They say there is a book in everyone. It will begin as a tiny bud, a little pop of inspiration. This bud is full of potential – colour, fragrance, pizazz. This spark of an idea may circle around in your mind, unfurling, growing. One day, you may sit down and describe your amazing flower of a story. You may type it or write it out.
But it’s an alchemical process to grapple an idea or cluster of thoughts into a tangible book and, therefore, not as straightforward as it first seems. Here are 5 vital tips for writing a book that will stop you prematurely burying your beautiful masterpiece in the bottom draw:
1. Get clear on why you are writing this book
Do you want to tick ‘wrote a book’ off your bucket list?
Do you want to record all your wisdom as part of your business?
Do you want to record your life story/memoir for family and friends?
Do you want to give up work and be a full-time writer?
Do you want this as a side-hustle?
Do just feel driven to write stories?
Answering this question will help you keep motivated and focussed. It will guide your writing for a particular audience, be it just you, family or out into the public.
2. Don’t be scared of a blank page
It’s amazing how a blank screen or page can scream at you. It will shout ‘imposter!’ It will urge ‘perfect words only to go here!’ It will taunt ‘your mind is empty. There is no story, no book. Your mind is as blank as me.’
And the little cursor blinks at you mockingly.
IGNORE IT.
‘Once upon a time…’ is all it takes. Go from there.
3. Don’t edit yourself
No judgement. Even if a voice is telling you that this is stupid. Even if a voice is saying you are totally mad. Even if you think this is the most terrible, ugly, boring, crazy writing. As Terry Pratchett said, ‘the first draft is simply you telling yourself the story.’ Let it unfold like an origami swan.
4. Know thyself
…physically, mentally, emotionally. All these aspects impact your writing. Discover when you are most creative and how to get into the zone. You can have fun experimenting. Try writing at 3am. Try using a fountain pen. Try plotting if you normally pants it. Try free form if you like to plot to perfection.
Consider these questions:
· On what and where do you prefer write?
· Are you more creative at 5am in bed on your laptop, or midmorning in a noisy café?
· Do you need to walk and dictate or sit at your desktop in a cosy nook?
· Do you prefer to plot or free flow?
· Do you need to set a 30-minute Pomodoro or write till you hit a word count?
· Do you need to warm up, say a prayer, drink 2.5 cups of coffee or perform a ritual to invite the muse in?
· Do you need a clean house or to work to a deadline?
· Do you need to feel sad to write a sad scene?
Know where you are at your most optimal and work it!
5. Don’t procrastinate
I’m saying this for me as well as you!
One of the best books to pulverise procrastination is The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield, subtitled ‘Break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles’. He describes this prevarication as ‘resistance’. If we can recognise that scrolling, doing admin, cleaning, cooking, drinking cups of tea (or whisky), calling friends, even going to workshops… you name it, then we can be sure are facing resistance.
No great things are created if we fold to resistance. Get honest, be vigilant, and be sneaky to avoid procrastination.
Get bum in seat and fingers on keyboard every day – no matter what.
Use these 5 vital tips for writing a book because your story matters. Don’t rob us of it!
For more writing tips see A Question of Writing–tips to help write your book
