Book writers have a tale to tell about their work routine. Our narrative involves spending hours sitting on a couch or a designated desk, typing away tirelessly, staying up late into the night, consuming endless cups of tea or coffee, and daydreaming while staring into space. Like any other author, we also encounter unexpected changes in the plot. There are times when we spend hours staring at the screen, only to delete the single sentence we managed to write. We often get fixated on a particular word or phrase, similar to a catchy tune but struggle to come up with the rest of the text.
Table of Contents
Prologue
At times, we aspire to become writers, but there are instances when we lack the motivation to write or find ourselves unable to do so. It is reassuring to know that many others share this experience. We all share the same aspiration of authoring a book. Therefore, we offer this guide that outlines precisely how to achieve this goal.
Prior to commencing the book writing process, it is essential to make necessary preparations to ensure a smooth, stress-free, and efficient experience.
Make Space
It is not necessary to acquire an antique book-writing desk to create a suitable book writing environment. The key is to establish a personal space that encourages creativity and eliminates distractions. If you prefer a peaceful setting, you could set up a book writing corner or room in your home. It does not need to be extravagant; use what you already have to create a space that is uniquely yours. If your home environment is not conducive to book writing, consider a library or other peaceful public spaces. Alternatively, if you are inspired by the presence of others, coffee shops or parks may be the ideal book writing locations for you. It is equally essential to design a virtual workspace that promotes concentration, as we are frequently distracted online. Turning off notifications and utilizing features such as Focus Mode can minimize digital interruptions during the book writing process.
Make Time
During a counseling session, I shared that I had not been book writing due to a lack of time. My counselor responded by saying, “Don’t find the time. Make the time.” Despite various obligations such as school, work, home, church, or relationships, we must prioritize book writing. If we view writing as something insignificant that can be put off until “some other time,” we risk losing sight of our dreams of authoring a book. It is important to determine how much time we can allocate to book writing and when we will do it. For instance, we may decide to write for an hour every day or three hours on weekends. Additionally, we can set goals for how much we want to write, such as two poems a day or twenty pages in one session. It is important to start small and gradually increase the amount of time or output. However, we must also allow ourselves to rest from book writing to prevent burnout and loss of inspiration.
Know Your Motivations and Styles
At some point in our book writing endeavors, we are bound to encounter obstacles, such as writer’s block. It is crucial to identify what inspires us and have it readily available. This may include inspirational writing quotes, a playlist that energizes us, a cup of coffee, a movie and a cozy blanket, or a scented candle. These items can rejuvenate our energy and keep us motivated. Additionally, it is essential to determine our preferred book writing style early on, even before the pre-writing stage, so that we can apply it effectively throughout the book writing process and create exceptional pieces.
Choose Your Tools
If you prefer the traditional way of book writing, your first drafts on paper, then you will need some basic materials such as paper, notebooks, binders or folders, pens and pencils, sharpeners, erasers, paper clips, staplers, punchers, rulers, tape, and scissors. However, it’s essential to have a gadget since manuscripts are processed digitally, especially through Microsoft Word, whether you use your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer for book writing. You can also explore other book writing software such as Google Docs, Grammarly, Evernote, Scrivener, and Freedom. It’s essential to personalize these materials because writing is an individual process. Keep a notebook or a notes app for ideas on the go, so you can save your thoughts as they come, even when you’re in the middle of doing other things. This makes a difference because things have a way of being expressed at the moment.
This is the point where we start with the real process of book writing.
Come Up With Your Big Idea
There are two essential elements that our story concept should possess: It should spark excitement within us, and it should also excite readers. It is beneficial to write what we want to read ourselves. Moreover, what message are we trying to convey through our story? What is the primary theme? For instance, do we communicate that love requires commitment? Do we demonstrate that history repeats itself? Do we highlight the corrupting influence of power? Do we emphasize the importance of spirituality? We must identify the central message and allow the rest of the story to support it later on. As more people become writers, competition for similar ideas grows. Therefore, we must differentiate our work somehow. The idea does not have to be strange, but it should pique people’s interest with fresh experience. Before beginning to write, we can try sharing our ideas with loved ones and mentors to gauge their reactions. If it excites them, and if it excites us, then we should pursue it.
Promise a Premise
After coming up with our main idea, we can condense it into a single sentence or page, which becomes the basis of our outlines and stories. This is called the premise and serves as the foundation of our book writing. By using this one sentence or page, we can begin writing our book. We can start by expanding one word into one sentence and then developing that into one paragraph, then one chapter, and ultimately into a complete book.
Outline the Story
The next step in the book writing process depends on our preferred book writing style, which we identified earlier. Whether we are Plotters who prefer to plan extensively or Pantsers who prefer to write spontaneously, it is important to have a basic outline of the major events in our story. Plotters can expand on each part until they are satisfied, while Pantsers can use the outline as a guide and figure out the rest as they write. The outline should also include character development, where we begin to create the core personalities of our characters and how they will evolve throughout the book. Plotters can spend more time developing their characters’ backstories, while Pantsers may create a basic idea of their characters and flesh them out as they write. To create an engaging story, we can use the “The Box” method or the structure below as a guide for outlining.
Research
In both non-fiction and fiction, stories that are grounded in reality tend to be the most captivating. While our stories may originate from our imagination, we should ensure that they are coherent and rational in some way. Otherwise, our readers may become disinterested and lose faith in the story. Authenticity is attained through research, particularly when we write on subjects like science, history, culture, and society. Regardless of the genre we write in, conducting research can enrich our outlines, bridge the information gaps, and aid in the story’s expansion.
Set a Deadline
It’s commonly believed that a deadline is the most effective source of motivation. Thus, once we have a clear plan of the plot and the estimated time it will take us to write it based on our book writing style, it’s advisable to set a definite deadline to complete the book. By having a specific date in mind, we will be more inclined to exert the necessary effort to finish our stories on time.
Believe In Yourself
We are certainly capable of achieving this goal. Even the most successful writers who are widely recognized today have been in our position before, at the beginning of their journey toward something extraordinary. We simply need to take things one step at a time and not rush ourselves. With dedication, hard work, and confidence in our abilities, we can surely accomplish our dream of writing a book.
Writing It Down
It is time to start a book writing with enthusiasm and determination.
Establish a Perspective and a Voice
As previously discussed in a writing fiction article, selecting the most suitable and impactful viewpoint is crucial. The readers will experience the story through the chosen perspective, so it’s important to complement it with a compelling and vibrant narrative voice. This voice is the readers’ method of connecting with the character, making it vital to write in a natural and consistent tone.
Hook Readers Right at the Start
The cover of a book is what attracts readers, while the title and summary make them want to read it. Nevertheless, the first line of a story is what draws them in and keeps them interested throughout the entire book. Therefore, it is crucial to have a strong opening sentence. Instead of using a cliché first line that suggests a common storyline, we should opt for something unique and intriguing that will make our readers curious and invested in the story. We can achieve this by being creative, imaginative, and compelling in our book writing.
Put a Lot of Tension
Conflicts reveal the true nature of a character and shape their development or arc. Obstacles motivate people to change, and to take a different approach to achieve their goals. By placing our characters in challenging situations, we provide them with an opportunity to recognize their weaknesses and evolve, regardless of the outcome. This transforms them into heroes, enriches our stories, and captivates our readers.
Shut Off Your Inner Editor
Although it can be alluring to edit our work as we progress, we should keep in mind that this stage is only a part of the book writing process. Our primary objective is to write and create the first draft, either all at once or in sections. We should have confidence that we will have sufficient time in the future to revise and refine our story. We should not feel compelled to make everything perfect at this stage.
Live the In-Between
The middle part of the story is just as important as the beginning and the end, as this is where the characters undergo their journey and strive towards achieving their goal. To ensure that the middle is as engaging, it is important to keep the readers interested by introducing conflicts and allowing them to get to know the characters. The outline and plotlines developed earlier serve as the foundation for building up the middle section, where more subplots and intensities can be added to make the story more compelling.
It is important to keep in mind our own book writing journey as well. There may come a time when writing the middle section becomes challenging. The enthusiasm from the beginning may fade away, and we may become fixated on the climax and ending, leaving us with little energy for the middle. However, if we can muster the strength to push through the beginning and end, we can also do the same for the middle section. What matters most is not the destination but the journey itself.
Write a Resonating Ending
The conclusion is what readers and writers eagerly anticipate. To ensure that the ending is satisfying, it is crucial not to rush it. We should appreciate the process and allocate enough time for the characters to resolve the plot. The ending should serve two purposes: satisfy us as writers and satisfy our readers. If we decide to include a cliffhanger or plot twist, it is essential to ensure that it is rational and logical. If the ending fails to align with the story’s quality, readers will be disappointed. Finally, the ending should be impactful, and we should consider the book’s core message while concluding. We must ensure that the message is effectively conveyed to the readers through the end.
Here, we can allow our inner perfectionist editor to come forward.
Get Into Self-Editing
The first priority in editing is to address and fix any grammatical mistakes. While some writers prefer to hire proofreaders or rely on grammar-checking tools, it’s better to learn how to edit our own work. As authors, we have a unique understanding of our story and are best equipped to deliver it in a way that resonates with readers. To achieve this, we can follow some tips such as using simple and natural language, avoiding repetition, letting readers draw their own conclusions, and providing enough details to spark their imaginations without overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
In addition to addressing technical aspects, it is essential to edit the actual story. We must ensure that all the components blend cohesively to create a comprehensive understanding of the intended themes.
Get Feedback
After editing our manuscripts a couple of times, it’s crucial to share them with others. We can ask our friends to read the story and provide feedback or seek out professional mentors who can give us expert advice on navigating our work, particularly as we move toward the publishing stage. This step is vital as it allows us to gauge the reactions of our readers, agents, and editors to our book so far. By doing this, we can improve our work and create a more satisfying reading experience.
Edit Again
After receiving sample feedback, we can proceed with the final edits to our manuscript. We can consider our story to be complete when we are satisfied with it as both a writer and a reader when we believe that our book is a work of art that effectively conveys an experience when we have a strong feeling that our story has left a lasting impression, and when we have successfully communicated what we intended to express.
Title and Format
It is important to have titles that are both catchy and accurately represent the essence of our stories while also being distinct from other books. Additionally, before publishing our works, it is crucial to ensure they are properly formatted to appear organized, professional, and presentable. The recommended formatting style includes using black 12-point Serif fonts like Times New Roman, double spacing the manuscript with no extra spaces between indented paragraphs, indicating shifts in time or perspective with dingbats like asterisks, left-aligning the text with one-inch margins on all sides of the page, and including headers with our title, name, and page numbers.
Getting Published
After taking some time to celebrate and rest for completing our books, we must now confront the practicalities of publishing. While you can refer to the linked article for a comprehensive understanding of the traditional and self-publishing methods, here are some basic tips to remember for those new to the publishing process.
Get Into Traditional Publishing
In brief, traditional publishing involves finding an agent who will help us negotiate with a publisher. Once we have secured a publisher, they will take care of acquiring, editing, designing covers, printing, pricing, distributing, promoting, and marketing our books.
Get Into Self-Publishing
In contrast, with self-publishing, we have complete control over the entire publishing process. We are responsible for formatting our stories into printable files, creating our own book covers or hiring a professional to do it for us, obtaining an ISBN or International Standard Book Number, investing in printing services, setting prices, and launching and promoting our books.
Share and Market Your Story
As writers, our responsibilities don’t end when our books are published and placed on bookstore shelves. Being a writer is a lifelong vocation, as we are storytellers by nature. We must have the zeal to share our stories; otherwise, writing them will have no meaning. With the advent of technology, we can use social media platforms and other modern ways to promote and market our books. We should also not underestimate the power of traditional word-of-mouth sharing. Engaging in conversations with strangers about our book can create numerous opportunities for us. We may encounter agents, publishers, and marketing representatives who can help us sell our books. However, sharing our work also exposes us to the danger of plagiarism. Thus, it is imperative that we learn how to protect ourselves from it. In the end, our story is our masterpiece, and we should remember that we are not only selling stories but, more importantly, we are sharing them.
Epilogue
As authors, we have a significant role in shaping people’s thoughts and emotions, even if we spend most of our time indoors. Our stories have the power to provide solace and comfort to readers in far-flung places. While we may appear to be doing nothing while gazing into the void, we are in fact, creating worlds that inspire, encourage, and instill love and empathy. Though we may occasionally experience writer’s block, we persist in our craft so we can enrich people’s lives through the unique experiences we offer in our art. The life of an author is a story in itself, and starting today, you too can be a part of it.
Conclusion
The ghostwriting services of Write4Gloryare highly effective, and they are well-known in the flourishing field of marketing in today’s world. Implementing the marketing plan for writing services can be one of the reasons to steer your write-ups toward success. Despite requiring significant time and effort, writing services have several advantages, such as assisting in building brand recognition and connecting with your intended audience. Ghostwriting provides a distinctive opportunity to merge engaging, practical, functional, and inspiring messages that correspond with your books, making them an excellent method to showcase your book`s values and objectives. Overall, investing in writing services can generate a potent tool to promote your write-ups and appeal to new writers, rendering it a valuable component of any marketing strategy to promote your brand.
