Unleashing the author within – Start writing your own book in just 9 steps
Whether you’ve been sitting on a great idea for some time or have just dreamt up a fantastic plot that you can’t stop thinking about, embarking on the journey of becoming an author and writing your own book is an exciting step. It can however be particularly daunting. It’s one of the reasons why just 3% of the people who begin to write a novel go onto finish it, and only 0.6% of those take it all the way through to publication.
Penning a novel, memoir or non-fiction piece however is something I’d recommend to everyone, whether you have the natural writing talent to see things through or not. Authors come from all walks of life, which makes the stories they tell through the words they write even more interesting and intriguing.
For those of you who don’t know, I have proudly penned a book. Live Your Life is an education manual on overcoming the trials and tribulations of life, and covers everything from chasing happiness and positivity to embracing technology and change. Whatever your doubts or reservations, I’m here to say, you can do the same! Here I share nine steps to take to get started…
Step 1 – Define your purpose and audience
Understanding why you want to write a book and who you are writing it for is a great place for any author to begin. By knowing your purpose and audience, you’ll gather all the information you need to guide your tone, style and the content within, and it’ll make your writing more focused and engaging.
Step 2 – Work on developing a clearer idea
Every great creative work crafted by an author starts life as a seed of an idea. Even the strongest central idea or theme however needs a little work.
Get to the bare bones of your idea by outlining the main points or story arcs you want to cover in your book. This will serve as your roadmap, helping you to stay on track and ensuring your book has a clear direction every step of the way.
Step 3 – Set yourself a few (realistic) goals
Treat penning your own book like any other project by setting daily or weekly goals to maintain steady progress. Most authors base these milestones on word count.
By breaking down the writing process into manageable tasks, you’ll achieve so much more as an author. But remember, consistency is key! Add uniformity to the way you write by creating a schedule that complements your lifestyle, and do your very best to stick to it.
Step 4 – Create an outline before you get writing
An outline can also be particularly useful for keeping things on track. It’ll help you organise your thoughts as well as provide a structured framework for your book. Your outline can be as detailed or as loose as you like, but should include the main chapters or sections alongside a brief summary of what each will cover.
Step 5 – It’s time to start writing!
Finally, you can get started with the writing, and contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t wait around for the perfect moment or the perfect words. Procrastination is the professional author’s number one enemy, so don’t hang about!
Start writing, even if it’s just a rough draft. The important thing is to get your ideas down on paper. You can always revise and improve later.
Step 6 – Find your voice as an author
Every author has their own unique voice, and it’s a style that will feel completely natural to you. Your voice is what will make your book stand out, and distinguish it from many others. Don’t try to mimic other authors, instead focus on how you can best convey your story or message.
Step 7 – Accept the realities of book writing
Writing a book involves multiple drafts, which makes the process particularly time consuming and, at times, rather tedious. After completing your first draft, take a break before revising. This allows you to return to writing with fresh eyes.
Edit for clarity, coherence and consistency in the first instance before going through the story itself with a fine-tooth comb. Don’t be afraid to make significant changes if needed.
Step 8 – Ask for as much feedback as you can
So you’ve finished your initial draft, and revised it time and time again. Before you put it out there, share your work with trusted friends, family, or even a local writing group. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement that you can’t see yourself. Be open to suggestions but stay true to your vision.
Step 9 – Persevere! It’s completely worth it
Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the small milestones, stay connected with other writers and authors, and remind yourself why you got started in the first place. Persistence and passion will see you through to the finish line, and the satisfaction will be incredible.
