Have you been thinking about writing a book for a long time? You have a lot of ideas swirling around in your head, and you do not know where to start, right? The good news is that starting is easy, but you have to commit to being consistent enough to finish. Below are tips that can help you put pen to paper, or click those keys on your computer to start writing the book that you have always wanted to publish.
1. Start. Writing. Now.
If you have an idea, write it down. Jot your ideas down in a dedicated notebook or folder on your computer, and do not edit yourself, yet. I strongly recommend using your computer, but a notebook is just fine. The goal of this step is to get you motivated, so focus on writing down whatever comes to mind. I will share editing tips with you in a later blog.
2. Devise a plan.
What do you want to write about? You may have one or more stories in mind, but now is the time to pick one idea and stick to it. Which story or idea do you think about the most? What excites you? Answering those two questions may help you choose.
3. Designate A Space to Create.
You can write anywhere, but a designated space in your home may give you motivation. Make the set-up uniquely you, ensure that your space is quiet and comfortable, and surround yourself with anything that inspires you.
4. Designate Time.
I know, I know, you have a full-time job and commitments that make it almost impossible to find the time, but you have more time to write than you think. What about when you are mindlessly scrolling through social media, watching internet videos, or binge-watching the latest hit on Netflix? That time could be time spent working on your book. If 15 minutes a day is all you have, make it the most productive 15 minutes possible. If you only have free time to write on the weekends, schedule a designated writing time. Inspiration can hit you at any moment, so always keep a pen and paper with you. When you are intentional with dedicated time, you will find yourself focused and ready to write.
5. What is Your Genre?
Is your genre Fiction or Non-fiction? Are you writing a Children’s Picture Book, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Biography, or Self-help book? If you are not sure about the genre, visit a bookstore and peruse through books that are similar to your idea, read articles online, or look at books in your home library to determine what genre your book might fit.
6. Who is Your Audience?
Your genre choice will help answer this question, but you should know who you want to reach. I have heard people say that their book is for everyone, but in the publishing industry, that is not the reality. You must choose a defined audience. Do your research to understand how to make the best decision. For example, the children’s book genre consists of distinct categories targeting specific age groups; toddlers, early readers, children’s picture books, Young Adults (YA), and more.
Here are links to some great resources that I believe will help you:
https://writersmarket.com, https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu, https://www.writersdigest.com, https://www.grammarly.com, hemingwayapp.com.
I hope that these tips are useful to you on your writing journey. I look forward to sharing more tips with you in future blogs.
Until next time, keep writing.
Kimberly Barrett Luttery