So, You Want To Write A Book...

 

I often hear, “I want to write a book. What do I do next?” Writing doesn’t come easy to some people, though they have the idea in their heads. And that’s ok! Is it easy to write a book? Not necessarily, though for some, it is. But writing a book doesn’t mean you type everything out and it’s all done and it’s going to magically appear on bookshelves everywhere. Writing is a process, with many drafts and definitely editing and proofreading. Don’t even get me started on the publishing process, which is a whole different blog post!

I believe many people have good ideas for a story, but they don’t have the ability to write or even the time, and that’s where a ghostwriter comes in handy. If you can afford it, that is. Or you can just pay a developmental editor. Whether you’re good at writing or not, if you want to write a story, I encourage you to try. Don’t get stuck on things like, “I don’t know how to write a book,” or make yourself write a certain amount of words per day or per week and then get down on yourself because you don’t meet that goal. I can’t tell you how many times on social media I see writers posting about feeling bad because they didn’t meet their quota for the day or the week. Why are you giving yourself stress? Write when you want to write. OR, if you have your own goal (which is fine), but one day, sit down and can’t write, walk away. Don’t try to push on. Your creative juices are going to flow when they flow. Take a walk, spend time with family, get coffee with a friend, take a bath, have a glass of wine—do whatever it takes to relax yourself and get your mind off of the book because, I guarantee, eventually, the juices will start again and you will get back to your laptop to continue writing. If you Google “how to write a book,” you will see hundreds of blog posts and articles and people’s opinions about what the “right thing” to do is and what not to do. I feel like it’s perfectly fine to get a little advice and read a few blog posts or articles about writing a book, but when it comes down to it, you just need to find your groove. 

Some people outline before they write, and some people just write. I happen to be one of the people who just writes. I don’t outline until I’ve already started my book, and then it’s not even really an outline. They’re just notes, so I can keep track of my characters. I have a client who has a writing space, and he says he’s got notes taped up all over the place. I just take a separate Word document and write my notes down there where I can refer to them. Everyone is creative, so don’t stress yourself out, thinking that writing comes easy to everyone and that you should be like everybody else. Creativity is what sets us apart.

I have actually been struggling for a couple years with my current book. When I started writing it, I had the idea and everything was going great with the writing, but then life happened and I hardly wrote for over a year. When I finally got back into it this year, I got stuck in the middle. I’m great at beginnings and endings, but not so great at the middle. Thankfully, I have an amazing beta reader who helped me and gave me amazing suggestions and ideas, and now I’m almost finished with it.

 

In conclusion, these are the steps you should take when writing a book:

1. Determine the type of book you’re writing. Don’t be all over the place. If you are writing a full-length book about family drama, it’s ok to throw in a little romance, but stick to the main topics.

2. Start writing when you’re ready. If it’s in your head, just sit down and WRITE. You can brainstorm or jot notes later if that is how it works for you. OR you can do an outline first. Do what is best for you creatively.

3. Once you’ve written several pages, go back and read through them. Ask yourself: 

a. Is the story going in the direction I want it to?

b. Are the characters believable?

c. Would I read this book?

4. I suggest getting a trusted friend who reads a lot or a beta reader to look over what you have written so far, UNLESS you’re confident in your writing and want to wait until it’s done.

5. Once the first draft is written, send it to a beta reader and leave it. Let the reader look it over and see what they think and take notes, but in the meantime, get your mind off of it. You can certainly take the time to look at book cover options during this time, but as for the story, give your mind a break. The beta reader will send it back with their suggestions, and then you will work on it or finish it. It’s ok to get a second beta reader after the first.

6. Once it’s where you think you want it to be, find a professional editor. Not a friend; not someone who “went to school majoring in English” or a “schoolteacher,” but a professional editor, someone who does editing for a living. And don’t cheap out. If your budget is limited, save up for the right editor. Cheaping out will not make you a bestseller.

7. Once the editor does the editing, you’ll look it over, make any changes, and then have the final proofread. Some editors, like me, do the final proofreading. Click HERE to learn what a proofreader should do. 

8. I suggest doing your own final proofread after someone else or your editor does a proofread. I like to get a copy before publishing. It’s a draft, not published, just like your book will be printed, cover and all. Reading in book format will help you see any errors better (because remember, even professional editors are not all perfect).

9. You’re ready to publish!

Visit Get It Write Publishing's website for information on our publishing packages.

Follow Get It Write Publishing on Facebook and Instagram!