What I Recommend to Writers Who Want to Write a Book But Are Unsure How to Begin

I want to write a book.

The idea came to you suddenly, right? Whether you were browsing for books, waiting for an author’s autograph, or sitting in awe after finishing a great novel. And then, before you knew it, you rushed out to buy all the notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and highlighters you could carry.

After you find the perfect “writerly” things online–like a laptop sticker or mug that says, “Writer at Work”–you can’t wait to use them. The second that package arrives, you’re filling up the mug and setting it next to your notebooks so you can start writing plan immediately.

You start your computer, all ready to create something unique. Your fingers keep hovering over the keyboard, and you can feel the excitement building inside you. This is it—the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Onscreen, the cursor blinks endlessly.

The all-white page is quite striking. How did you not notice it before? The incessantly flickering cursor is also quite bothersome.

That’s when you find out your great concept has a second component:

But first, I need to get this off my chest: I want to write a book…but I’m not sure where to begin.

Yes, it’s unfortunate but true that not everyone knows how to write well, but that doesn’t have to mean you can’t either. You might feel overwhelmed and think your writing isn’t good enough (What was I thinking? I can’t do this!), but don’t give up just yet! We are here to assist you so that you can write a book.

8 Tips for What to Do When You Have No Idea How to Write a Book

So many writers have felt this way at some point- lost and without a clue where to start. If you find the same predicament with your writing plan, these seven things can help set you on the right path.

·         Write

Yes, this is self-evident, but starting can be paralyzing. Sometimes we’re afraid of committing our precious thoughts to paper because we might resemble a four-year-old’s Cheerios-and-glue “masterpiece.”

But guess what? They very well may, and that’s fine. Great storytelling takes time, and if it doesn’t put Stephen King, Susanne Collins, or Nora Roberts off, then it shouldn’t stop us either.

Write down your thoughts, try outlining the tale you see yourself writing with one of these techniques, or use the outlining software. Alternatively, start with something modest, such as a short novella or scene.

Our goal, in the beginning, should be to get comfortable on paper and have fun rather than forcing ourselves to write the next Game of Thrones.

·         Read and Reread

When absorbed in a good book idea, it’s easy to forget that every story is a lesson that makes writing great.

The next time you crack open a novel, consider why the characters resonate with you, whether the world-building transports you into new places, and if the plot keeps you turning pages long into the night. Here are some questions to get your puzzler thinking:

• What gave certain persons such enormous proportions?
• Did your emotions, complicated goals, or the truth they represent draw you to them?
• Which scenes and situations appeared the most authentic to you?

Studying where you succumbed to the storyteller’s spell might help you figure out how to do the same for your audience.

·         Join a Writing Group

A supportive community of ghostwriters is one of the best things you can surround yourself with when starting your journey.

This will help connect you to others with similar goals and therefore learn from and support each other. Plus, staying accountable by having creatives in your social circle makes you more likely to write regularly.

·         Collect a War Chest of Knowledge

We all have some natural ability and aptitude, but to become a skilled writer, we must train. Visit Amazon to discover writing resources with lots of positive reviews so you can figure out which ones are best for your growth. Please keep track of the book’s title or ISBN and go to your local bookstore to order it.

The best way to expand your knowledge base is by subscribing to help write blogs. Short learning sessions can be perfect for a busy writer.

We recommend looking into Katie’s sidebars as Helping Writers Become Authors is filled with the storyteller gold. Exploring this page regarding the story’s outlining and structure as understanding how your account works and how it will help you get your first ideas off the ground easier.

Your story structuring database is a great way to see all this plot and structure information.

Characters should also be a top priority since they drive the narrative. Knowing who the people in our stories are and what makes them tick helps us understand what motivates them, allowing us to write their actions and behavior more effectively. Once you get a grip on the plot and character, delve into other storytelling components and methods. There’s so much stuff to learn!

·         Take a Course or Workshop

Investing in guided or self-paced learning may also help you advance. There are a lot of great instructors in the community. Below are some excellent choices, but first, ask whether your writing plan provides members with free or reduced-fee classes.

• Reedsy Learning Center
• Bang2Write Courses
• Jerry Jenkins
• Writing for Life Workshops

·         Look For Step-by-Step Help

You will find a lot of trials along with errors in this business. It’s easy to get sidetracked along the way, which may result in wasted time and effort.

It’s not pleasant when we don’t know what to write next or how to resolve an issue in the narrative. And if we become too angry or our writing stagnates for extended periods, we might abandon it. Having an expert assist as you write can help you stay on track.

Some writers prefer to work with a writing coach to obtain personalized assistance and guidance as they progress.

If you’re considering this, here’s a list to get you started. A benefit is that while you learn a lot about writing throughout the process, it may also become expensive depending on how long you require coaching.

So, one alternative might be the One Stop for Writers’ Storyteller’s Roadmap. This step-by-step guide will make writing your novel simpler than ever before by breaking it down into three manageable sections: planning, writing and revising. You’ll be done before you know it with clear instructions on what to do next and helpful links to extra resources!

The storytelling roadmap gives you the tools to write a great story and provides solutions to common writing problems. The “Code Red” majorly helps you to overcome writer’s block, impostor syndrome, and other issues while you finish your story.

·         Above All Else, Be Fearless

Starting with a book idea may look daunting, and we tend to try and talk ourselves out of our grand ambitions. We fear failing because we believe it is worse never to attempt. Don’t let fear hold you back if you have the desire to write. The world requires compelling stories!

·         Write the Book You Wish to Read

If you find yourself constantly buying and reading books in a particular genre, it may be time to write one of your own. Chances are good that others will enjoy reading your book as much as you enjoyed reading the ones that inspired you.

Final Words:

So, if you’re feeling the itch to write a book but don’t know where to start, I recommend asking for help from a ghostwriter will be a great assistance. It’s helped countless others tap into the creative sides and figure out what makes us tick.

Once you’ve got that figured out, it’ll be much easier for you to start cranking out those pages. Trust us – writing a book is a fantastic experience, and it’s one that more people should try! Have you ever written a book? If not, would you like to? Let me know in the comments below!