I’ve been writing books since I was a kid. I still have the first book I ever wrote, which is about a dog named Lucky and his adventures with a talking cat (yes, you read that right).
Writing has always been my passion and one of my greatest joys in life. But some people think that writing books are only for professional writers who know how to get published.
If you’re one of those people who think this way, then it’s time for me to set the record straight! Anyone can write a book even if you’ve never written before or don’t consider yourself an expert on any subject matter.
And even if you’re just thinking about writing your first book but haven’t started yet, this guide will help get your wheels turning so that someday soon and probably sooner than later you’ll be holding your first published hardcover in your hands while watching Oprah interview you live from her couch!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the writing process |
| 2. Craft a captivating book idea |
| 3. Develop a strong author brand |
| 4. Seek feedback and embrace revisions |
| 5. Research publishing options |
| 6. Create a compelling query letter |
| 7. Find the right literary agent |
| 8. Prepare for the submission process |
| 9. Embrace marketing and promotion strategies |
| 10. Navigate the world of self-publishing |
Start In The Middle
If you’re like most people, your book will be about a character. And if you’re like many of those people, that character will have some kind of problem.
Maybe he’s lost his job, or she has an illness that’s going to kill her or maybe the main characters are lovers whose problems are more internal than external.
Whatever the case may be, it’s easy to start writing with that problem in mind. You’ve got a great scene in your head: It’s one where your protagonist faces off against some tough obstacle and ultimately triumphs over it! But wait…
Start at the beginning instead: Begin with introducing us to our hero/ine and their life before things went wrong (or right).
This way there will be plenty of room for all kinds of surprises throughout your story; by starting from scratch instead of mid-way through, we get an opportunity to know exactly who this person is and how they act under pressure before anything happens to them.*
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Make A Commitment To Writing Every Day
If you want to write a book, the first thing you need to do is commit to writing every day. Commitment doesn’t mean forcing yourself to write if you don’t feel like it it means deciding how much time each day and week you’re going to devote specifically toward putting words down on paper.
Start by setting goals for yourself: maybe try three days per week or five pages per day. The important part is that once you’ve set those goals, stick with them! It doesn’t matter what else happens in life; when it comes time for your writing sessions, stick with them no matter what.
The same goes for staying committed even when things get tough or boring or frustrating and trust me: they will get frustrating at times! But if you’re committed enough and determined enough, eventually something amazing will happen: one day your manuscript will be finished and ready for publication!
Read Your Favorite Book
The best way to know what makes a story great is to read your favorite book. Not only will you be able to see what you like about it, but you can also see what you don’t like and how it could be improved.
You might love the setting and the characters, but there may be something that keeps nagging at you like how one character never seems to take anything seriously or how another character’s main personality trait is that he’s always grumpy.
Don’t worry; it’s not just these characters who are flawed! We’re all flawed and we all have our flaws reflected in our writing as well. The best advice I’ve ever received was from a friend who said “the worst thing someone can do is give up.” No matter how many times something goes wrong or no matter how much work it takes for you, keep trying until it works out!
Transforming your passion for writing into a successful book-writing career is achievable with the right guidance. Discover the key steps in our guide on how to become a book writer, and set yourself on the path to becoming a published author.
Write A Scene That You Think Is Terrible
Everyone has a scene in their book that they don’t like, that they think is terrible. I know I do. The reason you should write it anyway is that the act of writing it will help you get better at writing and editing. Writing a scene that could be better will help you learn how to write better scenes later on in your book, as well as how to edit them once they’re done.
So write a scene that could be better than what’s currently there and then move on! Don’t try to fix it yet; just focus on writing another chapter or two before going back again later on when you’re feeling more comfortable with the process of actually putting together an entire book
Write Your First Draft With The Intent Of Just Having Fun
I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, writing stories was the best thing ever. I loved writing and reading stories and making up my characters. Now, as an adult with bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of, I realize that not everyone has time for that anymore.
But guess what? Writing is still fun! And it should be because if it isn’t fun for you anymore then why would anyone want to read your book? You have to remember that while most people might think they want to write a book or novel someday, very few get around to doing it or finishing what they start once they do begin working on their masterpiece novel idea.
So here’s how you can write your first draft without worrying about quality control: Just have fun with it! Write something that will make sense (or not) at all times as long as you follow these simple tips:
The foundation of a compelling book lies in selecting the right topic that resonates with your readers. Explore our insights on how to decide what to write about for your first book, ensuring your writing journey starts with a captivating subject.
Let The Fun Begin!
You’ve gotten the idea, you’ve written your book, but now what? You can start having fun!
If you’re writing for the first time, it can feel like a serious chore. But when all is said and done, writing a book is supposed to be fun and rewarding. If you love writing as much as I do, then it almost becomes addicting: once I start working on my next project (which I’m currently in the process of doing), I can’t stop thinking about it until the words are all on paper or screen.
The same goes for editing and rewriting you’ll find yourself making adjustments based on reader feedback that will only further improve your work. And once your manuscript is ready for publication? That’s when things get exciting!
Take It One Day At A Time
One of the most common issues that people have when writing a book is that they can’t get past the idea of how long it will take, or how many pages there are to write. It seems like an impossible task from here on out, so why even start?
The trick is to take it one day at a time. Don’t worry about what you haven’t written yet, and focus on the next step. This can be something as small as writing down one sentence or taking notes on an idea in your head (whether it’s just one word or full paragraphs).
The point is that if you keep moving forward with whatever you’re doing right now, then eventually you’ll get through all those blank pages!
Write In Front Of People
You can write in public, but it has to be the right kind of public. If you write in front of people who don’t care about writing and don’t know anything about it, they will distract you. If you choose your readers wisely, however, they can encourage and inspire you to do your best work.
If any words describe my experience writing this book, they are: productive; accountable; honest; creative; social; positive.
And those are just some examples! Writing publicly has been great for me because it’s helped me stay on track with the project and sometimes even get ahead on the things I need to do each day (like checking in with my team). Plus getting feedback from other writers is always good too.”
Crafting a strong author brand is integral to establishing your identity in the literary world. Delve into our guide on creating an author brand to make your mark and effectively promote your published work.
Be Willing To Rewrite, Rewrite And Rewrite Some More
You will rewrite your book, and you will rewrite it again. Be willing to do this.
No matter how much time you spend on the first draft, it will never be perfect. The only way to make it perfect is to keep writing and rewriting until it’s just right for your audience. You can’t edit a blank page you have to write first so that there’s something worth editing!
If you find yourself resisting the idea of throwing away an entire draft because of all the hard work that went into it, remember that what matters most at this stage isn’t how many hours or days have been spent on a chapter but whether the reader would enjoy reading it and whether they’d recommend your book as a result (if they haven’t already).
Your goal should always be clear and flow before anything else even if that means going back over half-finished chapters with fresh eyes looking for opportunities where things could be improved upon in terms of structure or tone or even plot points themselves!
If you’re struggling with something specific about an older chapter but can’t quite figure out where things went wrong (or even how), ask someone else for help; there are lots of people out there who want nothing more than to see authors succeed!
With their advice in mind, try rewriting again from scratch if necessary it may seem like an exercise in futility at first glance–but doing so often yields some surprising results as well as a new understanding about what works/doesn’t work within any given scene
You’re Not Alone
I know it might seem that way, but there are millions of people who have gone through similar experiences. If you want to find them, there are many support groups online and in person to help you along the way. You don’t have to struggle alone any more than anyone else has had to struggle with the same thing before you or will go through it afterward.
And when we do find others who share our experiences, we can form connections that make us feel less isolated we can finally be seen by those who understand us best: other writers who went through what we did and overcame it!
Don’t Use Dialogue As A Crutch
Dialogue is not a substitute for action. If you’re writing a scene in which your character is running away from zombies, don’t have the zombie say, “I’m going to eat your brains!” or something similar. Show that he/she/it is chasing after the main character by having them run across the street and into some bushes.
Dialogue is not a substitute for description. Describe what each character looks like in detail and how they act around one another so that the reader can get a better sense of who they are as people (and not just as words on paper).
Dialogue is not a substitute for setting. This goes back to my point about description—set the mood with descriptions of where everything happens in your story instead of simply telling us where we are through dialogue alone; otherwise, it feels lazy and fails to engage readers as much as it should! At least try 🙂
Dialogue isn’t enough plot either so don’t rely solely on dialogue if there isn’t already enough plot action happening throughout most scenes…which brings me up next:
Find Your Support Group, And Give Back To It
Your support group can be a friend, a family member, or even a writing group or writing conference. As you write your first book, you’ll need to find some people who will support and encourage you along the way.
You can do this by going to a writing group that meets regularly in person or online; joining an online community of writers; meeting other writers at a local writer’s conference; asking one of your friends to read over your work and give feedback on it; having someone else set deadlines for you (and hold yourself accountable); etc.
Embarking on the journey of writing a book is an exciting endeavor, but being prepared is key to success. Discover the essential insights in our article on 13 things you should know before writing a book to ensure a smoother and more fulfilling writing experience.
Ask Yourself What You Want To Say About The Human Condition, Then Build From There
Before you start writing, you need to ask yourself what you want to say about the human condition. That may sound like a big question, but it’s pretty simple. You can break it down into two parts:
What do I believe? What makes me unique? What do I have that no one else has?
How can I say this in a way that is interesting and compelling?
Conclusion
If you want to write a book, don’t let the process be overwhelming. It may seem like a long and tricky road, but it doesn’t have to be!
There are so many tools out there that make the job much easier; from apps that help with outlining your novel or memoir, to software that helps turn your manuscript into an eBook. And if all else fails? Just remember what my friend told me when I asked how she wrote all those books: “It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how hard it is: just write every day.”
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your knowledge about writing and publishing a book:
Self-Publishing Your Book: Explore the world of self-publishing and learn how to take control of your book’s publication process.
How to Write a Book and Get Published: Dive into comprehensive guidance on writing and publishing your book, offering valuable tips for success.
Getting Your Novel Published: Gain insights from experts on the steps to take in order to get your novel published and reach a wider audience.
FAQs
How do I start the process of writing a book?
Starting the process of writing a book involves brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, and setting aside dedicated time for writing sessions. It’s important to establish a routine that suits your writing style and goals.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a book?
Common mistakes to avoid include overthinking the first draft, not seeking feedback from others, and neglecting the importance of editing and revising. Remember that writing is a process that requires patience and continuous improvement.
How can I find a literary agent for my manuscript?
Finding a literary agent involves researching agents who specialize in your genre, preparing a strong query letter and synopsis, and submitting your manuscript according to their submission guidelines. A well-researched and targeted approach increases your chances of finding the right agent.
Is self-publishing a viable option for new authors?
Yes, self-publishing can be a viable option for new authors. It allows you to have greater control over the publishing process and potentially reach a global audience. However, it also requires effective marketing and promotion strategies to ensure your book gains visibility.
How do I create a compelling author brand?
Creating a compelling author brand involves identifying your unique voice, values, and themes that resonate with your target audience. Consistency in your online presence, from social media to your website, helps build a strong and memorable brand identity.
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.