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Step 1
First, you need to find viable ideas for your books.
From a non-fiction standpoint, if you're an expert in any industry there are people who may want to learn information from you that they're not going to get in an other educational settings. Keep in mind that the writing process is a lot easier when you're also passionate about the topic.
Fiction ideas are only limited by your imagination, but you want to construct stories that can easily be made book-length and are appealing to readers. What I did before writing my novels was publish short stories online--this not only gives you practice but allows you to get feedback on characters and plots before you use them in a major project. -
Step 2
Realize that most book projects can take anywhere from a few months to several years--plan on it being a part of your life long-term.
Creating a book has three main stages before publication--preparation, the actual writing of the book, and the editing/revision process. It's been my experience that if you spend more time preparing on the front end, the other two stages go faster and more smoothly.
While you don't have to put yourself on a strict schedule, getting in a habit of writing at least 10-15 hours a week is helpful if you want to get things accomplished. I did this even with having a full-time job and other obligations. When it got to the point it financially made sense, I cut back on my job hours and started writing closer to 30 hours a week. This did not happen overnight, but realize the more effort you put into each writing project gives you more leverage as well. -
Step 3
The preparation stage is the most important--don't rush it.
In non-fiction, this is the stage where you're gathering all of your research and organizing your ideas. In fiction, you need to develop your characters and setting to the point where they're believable. -
Step 4
As your writing the book, break it down into small and manageable pieces.
Treat each chapter and scene as it's own small project, and you won't be overwhelmed by even a massive book. -
Step 5
Edit until you're tired of editing--then edit some more.
I compare the editing process to refining a metal--what you start off with is going to be rough, but with each pass it gets closer to where it needs to be. Don't expect perfection (it doesn't exist), but don't neglect this stage either. It also helps if you have a few trusted friends who can help you in areas where you're weak and catch things that you may have missed. -
Step 6
Publication through traditional publishers and self-publishing are both good options.
I think in the past there was almost a snubbing of self-publishing, which wasn't helped by the high number of vanity presses and scams that caused authors not only to lose money but damaged their motivation to keep going with their books.
Today that's not so much the case--there are scams still out there, but there are also good and legitimate self-publishing and publishing-on-demand companies that can help you sell your books online. I personally use Lulu.com and Amazon's Kindle system for distribution, and I would recommend either to anyone wanting to start out. The main way to spot a scam are the words, "We love your book, and if you only pay us $X,XXX we'll help you make it a best seller." The only thing I've ever had to spend out-of-pocket as an author is for proof copies of my paperbacks to make sure they looked the way I wanted. I have never had to spend a dime to publish an e-book--the publisher should just get a percentage when one is sold.
Traditional publishers do have more resources and distribution power at their disposal and should not be ignored if you think your work is a good fit. The Writer's Market book series is a great place to find traditional publishers and has guidelines as far as how to send submissions and query letters. -
Step 7
After your book is finished, focus on marketing.
For me, this is a fun part of the process because as an author you can be creative. Online, you can do giveaways, post links to your book at the bottom of smaller writing projects, and network with other writers about your work. Offline, I've found just letting people know that you've written a book leads to a lot of word-of-mouth promotion.
I hope these ideas and tips have helped you. Good luck and best wishes on your book!
Comments
PORAMA said
on 10/30/2009 Thanks for sharing, I agree, " passionate, edit, edit and edit" . 5*.