Don't Know Where To Start Writing Your Book? I've Got You!

If you’re eager to write a book but don’t know where to begin, I’m here to help. There’s no shortage of authors out there who can tell you what it takes to write a book but the problem is, their advice often doesn’t apply to everyone.

My approach and process are different because my job as an editor helps me adapt everything I do for every client’s needs.

After years in the industry, I’ve seen that while there are many similarities between all types of books (fiction or nonfiction), one size certainly does not fit all when it comes to planning yours out. So if you’re thinking about writing a book or even starting one and need some guidance from someone who understands how to put words on paper (or pixels), then read on!

How to Write a Book: 13 Steps From a Bestselling Author

Takeaways
Overcoming the initial challenges of starting to write a book.
Practical advice and strategies for getting started on your book-writing journey.
Finding motivation and inspiration to begin your writing process.
Exploring different approaches to generating book ideas.
Understanding the importance of setting goals and maintaining discipline.
Tips for structuring your writing process and maintaining consistency.
Balancing creativity with the need for a clear structure in your book.
Gaining insights into transforming your ideas into a well-crafted story.
Learning from experienced writers about their journeys and strategies.
Discovering the rewards and potential benefits of writing a book.

Table of Contents

Start By Writing About Your Passion

If you’re looking for a book idea, starting with your passion is a great place to begin.

You know what you love and enjoy, so why not write about it? When writing a book on a topic that you are passionate about, it’s easier to come up with ideas and write more consistently because the work is enjoyable. Writing can be hard work at times but if you enjoy what you do then it becomes easier to push through the difficult moments and create something great!

If writing isn’t easy for me then I probably shouldn’t be doing it! If writing comes naturally (more easily) than others in your family or circle of friends then chances are good that this is something worth pursuing further.

It doesn’t matter if everyone else thinks an idea isn’t good – as long as YOU like it then go ahead with it anyway! You’ll find people who share these interests eventually but until then don’t let anyone else hold back your creativity just because they don’t understand where these ideas come from or how much fun they can be.”

Embarking on your journey as a writer can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the craft. If you’re wondering where to start, our article on advice for beginners can provide you with practical tips to kick-start your book-writing process.

Then Write About Your Hobby

You’ll have to be a little more specific than that, though. If you love reading and writing, then start by writing about books. This could be as simple as sharing the books you enjoy with others in your blog or online community (I do this on Goodreads).

It can also mean reviewing books on Amazon and other sites. For example, I’ve written many book reviews that helped me hone my writing skills while earning money at the same time!

For those who love photography: how about creating an Instagram account? Or posting photos on Twitter? You could even get paid for sharing photos if they’re great enough!

Take note of what kind of photos get the most engagement from your audience this will help guide you toward which types of pictures resonate well with them so that when it comes time for publication day (or whatever), there’s no question about which topics will resonate best with readers.”

Write About What You Know

Write about what you know. That’s the golden rule of writing, and it’s essential to get started on your book. What do you know? Who do you know? You don’t have to have been a teacher or an athlete or even a parent you can write about anything that interests you.

For example, my first book was titled “Everything I Know About Horses: The Secrets of Horseback Riding,” and while I’ve never actually taught anyone else how to ride horses (or any other animal), I did learn a lot from owning and training horses in my youth.

But there are plenty of other topics I could’ve written about that might not be as obvious: for instance, how much does horse ownership cost?

How much does boarding cost? How much does feeding cost (and is grain-free worth the extra expense)? These are all things someone might want to know if they’re considering buying their horse for riding or breeding purposes (or just as pets).

Sometimes, all you need is a little motivation to take that first step toward writing your own book. Discover the compelling reasons why you should consider this endeavor in our post about 12 reasons to write a book.

Write About Your Struggles, Learnings, And Failures

There are many different ways to start a book. Some people like to jump right in and write about their lives, some people prefer to outline their story in detail before writing a single word, and some just want an idea or prompt to get them started.

Whatever method you choose (and I’ll list my personal favorite below), I recommend that you start with the basics: your life experiences.

Whether it’s a memoir or fiction novel, writing your own story is one of the best ways to work through difficult emotions and experiences to gain clarity on how they’ve shaped who you are today.

When we talk about “writing what we know,” this is exactly what we mean being able to look back on past experiences (good or bad) helps us grow as individuals and make sense of where things went wrong so that we can avoid making similar mistakes again in future endeavors.

Write About Your Job Or Career

Whether you are an entrepreneur, stay-at-home mom, business owner, or employee at a large corporation, there’s a book in your life. There’s almost no chance that you don’t have something to share with the world.

I would even go as far as saying that if you are alive on this planet and breathing then there is a story to be told about how and why you got here.

Your job might not directly relate to writing but if it involves working with people then absolutely write about it! If there is one thing I’ve learned over my eight years of being in the workforce it’s that we can all learn from each other’s experiences and we should never take ourselves too seriously.”

Write A How-To Book That Teaches People To Do Something You Know How To Do

This is a great idea for beginners because you know your topic inside and out. Plus, there are many how-to books already on the market so your book won’t be cutting edge or revolutionary. You also don’t have to do any research! Instead, all you have to do is write about your experiences with getting started and what obstacles you ran into along the way.

When writing a how-to book, here are some tips:

Write in an informal style. Use first-person voice, like I am saying this now (like this very sentence).
Keep sentences short; use bullet points or numbered lists if necessary. People have shorter attention spans than they used to have, so keep things simple!

Finding the right idea to build your book around is often the initial challenge. If you’re struggling to jump-start your creativity, explore our guide on how to jump-start your book idea to unlock techniques for generating captivating concepts.

Start Writing Now, Even If It’s Not A Book

In the beginning, I started writing about my thoughts and feelings. This was a very natural way for me to start because I’ve always been a writer.

The same goes for you! You might be wondering how you could write about your thoughts and feelings without it sounding like an essay or diary entry. It’s simple! Just start typing whatever comes to mind on the computer screen or notebook paper. It doesn’t matter what type of writing style it takes; just get words down on paper!

After a while, I began writing about what I did that day to keep track of things such as where did I go, who did I meet up with, and what did they say or do while they were there with me? etc… You could also start writing about things from your past experiences:

When was the last time something happened that made an impact on your life? And what were some lessons learned from whatever experience it may have been – whether bad or good?

I encourage those new writers out there who are reading this now at this very moment (or even those who aren’t) to write down everything interesting they find interesting regardless if anyone else finds it interesting too-because chances are someone else might find something fascinating among all these random facts/opinions that don’t necessarily relate together either.

Nonetheless still make sense when taken separately from other unrelated topics within their respective sections of text.”

Then Write Down Ideas For The Next One And The Next One

Next, you’re going to have to write down ideas for the next one. This is probably the hardest part of writing a book because you don’t even know if it will be successful or not. But still, there are ways around this problem.

For example, one way is to just start writing your first book and then edit it later (the idea of editing might make some authors cringe).

Another way is simply making sure that each chapter contributes something important to the overall theme and plot of the book itself. In other words, if it ain’t adding value somehow then don’t include it!

This will help keep things focused so that readers can easily follow along with what they’re reading without being confused by unnecessary details or tangents that aren’t adding anything meaningful towards understanding where things are going with these characters’ lives.

As well as what might happen next after reading each chapter ends which brings us back full circle around again about how important planning does matter when doing anything worthwhile like writing novels instead simply blindly rushing into things without thinking about them.

First before starting up again later down the road somewhere else far away from where we’ve been traveling before now because our minds were elsewhere too busy worrying about other things happening.

Instead focusing on where we needed them most which means no matter how much effort goes into creating something great like an awesome novel written out beautifully well enough

Learning from the experiences of others can significantly enhance your own writing journey. In the early phases of your book-writing adventure, the insights shared in our article about writing tips for beginners can guide you toward a smoother process.

Do An Online Search For Hundreds Of Ideas For Books To Write

You can also do an online search for hundreds of ideas for books to write. Write down ideas for the next one–and the next one…

Consider what makes you unique. What’s your special perspective? If you’re not sure, take a look at other people’s books in your niche and see how they’re different from yours.

Then Think About Who Would Read Your Book And Why

Once you have an idea of what your book’s about, it’s time to think about who would read it and why.

You see, while writing a book is a personal journey, there is a larger purpose behind all that sweat and tears (and coffee).

That purpose is to help someone else in some way. Even if you’re writing fiction and not everyone will want to read about dragons or ghosts or vampires you still want your work to somehow help readers get more out of life.

So before you start scribbling down ideas for chapters and characters, ask yourself: how can my book help someone? How can I help someone?

Think About What You Could Say That No One Else Has Said Before?

This is a big question and the answer will vary for everyone. If you can’t think of anything, or if nothing comes to mind right away, then don’t write a book at all (or at least not yet).

This goes back to my previous point: if there isn’t something unique or special about your story, it doesn’t matter how well written it is no one will be interested in reading it.

If there IS something unique that makes your story stand out from others, then go ahead and start writing!

Then Consider What Makes You Unique. What’s Your Special Perspective?

Once you’ve asked yourself all of these questions, the unique perspective that comes from answering them will help you find your book’s topic. Your unique experience has led to a unique point of view and way of looking at things.

You have a unique way of doing things, thinking, living, and being.

It’s worth noting that when it comes to these types of topics, there are no right or wrong answers but whatever topic you choose should feel genuine and true for YOU!

Consider Creating A “How-To” Book On Something You Know How To Do Well And Others May Not Know As Much About

Writing a how-to book is a great way to get started. It’s also a good way to make some extra cash if that’s something you’re interested in!

A how-to book teaches readers how to do something, like tie a bow tie or bake the perfect soufflé. Topics can vary widely from cooking to parenting to organizing your closet, but they all have one thing in common: They help people learn new skills and become more confident in their abilities by showing them how it’s done.

If you’re an expert at something (or think it would be fun), consider creating your how-to books about it! You’ll be able to use what you know best as the foundation for each book and build upon this knowledge with additional resources before writing up your manuscript.

Writing a book is not just a creative pursuit; it can also be financially rewarding. If you’re interested in exploring the potential financial benefits, our post on writing a book that gets you paid offers insights into making your writing efforts lucrative.

Think About Ways To Help Others Find Personal Happiness And Satisfaction In Their Lives

Think about ways to help others find personal happiness and satisfaction in their lives. This may be through a blog, podcast, or video series. You can also create products or services that will help people improve themselves, for example by learning how to meditate (meditation is great for helping people find happiness).

If you’re interested in writing books but aren’t sure where to start: I’ve got you covered. In this section of my site, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about writing a book, from making sure it’s the right thing for you, getting started on your first draft, editing your book, and publishing it!

Always Keep A Notebook With You So Ideas Can Be Captured When They Occur To You

As a writer, you should always keep a notebook with you so that ideas and thoughts can be captured when they occur to you.

Don’t wait until you have time to write them down; this will probably never happen! The best thing to do is carry around a small notebook and jot things down as soon as they come into your head. This way, when inspiration strikes, it won’t be lost forever because of a lack of preparedness on your part.

Don’t worry about grammar or spelling or how well-written the idea is at first just get it out of your head so that it doesn’t disappear forever!

I Don’t Want Anyone To Die With Their Stories Or Knowledge Untold!

I’m on a quest to help people tell their stories, share their knowledge and write their books. I don’t want anyone to die with their stories or knowledge untold!

I don’t want any more people dying with their stories or knowledge untold!

Conclusion

Start writing now, even if it’s not a book. Then write down ideas for the next one–and the next one. Do an online search for hundreds of ideas for books to write. Then think about who would read your book and why.

Think about what you could say that no one else has said before. Then consider what makes you unique. What’s your special perspective? Consider creating a “how-to” book on something you know how to do well and others may not know as much about

FAQs

How can I overcome writer’s block during the early stages of book writing?

Writer’s block is a common challenge for writers, especially at the beginning. To overcome it, try freewriting, changing your environment, or outlining your ideas before you start writing.

What are some effective strategies for generating book ideas?

Generating book ideas can be exciting yet challenging. Consider brainstorming, journaling, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, or exploring unique perspectives to come up with compelling concepts.

How do I maintain consistency and discipline while writing a book?

Maintaining consistency and discipline is crucial for a successful writing journey. Establish a writing schedule, set achievable goals, eliminate distractions, and reward yourself for meeting milestones.

What are the benefits of outlining my book before writing?

Creating an outline provides structure and direction for your book. It helps you organize your ideas, plot, and characters, making the writing process smoother and preventing potential roadblocks.

How can I balance creativity with structure when writing a book?

Balancing creativity and structure is essential for a well-crafted book. Allow your creativity to flow during the drafting process, but also use your outline as a guide to maintain a cohesive and engaging storyline.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.

Don’t Know Where To Start Writing Your Book? I’ve Got You!