How to Begin Writing a Book?
Many new authors think they should write the book in the exact order it will appear when it’s finally published. This mean finish chapter-1, and then start chapter-2, 3, and so on. But writing a book is not an orderly and straightforward method. It involves a lot of going back and forth and even stop writing for sometime if your brain switches off. You cannot write everything about chapter-1 before you begin chapter-2 and further chapters. This article will give some tips on how to start writing a book.
How to begin? If you are writing a non-fiction book, then begin by asking questions to yourself about the topic you are writing. For example, if you want to write a book on stress management then start jotting down several questions like what is stress, why is it caused, who gets affected, what harm does it cause, how to eliminate or reduce stress, etc. These are the basic questions that any ordinary reader or layman will want to be answered. Then start answering each question and then reorganize the paragraphs carefully so that your chapter contents become orderly. Or if you are writing a novel then read several famous novels of a similar type you are trying to write. Study how the dialogues, plots, characters, and excitement in the story are framed and sustained. Then try to mold your novel in a similar or even better way if you can. Never be satisfied with what you write the first time or second time. Often what looked good on Monday will seem lousy or mediocre on Wednesday. So, ruthlessly edit, change and reorganize your stories, plots, dialogues, examples, etc., to make it a better book.
The first draft: When you start writing simply jot down all of your ideas and thoughts, and start filling the pages. What I mean by this is you can just start scribbling and don’t worry about the chapter names, preface, acknowledgments, etc., initially. They can be framed and improved once you have about 60–70 pages of useful info. Besides, no one can write the final version of a book in one shot. After having written some sentences or paragraphs revisit them after a few hours or days. When you give it some time and return to revise it with fresh eyes you will suddenly discover many ways of improving it further. Writing a book involves plenty of editing, polishing, deleting, rearranging, moving, revising, etc., without hesitation. So, do not hesitate to chop entire paragraphs, or change the story entirely if necessary to make your book better. Take your time and don’t hurry. Even if you write just half a page a day, then in about three to five months you will have a 75–85 page book that you can be proud of. Then, you can add items like a table of contents, preface, copyright, acknowledgments, etc.
Use famous quotes: It is always a good idea to use interesting quotes from famous people in your book wherever possible. For example, if you are writing a book on leadership make generous use of quotes from famous people like Gandhi, Churchill, Lincoln, etc. Such quotes are like sprinkling diamonds and can greatly enhance your book. But remember to mention the names of the people who stated those quotes. Secondly, you can also try to write funny and interesting quotes of your own. Sometimes, entire paragraphs and examples can be written based on a great quote.
Some Famous Quotes
Write quickly and you will never write well. Write well, and you will soon write quickly — Marcus Fabius Quintilianus
Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window — William Faulkner
If it can be cut out, then CUT IT OUT. Everything non-essential that you can eliminate strengthens what’s left — Alexander Mackendr
I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shovelling sand into a box so that later I can build castles — Shannon Hale
~ 🤵 About the Author — Thejendra Sreenivas was a Technology Manager in the IT industry for nearly 30 years. He is now an Author and Book Publishing Coach and helps authors to Self-Publish their books Worldwide on Amazon and Non-Amazon retailers. He has written 30+ books on various topics. Visit his online cave — www.thejendra.com for more details.
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