How To Write A Book - A Writers Guide

Maybe you've thought about starting a book, but you're left wondering exactly how to write a book. Perhaps you have an idea for a children's book - that's a good start. However, if you really want to write a book of your own, you need a good guide that will help you ensure it gets done and you aren't working on the same book 10 years from now.

Of course, commitment is one of the first essentials that you'll need. With commitment on your side, you have a great shot at becoming the next published author. Here is a simple writer's guide to follow that will help you go through the process of writing a good book.

Know the Subject

If you want to know how to write a book, the first step is to know the subject you'll be writing on. Go with a subject you enjoy or one that you have a lot of expertise in. Just remember, no matter the subject, you need to ensure there is a demand for that information.

Decide on the Audience

Now it's time to decide on the audience for your book. Ask yourself what the age of the children will be who are reading your work. Will this age require illustrations? You want a book that will fill a specific need. Once you know the audience, you can make sure your book caters to that audience.

Write a Short Summary

Next, write a short summary of the book. With just 1-4 sentences, summarize the entire book. This will take a bit of thinking on your part, which will help you to begin to craft the book in your mind. This summary can become your mission statement for the book to keep you focused as you write and make sure you stay on task and on subject.

Choose the Title for the Book

The next step to take if you're wondering how to write a book is to choose the title for the book. You need a title that is focused and compelling. A good title will make it easier for you to write the book and will keep you focused on the direction you're going in while you are writing.

Write Summaries for Every Character

Write down all of the characters you plan on using within your book. Then, write summaries for every character. Start out with a paragraph for each one and then build up to an entire page for each character if you are writing a longer book. The better you know the characters, the better your book will read.

Develop a List of Scenes

Another great idea to help you write a book is to develop a list of scenes. List all the scenes that are needed to turn your idea into a book. You can write this down on paper or you can put the list into a spreadsheet. Then you can use this list of scenes to guide you as you begin the writing process.

Start Writing

Now you're actually ready to begin writing. All of the previous steps will help you in the writing process. You'll have your summary, title, character summaries, and list of scenes to help you as you are doing the actual writing. Create specific times to write to ensure that you write every day if at all possible.

Take Time to Edit

When many people want to know how to write a book, they often forget about taking time to edit what they write. However, some writers make the editing phase take too long. Don't allow editing to become an exercise in procrastination. Get in there and start editing. Cut areas that are not needed in the book. Edit grammar and make any changes in the storyline that are needed. Just don't allow this to take so long that it gets you off track.

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What's Creative Writing? Tips for New Writers

Creative writing starts with passion. Therefore, if you want to be a creative writer, the first thing to do is identify your passion. Then write out of your passion. But how? - is what you have to say best suited to poetry, short story, non-fiction article or novel? Your next step is to ask yourself what you love to read. Whatever it is - that's what you could start to write.

Let's say you want to start writing a novel. Think of a phrase that's the perfect title for a book. That could be your starting point. And so now you are on a new threshold.

We can learn a lot from our ancestors. For instance, if you visit the Museum of London's prehistoric galleries, you'll find that Bronze Age people would build their roundhouses with the entrance facing the midwinter solstice. They would then consult their ancestors before making an offering to the new threshold. Now, perhaps modern builders have a comparable ritual - I don't know. But if they don't - perhaps they should. And so should those embarking on a long-term building project like a novel. I love the idea of "making an offering to a new threshold." And what I have to say here is like an offering to the new threshold.

First, where do your ideas come from? From life itself, all around you, wherever you are. Ideas fly past, and you catch them. Listen to conversations in every situation. Observe people. Eavesdrop whilst sitting on the top deck of a bus. Have notebooks with you at all times - and keep notes. And if you have a notebook system, you have to build in time to review your notebooks and retrieve your ideas.

Then you have to apply the first secret of writing:

1. Avoid Not Writing - take your craft seriously; believe that what you're doing is of sufficient value that you are going to carve out time for it. Book time for it if necessary - put it in your diary. Get in there and do it. Don't be afraid of the blank screen or blank page.

2. Pay attention to structure - break down the book in your head into an Outline. You could do it on a piece of software like Scrivener, or you could do it through a wall of Post It Notes, or you could plot it on a storyboard; or you could write your novel as a short story first. But realise that you are unique and may have your own special way of working that is right for you. With a novel, sometimes writers find they can't plot too far ahead (though be aware you may have to go back and impose structure later). If that is the case for you -

3. Go on the journey and see what happens. If a character develops a life of his or her own it's a good sign. Some say the characters create the plot. Keep asking why, what, where, how, when.

4. Set yourself a goal of a thousand words per working day, if you respond well to deadlines and schedules. If not write anyway.

5. Don't talk your novel out of existence. Write that first draft. I believe it's not a good idea to discuss the details of your novel with anyone until you've written it. Then you can seek feedback, and redraft, and revise and revise and revise.

Finally, when your book is finished to the very best of your ability and beyond, send it off to literary agents. And be prepared for rejection. Remember - you write because you are compelled to, because you cannot "not write". Take note of these wise words from popular author Adrian Plass: "If things fall apart, pick up the pieces and carry on. Don't despair. There are strange things going on behind the scenes."

S.C. Skillman is the author of exciting new psychological thriller novel "Mystical Circles". The word "mystical" in the title is used ironically to mean "mysterious behaviour, events that keep you guessing, and people playing at cross purposes". Reviewers have enjoyed Skillman's "exploration of a community of complex characters who inhabit an eerie and atmospheric retreat" and have found it "a very entertaining read with plenty of action and sparky dialogue." If you are interested in people and their foibles you will enjoy this book. You can buy the novel on Amazon and through the Kindle Bookstore or visit the author's website to find out more. Click the secure payment gateway to buy a signed copy at http://www.scskillman.co.uk/.