How to Write a Book: The Comprehensive 7 Step Guide for Beginners

Last updated on September 14th, 2024 at 06:53 am

How to Write a Book – Introduction

Have you ever imagined seeing your name on the cover of a book? The dream of becoming an author is one shared by many, including me back in 2018.

Learning how to write a book can seem overwhelming. Whether it’s a novel, a non-fiction guide, or a memoir, writing a book is a big challenge.

But with some guidance you can soon create a plan, develop the right mindset, and you can start to bring your ideas to life.

Ready to make your author dreams a reality? Let’s dive into how you can write and publish your book.

Why Trust this post?

My name is Richard ‘Richie’ Bevan and I have been an Amazon best selling author twice and have been doing Amazon self-publishing for myself and others for over 5 years.

I have also been employed in the publishing industry for over 10 years and I’m confident you will find this guide extremely useful in learning how to write a book.

TL;DR

Learning how to write a book requires careful planning, dedication, and time.

You start by choosing your idea, creating an outline, and setting manageable writing goals.

After completing your first draft, you’ll then revise it, edit it, and finally, you can then prepare for publishing it.

This beginners guide for how to write a book covers everything you need to know, from brainstorming to publishing and marketing your book.

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Why Should You Write a Book?

Writing a book can be one of the most rewarding creative endeavors anyone can undertake. I certainly know it was for me. However, learning to write a book is also a large undertaking, if done properly. So before you start, a key thing to do is ask yourself why you want to write a book.

Is it to share your knowledge? To tell a story that’s been brewing in your mind? Or do you want to inspire or entertain others? Understanding your motivation will guide the process and help you stay focused when the going gets tough.

Here are some common reasons that people I’ve worked with had for writing their books:

  • To establish themselves as experts in a particular field.
  • To share a personal story or life lesson.
  • To express creativity through fiction.
  • To entertain and educate.
  • To create passive income through book sales.

There is no right or wrong reason for writing a book, but knowing your “why” will help you stick with the process.

Step 1: Choosing Your Book Idea

Choosing the right idea for you is the first major hurdle in how to write a book. Some people have an idea right away, while others struggle to decide on the right topic or genre. Here are a few strategies that will help you land on the perfect idea for you:

  1. Follow Your Passion: Write about something that excites you. Whether it’s a fantasy world or a personal experience, passion will keep you going when you face challenges.
  2. Know Your Audience: Think about who will read your book. If you’re writing non-fiction, what problems can you solve for your readers? If it’s fiction, what kinds of stories will captivate them?
  3. Test Your Idea: Try writing a short summary or outline of your idea. If you find it difficult to explain, or if it doesn’t excite you, it may not be the right topic.

When I first began to learn how to write a book, I had so many ideas swirling around in my head, but it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote a brief synopsis for each of the ideas I realised which idea had the most potential and purpose for me. It was a self-help book about how people could discover their happiness.

My Hot Tip: Keep a “book idea” journal. Inspiration often strikes unexpectedly, and keeping track of your ideas will help you choose the best one when you’re ready to start.

Step 2: Creating an Outline

Once you’ve decided on your idea, it’s time to create your outline. An outline acts as the roadmap for your book, guiding you from start to finish and ensuring you don’t stray off course.

It also helps break down the massive task of writing a book into manageable chunks. Here’s how you can create an effective outline:

  • Start with the end in mind: What’s the message or story you want readers to take away? Work backward from that point to map out the major steps or plot points.
  • Break it into sections: For non-fiction, these can be chapters focusing on different topics or subtopics. For fiction, you might break it down by acts, scenes, or character arcs.
  • Stay flexible: Your outline isn’t set in stone. As you write, you may find the story evolves or new ideas emerge. It’s okay to adjust the plan, but it’s important to have a plan, so you know if you are veering away from the original outline.

My Hot Tip: For fiction writers, consider using the “Three-Act Structure” to outline your plot. This structure is a classic for building a compelling narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Step 3: Setting Writing Goals and Building a Routine

Writing a book can take months, or even years if you aren’t using a disciplined approach. It is vital to set clear, achievable goals will help you stay on track. Here’s how I would suggest you do it:

  1. Set Daily or Weekly Word Count Goals: Decide how much you’ll write each day or week. For example, if your total books goal is 60,000 words, and you aim to write 1,000 words a day, you’ll have a rough draft in two months.
  2. Create a Writing Routine: Find a time of day when you’re most productive. Whether it’s early morning or late at night, consistency is key.
  3. Stay Accountable: Consider joining a writing group or using writing apps like Scrivener or Google Docs to track your progress.

For me, setting a time each morning to write—before emails or getting the kids ready—was crucial. Even doing just an hour of focused writing every day helped me finish the draft for my first books faster than I expected.

My Hot Tip: Start small! If the idea of writing 1,000 words a day feels daunting, begin with 300-500 words and build up over time. The most important thing is to get started.

Step 4: Writing Your First Draft

With your outline and goals in place, it’s time to write your first draft. The first draft is all about getting your ideas on paper. Don’t worry about perfecting every sentence—just focus on finishing the draft.

Here’s how to approach the writing process, this is probably the most difficult and time consuming part of how to write a book:

  • Avoid editing as you go: Editing while writing can slow you down. The first draft is often messy, and that’s okay, there will be plenty of opportunity to edit it later.
  • Write consistently: Even if it feels like your writing isn’t great on some days, keep going. Writing is about progress, not perfection (I apply this notion to most of the things I do in my life).
  • Stay motivated: Remember why you’re writing. If you get stuck, refer back to your why and your outline or step away for a short break to regain focus.

I found that my first draft is always the hardest. I’ve found that accepting imperfection and pushing through writer’s block is the best way to avoid getting stuck. I have also used tools like Microsoft Word Dictate to talk rather than type, so accelerate the process.

My Hot Tip: Set a timer for writing sprints (e.g., 25-30 minutes). Focus intensely during that time, and take short breaks in between and leave your phone in another room.

Step 5: The Editing and Revising Process

Once you’ve completed your first draft, give yourself a pat on the back as this is a major achievement milestone. But the journey isn’t over yet. So now it’s time to begin the revise and edit process. Over time you will learn how to be a better writer and the edits will be less time consuming.

Here’s how to tackle this phase of how to write a book:

  1. Self-Edit: Start by reading your manuscript from beginning to end. Look for inconsistencies, plot holes, and areas where the flow could improve. Focus on big-picture edits first before fixing minor grammar or punctuation errors.
  2. Get Feedback: After self-editing, consider sharing your manuscript with beta readers e,g, trusted friends or colleagues who can provide honest feedback. Alternatively, hire a professional editor for a more thorough review.
  3. Revise Again: Based on the feedback, go back and revise. Repeat this process until you feel confident about your manuscript.

I was fortunate that my mother was always very willing to read and edit my initial drafts.

My Hot Tip: Take a break after finishing your first draft before diving into edits. Stepping away for a few days or even weeks can give you fresh perspective when you return to your work.

Step 6: Preparing for Publishing

After you’ve polished your manuscript, it’s time to think about how to publish. There are two primary options: traditional publishing and self-publishing.

  1. Traditional Publishing: In this route, you’ll submit your manuscript to literary agents. If an agent accepts your work, they’ll pitch it to publishers on your behalf. The process can be long and competitive, but traditional publishing often offers more credibility and significant marketing support.
  2. Self-Publishing: Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to publish your book yourself. You maintain more control over the creative and financial aspects, but you’ll need to handle marketing and distribution on your own.

I am a huge fan of self-publishing, and this is the approach I took with my first book and was really surprised by how easy it was. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to market your book aggressively to get sales and by deciding to a self-published author you will also be deciding to become a marketer.

My Hot Tip: If you’re self-publishing, consider investing in a professional cover designer and editor. These small investments can make a big difference in how your book is perceived.

Step 7: Publishing Your Book

When your book is ready for the world, it’s time to publish! For self-publishing, uploading to platforms like Amazon KDP is fairly straightforward. If you’re going the traditional route, your agent will guide the publishing process.

Here are some key steps to finalize your publication and complete the final step of how to write a book:

  • Finalize Your Cover and Format: If self-publishing, make sure your book looks professional with a high-quality cover design and proper formatting for both digital and print versions.
  • Prepare for Book Marketing: Build a website or blog, create social media accounts, and start promoting your book to your audience. Consider using email lists, social media, and even paid ads to get the word out.
  • Engage With Your Audience: Whether through book signings, social media engagement, or interviews, connecting with your readers is a powerful way to build buzz around your book.

My Hot Tip: Consider offering the first few chapters of your book for free as a way to attract new readers.

How to write a book

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to write a book?
A: This depends on how much time you dedicate. For example, if you write 500 words a day, a 60,000-word novel could take about four months to draft.

Q: Do I need a literary agent to get published?
A: No. While a literary agent can help you with traditional publishing, self-publishing allows you to publish your book on your own.

Q: Can I write a book if I’m not an expert?
A: Absolutely! Everyone has a story or unique perspective to share. Even fiction authors don’t need to be experts in every aspect of their story.

Final Thoughts

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Learning how to write a book will require you to do some detailed planning, focus on having the right mindset, and will require energy and persistence.

Remember to follow each step: from choosing your idea, outlining, and writing your draft to editing, revising, and finally publishing your work.

The road may be long, but seeing your book come to life is worth the effort. Happy writing!

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