Eighty-one percent of respondents to a recent survey said they have a book in them. WOW!
You have just finished reading an interesting piece of writing & hence you’re toying with the idea of writing a piece yourself; especially because you have witnessed a hilarious incident & have been a part of it.
Great idea! But be cautious!
Why?
Writing is an innate ability. Yet it has to be chiselled by consistent perseverance, patience, and training. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned writer or a first time budding writer, who wants to self-publish. The writing process is much more complicated than it seems at first glance.
There are some aspects about writing that you need to know about. Ask yourself a few essential questions before you start working on your book and opt for a creative book cover as well.
- Do you really want to write a whole book of 80000 words, or is it some articles, blogs, podcasts, short story, a screenplay? If the answer is yes, then try writing the first 15000 words, if you’re so excited to write.
- Do you have the patience, time and mental energy to complete a whole book? You should be able to stick to a daily writing schedule (whether or not you feel like) full time. You also may have to sacrifice your other pursuits. You should have passion enough to complete the manuscript.
- Have you thought about the genre? Sticking to a particular genre is important to the readers(at least). It’s because they pick up your book with a certain expectation, be it a thriller or a love story.
- Are you well versed with the plot, main characters, or subject of the story you are about to write? You should be clear regarding the story or at least have a basic frame of the story. Before you actually start writing, have a reasonable idea of the shape and direction of your story.
- Have you researched well on the settings which includes theattires, the surroundings, the food habits, the accessories, the style of speaking, walking, the expressions, etc. the characters of your story should have? You cannot make your readers engrossed into your book unless it is overall convincing. Even in case of unreal fairy tales & sci-fi books; the notion of them should seem true to the audience. A book illustration agency can take care of it to a great extent.
- Have you decided on the POV (point of view)? Depending on your story it is important from whose point of view you’re relating the story.
- Are you clear on the controlling idea? It’s the main reason why you want your story to be told. It could be comedy, or some noble thoughts, or scientific fictions…something you want to inform your audience.
- Can you develop some skills which are not familiar to you like editing, re-writing, converting to e-books, etc.? If the answer is no, then all is lost?Absolutely not!
- You’ll only have to find a book designer, London who’ll also take your opinion on how you would like your book to be.
- Also, you will have to get book layout done, author’s website &mail list created, update your website regularly, send out mails, do book tours& media interviews, attend speaking events, writeblog/guest posts and do lots more for marketing your book.
- You may have to draft & redraft it several times.
If you are game to the above suggestions, then you are ready to start writing a book. Just make sure that it is the right time and you have the time.