Question from reader: What advice do you have for aspiring authors who are not yet motivated enough or knowledgeable enough to get started?
John's Answer: First, people who are not yet motivated enough to get started are not really authors. People who are not yet knowledgeable enough are also not really authors. At least not professional authors.
Now, given that, authors who want to write a book but do not yet know how to go about it and don't quite know how to get started -- the desire is enough. If you have a passion for your topic and for your book, you can write a book. Start simply.
1. Begin by reading a lot of books on the subject you want to write about. Get educated. Discover what others have written so you can make your book better, different, or more targeted.
If you are writing a novel, then read good novels in your genre (romance, mysteries, fantasy, etc.). Read some of the classics as well as some more recent fiction. Get to know the history and current style of the genre you want to write.
Similarly, if you are working on a nonfiction book, read bestselling or highly recommended books on your specific topic. Again, read some classics as well as some more recent books.
2. Sit down and start writing. Write one to four pages a day. Don't worry about how good it is. Just get started writing.
3. Outline your book. Once you've gotten a week or two worth of writing collected, begin to outline how you want to write your book. If nonfiction, outline the chapters or step-by-step description you want to focus on. If fiction, develop and outline your plot, setting, and major characters.
4. Start at the beginning. Once you have an idea of the whole shape of your book (chapter by chapter outline or a plot), now begin writing your book. Start at the beginning of the book (for nonfiction, you can write the introduction later; start with the nuts and bolts content for your book). Write something every day. Set aside some time to write.
5. Research as you write. If you find as you write your book that you need to do some more research, do that now. Then go back to writing.
6. Get feedback from someone you trust, someone who will not criticize but who can give you honest feedback about your writing style as well as the content of your book.
7. Don't give up. If you write four pages a day, you'll have a book in less than six months. If you write five pages a week, you'll have a book within a year.
8. Create content, no matter the format. If you can't write a book despite all this advice, then create a tape, do a video, write a blog, create a new website, interview others. Get your content and inspiration out somehow. You can always write a book later.
Reposted with permission: http://blog.bookmarket.com/2010/06/advice-to-would-be-book-authors.html
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
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I read your article with interest being a new Author. I wrote a novel Archimedes' Claw which I self published in Aug of 2011. Your advice is excellent and reflects what I actually learned in the process of writing my first novel.
ReplyDeleteOnce I knew what I wanted to write about, I began my research into the necessary history around the subject. The prologue took me four months to write and research. Essentially, I felt it was the historical platform for my novel.I was compelled to get it right, even resorteded to asking a professor friend to help me translate ancient Greek.
Once that was done I started the story which takes place in moderm time. Research was still essential.I read maps and looked at plans of buildings before I wrote about the places in my fiction. I could have invented them I suppose but I wanted a product that was plausable fiction.
The hardest part was the pulnge I took in researching the real science related to my science fiction.
The net result after numerous edits and revisions was a story that my readers say they can't put down.I struggled to never end a chapter that did not leave the reader wanting to start the next.
Theodore Morrison Homa MD
Also wanted to note that blogging is a most helpful tool to show others that you have the talent to tell a story. The most welcome news for me as a blogger is that a someone cares to read what I have written and comments about it.You know who the serious commenters are by the way they construct their comment. I have subscribed to your blog and look forward to future correspondence.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips here.
ReplyDeleteI had a YA fantasy story idea in my head for a long time. I was afraid to start writing it, because I thought it would never be as great on paper as I see it in my head. I REALLY wanted to write though. Back in November I began writing my story... it's been a slow process, but I'm very, very happy about mustering up the courage to write it. I'm only about 17,000 words in, but I'm 16 and in high school. I have so much going on in my life other than my book!
Lately I've been giving almost all my "good" free time to writing. "Good" as in "I'm not extremely tired and brain dead."
I hope that someone see's your advise here, and writes beautiful art.