How to Write Your First Book
Writing your first book requires time and energy. It requires you to do research and make outlines. You need to set goals and meet those goals. Whether your book is fiction or non-fiction, the most important step in writing your first book is to sit down and write. Having an idea for a book is the beginning. Turning that idea into a book is your primary goal. The steps you need to take to reach that goal are less complex than you may imagine.
Instructions
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State your idea in one concise sentence. Imagine someone asks you what your book is about, and you must answer in one simple sentence. This creates a focal point for your first outline.
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Type this sentence at the top of the page. Below this sentence, write a paragraph detailing the idea of your book. Below this paragraph write three subtopics for your main topic.
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For each subtopic, write one concise sentence, followed by a paragraph. Build on this outline. Add a subtopic and then write a sentence followed by a paragraph. Don’t get caught up in the order of topics or length of the paragraphs. This outline is for generating and defining ideas.
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Once you feel you’ve covered all your subtopics, leave it for a day. Return with a fresh eye and begin organizing your subtopics into a cohesive order. Using your one-sentence headers, develop your formal outline. Make two copies of each outline and keep them in a notebook or folder next to your desk.
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Research needs to be organized and instantly accessible to be of use. Using folders, file folders or expandable files, label the files with your subtopics. As you research, file the appropriate material within each folder.When you begin your research, set a date as to when you will stop researching. This is your first deadline. For example, you may allow yourself three month for research. Once you reach that point, stop researching and focus on writing.
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During the time you’re gathering your research, set aside at least one hour each day for preliminary writing. For example, if one of your subtopics were “Maria’s conflict with Henry,” you would spend an hour one day writing scenes and dialogue for Maria and Henry. If one of your subtopics is “Building positive relationships with siblings,” spend an hour writing to at least one major point within that topic based on your research.The preliminary writing keeps your mind focused on the main topic of your book. You can write to whatever topic strikes your fancy on any given day, but you do need to continually build on your topic while researching.
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Once you’ve reached your research deadline, start writing. Set a goal as to how many words you will write each day. You can go over that word count, but you cannot stop for the day until you have reached that goal.
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Start at the beginning. Write page one. Keep writing straight through. Use your research and material you have already written. Refer to both your outlines. Don’t stop to edit or return to a previous chapter and make changes. If you know you need to make a change, make a note of it on your outlines, but don’t stop writing to edit or reorganize something you’ve already written. Write until you've written the last word.
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Once you’ve completed your book, take a week off from it. Walk away. Return with a fresh eye. You are now going to rewrite your book.
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Look at the notes you kept on your outlines regarding changes. Make those changes first. Once those are complete, set a goal to edit a chapter a day. Continue to make notes and refer to your outlines and first draft. Once you have edited each chapter and are satisfied with your changes, your manuscript is complete. You have written your first book.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need to take a day off during the writing process, don't try to double up the word count the next day. Simply pick it back up and continue to meet that daily goal.
