How to Begin Writing a Book

Just about everyone has entertained the thought of writing a book at one time or another. Just as quickly the consideration that they don't know how to begin writing a book takes hold and that book never comes to fruition. Following these simple simple steps will help you attain your goal of the coveted title of Author.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   All Good Writing Begins With Good Reading

   Believe it or not, the first step has absolutely nothing to do with writing. It's reading. Get familiar with the types of writing that you wish to yourself write. Study the similarities that attract you and how they go about introducing their characters, beginning their introduction and in what voice they are writing.

2. Write a basic summary of your book idea once you know what you want to write about. Sum everything up in rough terms. Don't analyze your writing. This is only for your own use. The idea is to get your idea down on paper so you don't forget your ideas.

3. Compose a comprehensive outline. Again, this is for your use only. You will not be graded like back in school. Before you begin writing any book, you need to write an outline to follow. This will help you brainstorm your ideas out as well as give you something to follow which will prevent writer's block and enable you to finish writing your book much more quickly.

4. 
    
   Define Your Characters Before You Begin to Write a Book

   List your characters on paper. Give them names, physical characteristics, limited background information; Vietnam veteran, college dropout, high school jock, etc and finally, give them personalities; soft spoken and shy, loud and boisterous, genius mathematician with shuddering problem, etc. Refer back to this information as you write. Make sure you stay true to your characters.

5. Start writing and don't stop until the mood is gone. Never stop to edit as you go along. That would ruin your flow. After this, you can start editing. Things to watch beyond spelling and grammar are that you are showing vs telling, not including useless words that don't add to your storyline and that your 'voice' does not change. Your voice changing will confuse your readers.

Tips & Warnings

• Read your book out loud from time to time as you go along. This is a great way to test many aspects of your writing.
• Begin to write your book with action. It's important to grab your reader (and potential publisher) on that very first page.
• Invest in Writer's Digest books. There is no better resource to writers than Writer's Digest.
• Never get so attached emotionally to your book that you can't handle constructive criticism or publisher rejections.

Resources

• Click here to learn about making money writing articles like these. It's a great way to get started as a writer.

[jseven]

on 2/7/2009 Good pointers! I need to save this to my favorites:) 5*

[jbechtold]

on 2/7/2009 Good tips I hope to write cook books some day.5*.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 2/7/2009 Step 5, a winner. Tips for the wise writer about writing a book.

[paige38965]

on 2/7/2009 Thanks for the insight. I have done all the no-no's you have pointed out. (lol) You get a *5*.

[Gracie1402]

on 2/6/2009 that last point about getting "emotionally attached" is SO true when you are writing a book!