So You Want to Write a Book…
What is standing between you and a finished book? Nine times out of ten, it’s not knowing where to start. I’ve been there. I’ve said the words: “Where do I begin?” And I’ve likely listed many of the same reasons—no, excuses—as you.
Where do I begin?
Consider the sage advice my friend gave me over a decade ago that unequivocally eliminated all of my excuses, all of my doubts, and all of the obstacles standing between me and my published book. Just start. Yep. That was it. Two little words that lead to big results. Just start. But they only work if you actually do what they say. Just start.
Just Start.
When I set out to write my first book, I was a single mom starting a brand new career path as an entrepreneur, and I lacked the experience and much of the knowledge about how to write a book. I did not know how to create the structure for a book, where to look for an editor, how much any of it would cost, what my publishing options might be, or how to market a book. I wasn’t even sure I had enough material to write a whole book, nor was I all that confident anyone would genuinely be interested in my story.
Take the First Step.
Against my almost ironclad intuition to map out a plan before taking the first step, I followed my friend’s advice. I decided to just start writing blogs, and then just start writing a memoir.
In the beginning, I wrote short pieces about life experiences I wanted to be sure to capture. They didn’t come to me chronologically or topically. They came at random, so I wrote them as they came. Sometimes one page, other times several. Since many of my ideas came in the car after school drop-off, I recorded them on my phone and typed them after getting my children to bed at night. Over time, I had so many pieces, I sorted them into folders on my laptop. And I kept at it for months until I had enough to begin piecing them together into the early stages of chapters.
Create the First Draft.
I arranged sections in an order that seemed natural to me, then I began writing pieces that would connect them all together and fill in the gaps. I began working with a writing coach, Dr. Roger Leslie, who helped me with my thought process and answered questions about how to put the book together. His advice, “Don’t get it write, get it written,” became my mantra when the perfectionist in me slowed down far too often in order to edit my own work.
Gradually, all the pieces came together to form my first draft. For excellent insight and instruction on writing your first draft, I encourage you to read Dr. Roger Leslie’s guest article on my blog entitled “The First Draft Adventure”.
Discover Your Own Process.
Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, you may choose to outline your story first. Every writer’s process is slightly different, though there are several commonalities. Here’s the key about your writing style though: you won’t know it until you just start. You won’t know if you are an outliner or if you prefer to write by the seat-of-your-pants. You won’t discover whether you will write start-to-finish or pen multiple pieces to put together later, like I did—or any other number of approaches, until you just start writing.
Learn as You Go.
These days, there are so many resources available to us to learn about anything of interest. There are books, online articles, online courses, coaches and mentors, writer’s conferences and webinars, social media platforms, and more. When you aren’t writing, learn about the process and the industry. Here are a handful of resources to get you started:
Talk to a writing coach. I offer this service, as do many others in the industry. I’d be happy to help you get started, get unstuck, get feedback, or get answers about the industry itself.
Read a book. From Inspiration to Publication by Dr. Roger Leslie, my writing coach, mentor, and friend, breaks down all the steps (and fears) of book writing and inspires confidence with practical guidance.
Consume inspiring articles like this one I wrote about my own breakthrough to write: “Overcoming Writer’s Doubt: Fighting Perfectionism”.
Attend a writer’s conference. Here are two I have frequented in Texas: DFW Writer’s Conference in Dallas-Fort Worth and The Writer’s League of Texas’s Agents and Editors Conference in Austin. Or search for one closer to you.
Get my free Publishing Guide when you subscribe to my newsletter. It is a 40-page eBook chock full of links and tips within a broad overview of steps and timelines for the book writing and publishing process. It’s a great place to start!
Join an online community. These are mine on Facebook and Instagram. Here, my authors, colleagues, and others in the industry find connection and community.
Free Publishing Guide from Andria Flores
If we haven’t met yet, I am Andria Flores: author, editor, and recovering perfectionist. For more articles like this one, connection to a supportive author network, and trusted publishing resources, subscribe to my newsletter today. When you do, I’ll send you my free Publishing Guide as a gift (and I won’t blow up your inbox every week.) My 40+ page eBook is a step-by-step guide through the publishing process, including proven tips, tricks, and links you can use along the way. Get yours here!
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