself get too relaxed: neither extreme is conducive to good writing.

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Stick To The Same Schedule Every Day

Set aside dedicated time each day for writing even if it’s only 30 minutes or so. You don’t need a full hour; even just 15 minutes will help you get into the habit of staying on task instead of getting distracted by other things. 

Scheduling specific hours for writing will also make sure that you don’t put it off until later in the day when your energy and motivation levels are lower (and more prone to failure).

Keep Breaks Brief

It’s tempting when taking breaks from working on something stressful like a book project (or any other challenging task) to spend lots of time relaxing with friends or watching TV shows online but this can be harmful. 

Because it reinforces our idea that we’re entitled not only to relaxation but rest from work too! Instead, try keeping these kinds of activities short-lived so they don’t interfere with your work schedule—perhaps 10-15 minutes max! And then get right back at it when they’re over! 

This will ensure that even though there might still be some lingering effects left behind by those activities’ presence at all times throughout our lives (like being unable–or unwilling–to relax properly), they won’t hinder us any more than necessary while still allowing us enough leeway

2. Write To A Regular Word Count

Set a regular word count.

You should write every day. Set a word count to reach each day your goal should be 2,000 words, but this can vary depending on your schedule and circumstances. 

You can write for 30 minutes or an hour, but you have to make sure that you’re reaching your daily goal of words written. Write for as long as it takes until you hit the target number of words for the day.

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3. Only Write When You Feel Creative And Inspired

You should only write when you feel creative and inspired. Don’t force yourself to write if you are tired or stressed, as this will just result in poor quality writing. 

You also want to avoid writing when you are not in the mood if your mind isn’t engaged, then chances are that your readers won’t be either! If at all possible, wait until after any distractions have passed before getting down to work on your book. 

Finally, never write while angry or sad: if something is bothering you it might be better to deal with it first before getting back into the groove of writing again.

4. Make An Outline Before You Start Writing

Writing an outline before you start writing is a great way to stay on track, avoid writer’s block, and know how much content you need to write.

You might be thinking that writing an outline sounds like something for the beginning of the process rather than for later when you have something written. 

But many writers find that outlining their book helps them figure out what they want to say and think through it, so it can help throughout the whole process.

Some people think of outlines as just a list of chapters with some brief notes about each topic covered in that chapter. 

Others use outlines more creatively: using bullet points or even images for each section rather than just text; 

Using different colors or fonts for different sections to visually show relationships between ideas; even drawing diagrams showing how ideas fit together (like flowcharts).

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5. Write Your Book For An Audience Of One

When you write for an audience of one, your writing is more powerful. It feels personal and intimate. You’ll be able to get down to the core of what you want to say in your book by writing for someone who matters to you and has a vested interest in what you’re saying.

If this sounds like too much pressure, remember that it’s not about being perfect or having the perfect words it’s about getting started and doing whatever it takes to get those first few pages written so that momentum can carry through until the end.

6. Make Sure Your First Chapter Hooks The Reader

The first chapter is the most important in any book, but especially for a short story or novel. The hook, as it’s called by writers, should be engaging and interesting but not too much so, or else you will lose your reader immediately! 

It is also important for your hook to be relevant to what you’re writing about in future chapters of your book. If it isn’t, then why would anyone want to read on?

7. Come Up With A Catchy, Memorable Title For Your Book

One of the most important steps in writing your book is coming up with a catchy, memorable title. A title should be descriptive, but not too long (like The Adventures and Misadventures of an Unemployed Man Who Still Hasn’t Found His Passion). 

It should also be easy to remember (like The Bible Tells Me So, or How I Learned That Men Are Dogs). And finally, don’t use a book title that is too similar to other books on the market. 

For example: if there are already two books out titled “The Sun Also Rises” then you probably shouldn’t go ahead and publish yours as well!

Also, consider whether your title has any personal meaning for you; do not base it off on your name unless it’s something very unique like John Lennon’s “In His Own Write” (though even this one would probably still be considered too similar).

8. Use “We” Statements, Not “I” Statements

Be sure to use “we,” not “I,” statements. For example, if you are writing a book about how to make omelets, you might say: “We can make omelets using either milk or water.” This creates a sense of teamwork by showing that we’re all working together toward some shared goal.

In addition, it also helps create a sense of community between the writer and their audience. This can be especially effective when you’re writing about topics that are difficult for people who haven’t been exposed much before (e.g., cooking). 

By emphasizing that everyone involved has something important to contribute–and should feel proud about doing so–you can draw your audience in emotionally as well as intellectually.

9. Don’t Use Too Many Exclamation Marks!!!

Exclamation marks are a form of punctuation. They’re used to express strong emotions, such as excitement or surprise.

But remember: exclamation points aren’t always necessary! And overusing them can make you look like a crazy person. For example, the following sentence is fine without an exclamation point: “I’m so happy I finished my book!”

You can also use other words besides ‘exclamation’ to show your tone or intent: “Wonderful!” “Astonishing!” or even just use a comma (which is technically another type of mark).

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10. Proofread As You Go Along

Proofread as you go along. It’s easy to get so caught up in writing that you forget to proofread, but it’s important to do so. You don’t want to miss any mistakes that might otherwise be easily spotted.

Here are some resources that can help: Grammarly (free) Pro Writing Aid (paid) Ginger (free) Hemingway App ($5 per month), which highlights passive voice and adverbs in red ink

11. Build A Social Media Presence That Will Help With Marketing

Social media can help you build your brand, connect with readers and influencers, and more.

You don’t have to be an expert at social media to get started. Just set up accounts for your author brand on the platforms where you think they will be most effective. 

Use those accounts to share content related to your book or blog posts you’re writing about writing (or even just fun pictures of your pets!). 

If you want to take it a step further, consider hiring someone who is already an expert at social media marketing (and maybe even blogging) so that they can help amplify the message behind what it is that YOU do best: write books!

12. Don’t Over-Explain The Hows And Whys Of Everything In Your Book

The reader doesn’t need to know why you did something or what led to your decision. They just want to know the result of that action, which is all they need to understand and apply on their own. 

If you spend too much time explaining this process, it will take away from the value of the lesson itself and distract from what you are trying to teach them.

This can be especially true with metaphors and analogies. Don’t explain every single detail behind each analogy or metaphor; instead, focus on getting across the message as quickly and clearly as possible so that it resonates with readers more effectively.

Don’t use too many examples either! Only use one or two per point if possible–you don’t want readers feeling overwhelmed by your book because there’s just too much information presented at once (and also because nobody likes having their time wasted).

13. Use Metaphors And Analogies To Help Readers Understand Concepts

Metaphors and analogies are a great way to help readers understand concepts. They do this by comparing the new concept to something that the reader already knows.

For example, in her book Eating on the Wild Side, Jo Robinson uses metaphors like “the food we eat is a mirror of our health” and “eating for good health is like going to work with an empty toolbox or wearing someone else’s shoes.” 

These metaphors help readers understand concepts like epigenetics (how our environment affects our genes) by comparing them to things they already know about: working hard on a job and wearing shoes that don’t fit your feet well.

Here are some more ideas:

The human body is complex but it can be broken down into different parts that each have their specific function like a car engine! 

And just as you wouldn’t expect an old beat-up car not to work because its parts aren’t brand new anymore, neither should you expect yourself not to feel well if your body isn’t completely perfect according to society’s standards.

The brain has two sides: left-brain thinking (logical analysis) vs right-brain thinking (creative synthesis). Most people tend toward one side or another but there’s nothing wrong with being both!

Reading books can be likened to traveling around the world; it exposes us to firsthand experiences from other cultures as opposed to just hearing about them from others’ experiences.

Books offer us insight into ourselves; reading allows us to see life through someone else’s eyes so we can better understand ourselves in turn–kind of like how looking at yourself in mirrors makes you realize where things need improvement!

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Conclusion

There you have our 20 tips for writing a book, becoming a published author, and getting ready to hit the bestseller list. 

We hope that these tips help you along your journey. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book but haven’t gotten started yet, what are you waiting for? That story isn’t going to write itself!

Further Reading

Looking for more insights on writing a book? Check out these resources:

Scribe Media: How to Write a Book Learn valuable techniques and strategies to guide you through the book-writing process, from concept to publication.

MasterClass: How to Write a Book Gain inspiration and practical advice from renowned authors to help you embark on your own journey of writing a book.

Reedsy Blog: How to Write a Book Explore a comprehensive guide that breaks down the steps to create a compelling manuscript, along with expert tips and resources.

FAQs

How do I get started with writing a book?

Starting your book-writing journey involves identifying your passion, outlining your ideas, and setting a writing schedule that works for you.

What are some effective techniques for overcoming writer’s block?

Writer’s block is common. Try changing your environment, using writing prompts, or simply writing freely to overcome mental barriers.

How can I stay motivated throughout the writing process?

Maintain your motivation by setting achievable goals, rewarding yourself for milestones, and seeking support from writing communities.

What’s the importance of a strong book outline?

A well-structured outline serves as a roadmap for your book, helping you organize ideas, maintain consistency, and stay focused on your narrative.

How do I approach the editing and revision phase?

Editing is crucial. Start by taking a break from your draft, then revise for clarity, coherence, and style. Consider seeking feedback from beta readers or professionals.