So, You Want To Write A Book. Great. Just sit down and write. Easy. Job done.
OK, I know. It’s never quite that simple, is it?
But it should, and could be. You just need to know a few simple ‘rules’ first. I hesitate to call them rules, as once you write you’ll realise the rules get broken all the time.
At the start though, it’s good to follow a few. After all, you’ve been putting this off for ages anyway, so a few more days to learn from those who’ve gone before can’t hurt.
I coach new writers, and the question I’m asked more than any other is about credentials.
- Do I need to study?
- Do I need a degree?
- I’m not very good at spelling. Will it matter?
- I didn’t pass many exams at school, so can I be a writer?
I’m paraphrasing, as many budding writers and authors start with, ‘I know I won’t be able to do it because…’
They’ve already adopted a negative mindset and talked themselves out of it. Before they even have a go.
I’m going to give you a kick-start by suggesting five things that will help you start that novel this week. Yes, that soon, maybe even today.
No more procrastination, no more putting it on a back burner or just ignoring that nagging idea in the back of your mind. Follow these simple steps and you can get started on that book.
Just imagine in a year, six months, or sooner, you can have a book with your author name on the spine. Or not. Maybe you don’t want to publish, but just want to get the words down on record.
That said, why not share it with others? If it matters enough to you to put it in a book, others will get value from it too.
Whatever your motivation, let’s get started.
1 – Mindset (I can’t. Can I?)
I know it’s a buzzword right now, but attitude, confidence, the dreaded ‘can do’ approach. Whatever you call it, you need it. Every time you catch yourself expressing doubt, stop. Lock that idea away. You will always, but always be able to make an excuse why you shouldn’t be a writer. Tell yourself why that book will never see the light of day. Why you aren’t good enough, young enough, clever enough. You’re too busy, don’t know how, you get the idea. That’s fine, make excuses and at those pearly gates, or on your grave stone you can say ‘but at least I thought about it.’
Look in the mirror. Tell yourself every day you are a writer. Believe it.
2 – Brains (I’m not clever enough)
You may not have a degree, or any exam certificates, but that doesn’t matter. You aren’t here to go cap in hand to an employer for a hard-earned wage, you are here to write a book.
You will need to study, but not in a classroom, unless you choose to. You need to read. Alot. Books or blogs on the writing craft. Books or online forums that publish work in your chosen genre. Then even more books. Make friends with your library and local bookshop.
Sadly, many book clubs and writer’s forums still hold on to the old snobbery and exclusivity around writing, especially authorship. They sneer at some, criticise others, imply if you haven’t read Dostoevsky or can’t quote Shakespeare, you aren’t worthy as a writer. Rubbish. Don’t let that intimidate you. This isn’t just the domain of old musty professors, either. In fact, most of those believe you should experiment, learn, give it a go, get it written.
Just yesterday I read an article by someone young, who suggested a book written in less than a year is unreadable. I didn’t get angry, I felt sad. They were so judgmental. They will miss out on so much great fiction, simply by imposing their own limited beliefs on the writing process and those who choose a different path to their own. I also wondered how the heck they’d even know how long it took to write. Some take a lifetime, others a week, but who knows? Yes, it comes back to those ‘rules’ again.
3 – Time (I’ll do it when I retire, maybe)
Life is short. Retirement, old age, is not guaranteed. If you want to achieve something, you need to make it a priority. Yes, we are all busy. Day jobs, family commitments, the list goes on. But if you want to write this book, you need to commit to that, too. Even fifteen or thirty minutes a day. Decide it is happening, not someday, but today.
I challenge you to make a note of how you spend your time. Be honest. I’m guessing there will be time to write, if you just adopt a new schedule. Drop something else. Sat on the train, at the bus stop, waiting for the kettle to boil. All those five minutes here and there add up. Use them too. If you have time to watch TV, great, you don’t have to stop, but maybe limit the time you spend doing it. We can all make time for our passions if we put our minds to it. Back to the mindset shift.
4 – Know How (I don’t know where to start)
The best research is to read. Yes, I said that already, but it’s key. Buy or borrow the top three books in your chosen genre. I’m guessing you know roughly what you want to write. Unicorn romance, sci-fi battles, Cold War spy adventures, we all know what we love.
Once you’ve read it once. For fun, Read it again, and maybe again. Grab some post-it notes and mark the best bits, and why you like them. Same for slow sections. Where are the hooks that make you turn that next page or crave the next chapter? How did it end? Did you instantly want another book or never want to read about those characters again?
It’s all lessons you can recall when you put pen to paper. Remember, most books and writers who make it ‘overnight’ have a long backlist, often in a variety of pen names. They will have spent many, many hours reading, that’s what writers do.
Read Crime and Punishment or Othello. I’d recommend it, but I promise it’s not compulsory under some unwritten law of new writers.
Don’t limit your reading just to your genre. Indulge in them all. This post will give you some tips on how to up your reading game.
5 – Community (My family think it’s a stupid idea)
I know. Who would think it? This is a really common excuse. Your family might not get it. So what? It’s not their dream, it’s yours. It can cost money which might throw in challenges for discussion down the line, but the writing part can be virtually for free. You can use your library to source reading material. You’ll find loads of books free online. Sign up for most authors’ mailing lists and they will give one as a thank you. Do not get tempted by cowboy sites though, please. Choose your sources wisely.
You need pen and paper and a laptop or access to a computer. But some writers publish stories just from their phone on online apps and forums like Wattpad. This isn’t a post about resources but I mention it to reassure you, your family’s doubts don’t have to be yours. They are not your writer people. Join social media groups, follow writer hashtags, book clubs, locally or online. Choose your book family and they will support you. Many, I’d suggest most writers are introverts of some description. They hide behind their screen and tap out imaginary worlds, and they will be there to give you a boost or feedback. There are groups all over the world who interact online in their chosen genre, from dragon lords to cosy mystery sleuths. They are your book people. Go find them. Listen and learn to those who went before.
Be honest with yourself.
Do you want to be a writer?
What excuse do you have today, tomorrow or next week to avoid putting pen to paper? Maybe I can suggest a solution.
I work 1-2-1 with new writers. You can find out more HERE.