How to Write A Book!

Dreams of writing are hidden within us all. Book lovers never cease to re-write the ending of their favorite books. Writing a book and getting it published is no longer the out-of-reach dream of your Grandmother's world. Writing a book can be quite easy, if you follow my advice!

Instructions

1. Planning!
   I was always told to "write what I know!" Good advice, but what does that mean? I spent a year writing up a list of things I knew something about. Then I broke the list down into things I was actually interested in. Writing about things that interest you is much more fun! So at the end of the year I had taken a list of about 700 "know-how" into a list of about 50 things I was really interested in.
   Once I chose a topic, the hard part was over. I have been obsessed with mysteries of all kinds since childhood. For those that don't have their genre picked out; Mystery, Suspense, Drama, Biography, the list is endless. Chose your genre and stick to it.

2. Writing:
   The story always begins at the beginning, right? Wrong! My stories always begin at the end. You cannot write a mystery and not know who done it! If you do, you will find yourself editing for years as you return time and time again to fix a plot. Start at the end, chose the ending wisely, and then begin writing.

3. The Hard Part, writing!
   Writing a book is simply the discipline of sitting in a chair and writing. Most well know writers have a ridged schedule they adhere to. I write 4 hours a day; two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. I edit one chapter a day! That is my goal for 5 days a week. If you are serious about writing then you must be serious about your schedule. Things happen, people call, people come over, but I am in charge of 4 hours a day writing. I have learned to always have a pad of paper with me. Set your schedule and stick to it!
   Characters: Have a filing system that has a folder for every character. Drop a note in that folder every time you add something to that character. Put page number or chapter number for easy reference later.
   Proof reading: When you write a sentence your brain will only allow you to read that sentence like you THOUGHT you wrote it. Read your work out-loud and word-for-word!
   Naming your Characters:
   Collect names like you would collect stamps. Every time you read a name you like, write it down. Keep a folder of names! Don't ever name a character that you have to kill off after a relative or friend!
   Try different manners of writing: Pad and paper, typing, computer processing, tape recording. One of these will be your major way of writing. Use the preferred means always!
   In today's market you do not have to have an agent, or a major publisher to write a book. There are many self-publishing agencies that will publish your book for free! You only have to provide the story!

Tips & Warnings

• Set a schedule!

• Write what you know!

• Never give up!

• Don't quit your day job until you're on Oprah!