Thinking about writing a book may seem daunting, especially for a first-time author. Out of every 1000 people that want to write a book, only 2 to 3 actually get around to completing it. Why is that?
There are a multitude of reasons – from procrastinating to getting sidetracked, or just not being diligent enough. You may have countless ideas floating around, yet, you feel paralyzed when trying to put those thoughts into words.
In this article, we share some tips to help you to start writing a book.
The first thing to think about before you start writing your manuscript is to create a space that will allow your creativity flourish.
Writing requires a lot of concentration so think of what your ideal environment would look like for you to be able to zone in on your writing. Is it your home office? Maybe a coffeeshop, a nearby library or a co-working space?
Don’t be afraid to try different spots until you find the perfect space for your writing needs.
Have you heard the joke that goes, “What do you get when you cross a writer with a deadline? A really clean house.”
To stay focused, you need self-control and the best way to practice this is to get rid of things that might easily distract you. It’s easier to focus when the distractions aren’t easy to get to so hide your phones, get offline, and block your time.
Sustaining motivation can be tough for anyone. A well-written book takes time, and burnout is common. The best way to approach this is by setting concrete goals for your day like having a minimum word count and making sure to commit to it.
By breaking down your writing into smaller chunks, it’ll be easier for you to meet your goals without it getting overwhelming.
More hours devoted to work does not always mean better results.
“All times of day are not created equal,” bestselling author Daniel Pink says in an interview with CNBC. “Performance varies considerably over the course of the day, and choosing what time to do a certain task can affect how well you do it."
Try writing at different times of day to see what works best for you. Discovering the time of day when your mind is the sharpest will go a long way.
Outlining gives you the general idea of how your book will be structured. Break down your concepts into sections and find a way to put them in order. A coherent outline will give you more perspicuity.
There are many ways to go about creating an outline but some of the most common include: mindmaps, a synopsis, beat sheets, and skeleton outlines. Try different methods to see which one you like the most.
If you get stuck, you can always go back to your outline to figure out what comes next regardless of the length of your book.
We hope these tips help you through your writing process. Now it’s time for you to get started!
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