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So You Want to Write a Book: Here’s Where to Start
10 Things Every First-Time Author Should Know
I’ve written and had published three books…and never intended to write even one. How did that happen? The first book was a book of opportunity, and I was inspired by the research. Books two and three are family stories.
But that is not what I’m writing about today. I want to share my journey with you.
I had a vertical learning curve in revising and editing my books. It’s a lot of work. Be prepared if you are working on a book now or intend to write one. There is a saying that “the writing is in the rewriting.”
You have a first draft
It’s true. Your first draft is just the beginning of a long journey to get your book ready to publish. You still have this work even if you are working with a publisher. It’s up to you to do that final edit, looking for errors. And, there will be errors.
Revisiting and revising your work — especially when it’s personal — is like editing a letter to your past self while keeping your future readers in mind.
Here is what you need to know and how to revisit and revise with care, step by step:
1. Step back. Give it time. Let the draft breathe.
