Wednesday, February 25, 2009

7 Tips on How to Write a Book


Here are 7 great tips to get you on the road to finishing your book! Please feel free to add your own tips or comments.

1. Write your book. Whether it’s non-fiction or fiction, Fantasy, Autobiography, Crime or Mystery, just write what you feel. Never worry about editing as you go; as that will bury your creativity.

2. Find a quiet place to write. An extra bedroom, office, or even a garage (preferably heated), are all good places “away from it all.” Never look for your muse where friends or family are always interrupting you.

3. Set time aside to write. It takes time to find your inspiration to write. It’s not likely you will write well or accomplish much in a ten minute session. Allow yourself at least two hours to work on your writing project.

4. Choose you books topic according to demand. Are there a million books already written which follow the path of your story or subject? Is there even an audience out there who will buy your book? With nearly 30 books being released in the U.S. every hour of every day, the competition is fierce. If you plan to sell your book to the reading public, make sure you will have a customer base before you put your time and money into publishing a book.

5. Draw an outline for your book before you begin. A well drawn out outline will keep you focused on your total project. Outline your story or information. For fiction book writing, an outline of your plot, when to introduce your characters, and path of the story, that is, the beginning, middle, and ending placed into chronological order. For non-fiction book writing, the same applies. Organize your information into a logical and useful order.

6. Choose your title carefully. Not only is a catchy title a must, but for non-fiction and some fiction books, your title words will most likely be used as “key words” when a potential book buyer searches the Internet for a book similar to yours.

7. Once your book is complete, find a professional editor to fix your mistakes. Spell Check in your writing software is not enough to handle the job.

Carol Denbow is the author of five books, including A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story, available at Amazon.com. She is also a regular contributor to numerous writers’ websites and newsletters and has been a featured guest on radio and television.

Please visit Carol’s Websites at Author’s Box at http://www.authorsbox.com and Books By Denbow at http://www.booksbydenbow.weebly.com.

5 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I totally agree with #4! I encounter more writers who are working on projects that probably have little or no market. And I am a firm believer in outlining. How does one know where a story is going if there is no end?

Great tips, Carol!

L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net

Sheila Deeth said...

Ah, it's number four that I find difficult. I thought I'd found a gap in the market, and a reason why lots of people would like it filled, but convincing a publisher that it needs filling is a much harder task.

Anonymous said...

I found this to be very interesting and will try to put it to test. My last novel (first draft) I wrote in 5 days because it hit me out of the blue and so far have only made minor spelling corrections in it. Have a nice time in Hawaii.
Always,
Richart Drake Lewis

Politifoll said...

Great advice for anyone looking to effectively get through the maze!-
Good luck in all you do- thanks for posting such a useful note-
I will link up on other sites for you-
Poetrydances
Tony.

anniversary gifts said...

I agree with you I know more writers who are working on projects that probably have little or no market. And I am a firm believer in one line outlining. How does one know where a story is going to end?