You know you have a story, and you know that it deserves to be shared with the world. And if any of your friends, family members, or colleagues have ever told you that you should write a book, then chances are that you should trust their judgement! But as even the most talented and world renowned authors will attest, “writing a book” isn’t an easy thing to do. It’s not as simple as simply sitting down in front of your computer and starting to type. It can be a daunting endeavor, especially when you are first getting started, or if you’ve never taken a class on how to write a book.

So if you have initial hesitation about how to write a book and getting your story out of your head and onto the page, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Every writer faces challenges when writing a book, (and especially when they are first starting to write.) The good news is that there is always a way to overcome every obstacle. From beginning that first draft, to finding a publisher to share your story with the world, anyone can write a book and succeed!

If you’re ready to share your story, and need a little boost to start writing, then read on to uncover what you need to know about the book writing process.

First Steps for How to Write a Book

From Stephen King to Shakespeare, one of the most difficult challenges for authors across the board is the process of getting started. You know you have a story, but how do you flesh out your memories, thoughts, and ideas into a book to share?

Before you start writing, be sure to consider the following guidelines which will help you shape the way forward. A solid and strong idea is the best start to ensuring that you keep writing in the days, weeks, and potential months to come. Your outline keeps you focused while staying on track and sticking to your story.

The Outline

You don’t have to draft a long, detailed and organized outline in order for your book to take shape. Simply start sketching out how your book will progress, and focus on the integral parts that matter the most.

For example, you may want to consider the following questions before you even begin to type:

• Where should your book begin?
• Where should your book end?
• What are the most important plot developments in your book, and when do they occur?
• How will your protagonist be different from the first page to the last page?
• What do you want your readers to understand, learn, or takeaway after finishing your book?

Try answering these questions in any way you see fit, and then flesh out what happens in between the most important developments. By having a sense of how and when your story should progress, you’ll have a much easier time moving forward throughout the writing process.

Tips to Stay Motivated as You Learn How to Write a Book

Once you have an outline, (or at least a semi-formed idea of how your book will progress), it’s time to start writing. And if you’re like many world-famous authors, then chances are that you’ll have moments where you catch a case of writer’s block and simply stare at a blank page.

But it won’t do any good to get discouraged. Staying motivated to keep writing is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a book. Luckily, there are plenty of tips you can employ to keep going forward until you reach that final chapter.

Have a schedule.

Many authors find that it’s helpful to have a set time and place to write. This is because it’s easier to stick to a strict schedule rather than just write whenever you have the time. Much like you would set a time to exercise, you would set a time for writing your book.

Make writing a priority.

It’s easy to procrastinate when you have a busy life, and other daily tasks seem to take center stage. But make sure that writing remains a top priority every day! Remind yourself regularly of the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when your book is complete. And more importantly, remind yourself of how essential your story can be when shared with the world. By understanding the importance to keep writing, it will be much easier to stay motivated whenever it’s time to write.

Set a word count.

Some authors find that it is helpful to set a daily word count that they must adhere to. You can keep it modest – like 500 or 1,000 words a day. Or you can come up with a larger goal, like 10,000 words per week. Setting little goals like a daily word count makes it easier to navigate the seemingly daunting project of writing a book.

Enlist a book coach.

A book coach or writing coach is an exceptional resource for new writers, and any author who needs that extra boost to keep going! Essentially, a book coach will guide you through every step of the process – from forming that initial outline to reaching out to publishers. In addition, they can provide feedback on your work, and offer advice all along the way.

Get support.

A book coach can obviously provide you with ample support while you’re writing your book. But you can also enlist encouragement from friends and family members as well. Ask a couple of trusted people in your life to read your work along the way, and to provide constructive feedback. This will not only help you stay motivated, but it will also help you to identify any issues with tone, flow or plot points early on in the writing process.

Understanding length

One of the biggest questions that new authors tend to have is “How long should my book be?”. And the answer is simply “it depends.”

Do you want to utilize a book to help boost your business or your career? You can often write a short business card book that will put your profession in the spotlight, and will transform you into a voice of authority in your field.

However, are you thinking of writing a memoir, fiction novel, or nonfiction work? Then chances are you have a lengthier endeavor ahead.

As a rough guideline, here’s a sample of general word counts for different types of literature.

• 10,000 words is equivalent to a pamphlet, or a brief business card book which takes roughly 30-60 minutes to read.
• 20,000 words is equivalent to a longer business card book, a short eBook, or a brief novella which takes approximately 1-2 hours to read.
• 40,000–60,000 words is equivalent to a standard nonfiction book, or a novella or shorter novel, like “The Great Gatsby.” These books usually take about 3-5 hours to read.
• 60,000–80,000 words is equivalent to a longer nonfiction book, a memoir, or a standard fiction book, and this generally takes 4-7 hours to read.
• 80,000 -100,000 words is equivalent to a longer novel or memoir, which takes roughly six hours or more to read.
• 100,000 words or more is typical an epic novel or an academic nonfiction book. This generally takes eight hours or more to read. (Remember, too, if you have a sweeping epic story, you can always break it out into multiple books – like the Harry Potter series.)

Don’t forget that you might not know just how long your book will be, and this is also perfectly OK! Just start writing, and keep your rough outline in mind, and often your book length will simply be determined on its own.

The revision and editing process

You’ve spent days and weeks writing, and after tons of hard work, you have finally reached the last page! But just because you are done crafting your story, it doesn’t automatically mean that it’s time to ship it off to different book publishers or literary agents. Instead, it’s time to start the revision process.

Spelling and grammar are instrumental when it comes to writing a book. This is because you don’t want any mistakes to get in the way of the clarity of your story. Think of the last time you’ve read an article a book where you noticed a mistake. Chances are that it was jarring, and momentarily took your head out of the story. If it was a nonfiction work, it may also lead you to question the author’s credibility as well.

Also keep in mind that publishers and literary agents notice these mistakes too. And if you are going the traditional publishing route, then it’s more important than ever to ensure that your book is as clear and readable as possible.

So once your last page is complete, consider the following guidelines for ensuring you can easily and effectively revise your finished work.

Hire a copyeditor.

Copyeditors are often available on a freelance basis through online job sites. Plus they can provide a valuable second set of eyes when it comes to evaluating your work. The cost for hiring a temporary copyeditor can vary, depending on the length of your book as well as your editor’s level of experience and expertise. But it may be a valuable investment for first-time writers.

Find support close to home.

If you don’t have the resources for a copyeditor, then reach out to find help in your own inner and outer circles. Ask friends and family members to proofread your book. Or you can join a local writing club to have some extra support when it comes to revisions.

Print out your draft!

It’s hard to catch mistakes when you’ve read your story over and over, but it’s a lot easier when you review your final work in print. Print out a copy of your work, grab a red pen, and start reading like it’s the first time you’ve ever seen your story. By getting into the mindset of an editor, you’ll have an easier time catching those mistakes.

Look out for big picture edits too!

One of the keys to revision is obviously to double check for spelling and grammar mistakes. But you’ll also want to keep an eye on the bigger pictures items as well. For example, does your plot progress naturally? Do your characters and their interactions make sense? Are there any parts of your story that could be confusing or jarring? Your copyeditor or proofreader can help you identify any larger issues when it comes to the overall quality of your work.

Thoughts on Publishing after You’ve Learned How to Write a Book

Writing a book is certainly challenging. But authors may encounter a new set of obstacles when their book is complete, and it’s time for publishing the book.

Luckily, in our modern era, there are all sorts of options when it comes to publishing your story! You can reach out to a traditional publishing house or literary agent, self-publish on Amazon or other online book retailers. Or you can find an “in between” route by enlisting the services of a partner publisher.

Explore your options, and find out what works best for your type of story. Remember, if you have questions, you can always hire a book coach later in the process who can review your work and provide guidance on the logical next steps – from cover design to pricing your book.

Above all else, never give up, and keep going!

There’s a reason why more than 90% of would-be authors never finish writing their story. This is because it can be difficult to stay motivated, and to keep going.

You will likely hit a writer’s block every now and then, or have a few days where you can’t find time to write. Or you might simply encounter a little discouragement along the way.

But never slow down, and don’t let any real or imaginary obstacles slow your progress! You know that you have an invaluable story to share, and putting your words on paper will have a wealth of rewards – from financial benefits, to the satisfaction that you have a printed book to treasure for decades to come.

Have a Story to Share? Don’t Wait! Learn How to Write a Book Right at Home!

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Take a huge step forward in creating a book that will inspire people for years to come, and sign up for Book Bound Online today. This program will give you the essential information to transform your ability to write and publish your book. Find out how Book Bound Online is your best right-at-home resource for sharing your story with the world.

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