How to write a book – the short honest truth
Every author I know gets asked the same question: How do you write a book?
It’s a simple question, but it causes problems. On the one hand, it’s nice to have people interested in something I do. If I told people I fixed toasters for a living, I doubt I’d get many inquires. People are curious about writing and that’s cool and flattering. Rock on.
But on the other hand, the hand involving people who ask because they have an inkling to do it themselves, is that writing books is a topic so old and so well trod by so many famous people that anyone who asks hoping to discover secret advice is hard to take seriously.
Here’s the short honest truth: 20% of the people who ask me are hoping to hear this – Anyone can write a book. They want permission. The truth is you don’t need any. There is no license required. No test to take. Your book idea is worth writing if you think it is. Writing, as opposed to publishing, requires almost no financial or physical resources. A pen, paper and effort are all that has been required for hundreds of years. If Voltaire, Marquis de Sade and Marina Nemat could write in prison, then you can do it in suburbia, at lunch, at work, or after your kids go to sleep. You will always find excuses if you want them and most people do. Why? Writing is work. No matter how smart you are or how great your idea is, you will have to put in the time and no one else can do it for you.
It helps to kill the magic: a book is just a bunch of writing. Anyone can write a book. It might be bad or be incomprehensible, but so what: it’s still a book and many published authors haven’t done any better.
Nothing is stopping you right now from collecting all of your elementary school book reports, a years worth of emails you wrote, or drunken napkin scribbles, binding them together at Kinkos for $20, slapping a title on the cover, and qualifying as an author. Want to write a good book? Ok, but get in line since most pro authors are still trying to figure that out too.
Writing a good book, compared to a bad one, involves one thing. More work. No one wants to hear this, but if you take two books off any shelf, I’ll bet my pants the author of the better book worked harder than the author of the other one. Call it effort, study, practice, or whatever you like. Sure there are tricks here and there, but really writing is a kind of work. I like this though: it means anyone who puts in enough time can actually write well. Some of our best writing comes from ordinary people from all walks of life.
Getting published. 30% of the time the real thing people are asking is how do you find a publisher. As if there wasn’t a phone book or, say, an Internet-thingy where you can look this stuff up (start with Jane Friedman’s website). Writers-market is literally begging to help writers find publishers. Many publishers, being positive on the whole idea of communication, put information on how to submit material on their website. And so do agents. The grand comedy of this is how few writers follow the instructions. That’s what pisses off all the editors: few writers do their homework.
The sticking point for most people who want to be authors is, again, the work. They want to hear a secret that skips over the work part. Publishers are rightfully picky and they get pitched a zillion books a day. It takes effort to learn the ropes, send out smart queries, and do the research required to both craft the idea for a book, and then to propose it effectively. So while writing is a rejection prone occupation, even for the rock-stars, finding a publisher is not a mystery. In fact the whole game is self-selective: people who aren’t willing to do the work of getting published are unlikely to be capable of the work required to finish a decent manuscript.
But that said – it’s easier today to self-publish than ever. People look down on self-publishing, but I don’t see why. When people buy books it’s not like they care who published them (“Oh, I don’t read Random House books, sorry”): they only care who recommended or reviewed the book. But again, our tragically unpopular companion, work, is required to self-publish so many prefer to keep asking writers how they got published instead of just doing it themselves. You can read what I learned from self-publishing the first time here (although the technology and options have improved since then).
Being famous and wealthy: Now this is the kicker. About 50% of the time the real thing people want to know is how to become a famous millionaire rock-star author person. As if a) I qualified, b) I could explain how it happened, or c) I’d be willing to tell.
First, this assumes writing is a good way to get rich. I’m not sure how this lie started but writing, like most creative pursuits, has always been a less than lucrative lifestyle. Even if a book sells well, the $$$ to hour ratio will be well below your average corporate job, without the health benefits, sick days, nor the months where you can coast by without your boss noticing. These days people write books after they’re famous, not before. A book can help you gain professional credibility, but then it’s more of a marketing project than a writing project, isn’t it?
And if the only books you read are bestsellers, well, you have a myopic view of the publishing world. Over 100k books are published in the US annually, and few sell more than a few thousand copies. What causes books to sell may have little to do with how good a book is, as we’ve all been mystified by the abysmal bestsellers and surprised by amazing books few seem to know about. Either way, to justify the effort you’ll need reasons other than cash.
Discouraged yet? Here is the upside: I love writing books. I love reading books. Books have profound powers and they’ve changed my life so many times. Maybe the bittersweet challenge of chasing words into sentences suits you. If you want to do this you have my support. GO YOU. Sincerely. I am behind you. But thinking about writing isn’t writing. Talking about it isn’t either. Commit to 10 hours of effort (basically a weekend or two). Write an outline or even just a few pages of a chapter. Take a course that focuses on actual writing and getting feedback. If it feels hard but rewarding, keep going. If it doesn’t, well I think you know.
Here are some practical next steps:
- The single best website to learn more about writing and publishing books – Jane Friedman
- How To Start a Book Project – specific advice for tackling a book sized effort.
- Is Your Book Idea Good? I’ll tell you here
- 28 Things No One Tells You About Publishing
- How To Get From An Idea To a Book – a bit harsh, and focused on publishing, but explains the steps and the time you’ll need
- Writing Hacks: Part 1 – Starting – What to do when the page is blank.
- Part 2 of ‘How To Write a Book’ is here, where I answer the best comments.
- Time-lapsed video of a writer writing an essay – amazing and revealing
- Confessions of a Self Published author – here’s what I learned from self publishing my last book.
- Writer’s Market. How to find a publisher for your written work (more good advice here).
- National Novel Writing Month – You must check this out.
- Or leave a comment below. I am, despite the curmudgeonly vibe, happy to answer thoughtful questions.
- Austin Kleon’s book writing flowchart
- Preview image credit
[Light editing: 10/7/2019, 2/4/2021]
Hi there. I’m Hannah. I’m fourteen years old and I have a book on the way. It is called Possessed: A New Genesis.
I was wondering if a minor could get a book published. if not then I am screwed for another 4 years =P
Thanks for any help.
peaceloveandhannah
-Hannah
Sam/Hannah: here are some answers.
If you’re curious to know how others got started as writers, you might want to look at http://www.howwebecamewriters.com.
Im young im not going to lie to you im only 18 but i have gotten this great idea for a book. i have began writing and im lost for the moment. its a great plot and its vary interesting. ive shown it to a few people at school to get there opinion and now the whole student body is awaiting a final draft. but thats my problem thats going to take several months and i dont think they can understand that. i need someone i can talk one on one with to discuss my book if you have anyone in mind please email me. my email is ian.p.cloud@gmail.com i dont get on the computer much and would appreciate it if you emailed it to me rather then post it. thank you for your time.
Thank you indeed for the inspiration – ANYONE CAN WRITE A BOOK. Should I ever complete the same and get it published I will remember your article as the “culture” that was essential to set the “yogurt” ( book)
Thank you for the article. But can a 16-year-old be able to write a book too?
I have noticed a lot of the comments left here make no mention to “Passion” when writing on the subject of compiling a book.
I was once told to be an effective writer that the author should write their first book about what they know, and to tell their story with passion, a passion for the subject at hand.
I believe this too be very fundamental, after all if the writer is dead pan regarding his / her feelings towards the books intended subject than who would expect the reader to get excited about the content?
I’m about 100 pages into my first book, I’ve read more sites about writing than I can recall and most have common denominators and these are the “secrets” new authors or writers should be collecting.
If I visit 50 sites on writing and 30 of them mention having a passion about my subject than I write these down, these become the building blocks for my guidelines and I keep them handy during the process.
Now staying enthusiastic about your subject is a whole other story, it is easy to get that burst of inspiration when we are starting out but just by having to organize details, clarifying our thoughts and putting our individual style into our writing it is easy to get bogged down and lose track of the flow of the story.
I’ve found that when this happens it is time to write a few pages in an inspirational setting, if your spirit gets recharged , lets say sitting by the Ocean than go there and try writing a few pages.
I find my imagination is at it’s best in an environment that puts me in my story, for example, I’m writing a story about my past, about my journey through some very dark stuff and it is about Spiritual redemption so when I get feeling as though the energy for my story is getting flat I take a 2 hour ride back too the town that all this happened in, I sit in the town park and the memories and the inspiration come rushing out of me.
PASSION, PASSION, PASSION about your subject is a direct link too relaying the story and its feelings too the reader.
I’ve been keeping journals through out my life and have piles of them dating back 20 or more years and when I can not recall details about an event I can go back too that date and relive the event.
I know many do not have the luxury of having their lives in the form of reference journals but we all have photos of the past or know where the people are who can fill in some long forgotten details of an event and we can fill in the blanks with a letter, email or phone call.
We must get creative with our research methods and if we can keep our story laced with a high level of passion than we can come out of the experience with a good story to tell.
I could go on and on but I’ve got to get back too my book, thanks for some good advice here and the one thing that I did find here as my nugget of truth is that “writing a book is not for lazy people”, it is indeed hard work but well worth it when the next generations can read about your journeys.
Thank You,
J. Red Horse.
Thank you for an honest insight giving others some hope to try and write. I started writing, I dont have the grammer, spelling, or the skills needed but it is important for me see mine finished. I write as often as I can, see that it is a ton of work, but determined… thank you if only for the hope.
Unpublished…reading your post made me want to pee on you then….
OMG, this site is pathetic! No, no, back the truck up. Not the site. Some of these letters are what’s pathetic.
Listen to me. Are you hearing this? No, your life’s story will not sell because you can’t write and you’re boring, PERIOD. You know I’m right, don’t you? It has NOTHING to do with whether you are a wordsmith, or grammatically correct, or a polished writer. It’s because you’re obsessed with the words I and me, and the truth is nobody cares about you or your life’s story. Why is it that people want to write and read about themselves? You want to escape your mundane existence and you see writing as the way out. Forget it. You’re boring and your writing is boring, ZZZZZZ.
Wilbers says contrary to public opinion, good writers are not born. You have to work hard at writing until it’s your craft. And Mennis says you have to find your voice, whatever that is.
I was on board a schooner running out of Maine. My GF came over and said this 76 yr old man wanted to talk to me about writing. I asked her how he knew I was a writer and she said she’d mentioned it in passing to his ladyfriend. Okay, okay. I looked at the guy. The lines on his face said he was all of 76, but the rest of him didn’t fit.
He said his name was Robert Bruce. By the end of the three-day sail we were calling him Robert the Bruce. Think Mel Gibson if you don’t know who that is. Robert was a farmer from Kansas who decided one day he wanted to see the ocean. He’d worked his farm his entire life, and had never seen the Atlantic or the Pacific Oceans, or the Gulf for that matter. His wife had died and he had nothing to keep him in Kansas. He had my attention.
So he sold his farm. And all of his possessions. And drove to Maine, where he bought a sailboat. Not just any sailboat. He bought a 36 foot, two-masted ketch. If you know anything at all about sailing you know how hard it is to single-hand a ketch, that is, sail it by yourself. He then proceeded to sail it down the East Coast, around Florida, and into the Gulf of Mexico. I said that was fascinating, and I thought it would make a great book when he decided to get around to writing it-a book about a farmer who knew nothing about sailing or the dangers of sailing.
Oh, he’d already written a 400 page book about it he said. He wrote it while he was doing it! I said, oh, then what did he want to talk to me about? He asked if I’d read it and tell him what he needed to do to get it published. He said Soundings Magazine had already published parts of it-the parts where he’d almost died from the experience. Turned out his GF was a millionaire he’d met on his personal Oddysey. They were preparing to sail across the Atlantic to Europe. His was an amazing story made all the more interesting by his larger-than-life exploits and his passion for life. Robert started writing at 76 and he’d already found his voice.
So, what YOU need to do is to find your voice. Forget about grammar. What is it that is driving you to write. Learn how to express those same emotions in your story. Easier said than done. My advice is to start by trying your hand at writing a memoir. It’s the easiest type of writing to do because a memoir can evoke both deep-seated painful memories and joyful memories. People want passion in their lives and they’re looking to you to give it to them vicariously. Good luck.
I’m only sixteen, and writing is starting to look like a high probability as a career…
i only have one question. how do you keep motivated? its extremely easy for me to get side tracked…
This article is so helpful.
I am about “30%” into a story I really believe in and I’m glad to know it’s hard work for everyone! It makes my cynical little black heart beat real big gushy beats so my cheeks turn red.
Also- (in response to probably a really old comment by something like, “unpublished and better than you”??)
Knowing when to use then or than is a lesser skill than things like being a visionary, or an artist, or just plain clever. Sadly the latter is harder to teach and therefore less common.
I liked this article. It was rather encouraging. Also a comment here said not to worry about typos, just churn it out, that too was encouraging as I am getting a bit bogged down with perfection
thank you for the advice,it helped me a lot.
it gave me the self esteem to start my book.
i would like to comment on a person who left his stupid and meaningless comment on the 16th trying to show that he is good in english grammar and he thinks he is better than the adviser…you are right about the grammar,but let me tell you something my friend,your comment shows that you don’t have the ability and required brain potential to become a writer…to write a book is not about grammar its about imagination.next be carefull with your comments..thank you
Hi, Scottberkun!=) What a beautiful post! As a neophyte, I feel like writing more… and more! =)
Stay on top! Godspeed! =)
Lovelots,
Angel MEG
Laguna, Philippines
Aloha, I moved to Maui, built a house and opened a B&B with the too typical, wonderful vision of what being an Innkeeper is. I could not have been more wrong. I often have guests at my breakfast table tell me that it has always been their dream to open a B&B, HA! I think to myself, “it’s not a dream, it’s a nightmare”. When I am comfortable with a guest,(usually those who are staying for more than just a few days), and we seem to think alike and hit it off, I will sometimes confide in them when they ask me what it is REALLY like. I approach it with a massive amount of sarcasm and tell them stories that always surprise them, and either horrify, or surprise them. I admit I enjoy telling stories and the attention, praise and ,yes,sympathy I get. It seems like small payback for having dealt with the actual event or person,(s), I am telling them about. Almost, without exception, at least one guest out of 6-8 will say before leaving the table, “you should write a book”. They often ask me to tell another story, but, like I used to do with my children at bedtime, I have to explain that it is getting late and I have lots to do that day, (it still surprises me that they seem to think that once breakfast is pau,(done), I am pretty much pau for the day as well). I have had two published authors stay with me who have encouraged me to put it on paper, and one, Gary Shepard, (A News Correspondant Goes Sailng), who was adamant that I should tackle a book and do it now while I still have a smart ass attitude about what it is like and that infamous 1% of guests who inevitably lead an Innkeeper to retirement sooner than they anticipated when they first conceptualized their own dream of having a B&B. While 99% of my guests are interesting, considerate and CAN read and follow instructions, the stress and frustration at the other 1% is cumulative and compounds itself more frequently as time goes by. O.K. so blah, blah, blah, what I am trying to figure out is how to format a book about my experiences – I didn’t keep a diary but do have an amazing memory from years as a builder, nurse, mom, and of course waitress. I have kept a sh…t list as well, (never take these people again), and have kept notes in my Guest Tracker program, (a reservations program), on every difficult, stupid, labor intensive, deceptive, law breaking, wife beating, and/or drunk or druggee that has stayed with me. As you can see by now, (god will this woman ever get to the point)?, I am a bit of a loudmouth and do go ON and ON once I get going. I’m that person about which one person would whisper to another, “she is a bit of a talker”, a gross understatementfor sure. I have written several editorials in the Lahaina News and sometimes use my own name. O.K. O.K.- I agree that if you have something to say you should always use your own name, however, there is a saying here, “when you live on an island – don’t make waves”. I’m so glad that by the time I heard it, I had already come to the same conclusion, afterall Hawaii is not really part of the United States and I could probably write another book about what it is like to move here and build a house. I built homes on the mainland before I became a nurse, (and still hired a builder here), but didn’t know that the level of incompetance is mind boggling and that it would take years! to accomplish here what I used to finish there in 3 months. I eventualy fired the builder, quit both my jobs and finished the house myself. I am also wondering if I shouldn’t integrate the two stories? I’m sure your most often asked question is “how do I start”, well, add mine to the list. If you decide not to write back, I will understand, I know that I do “go on” and probably don’t really deserve an answer. In fact after re-reading the above I can see how one would be just as irritated as I often am with my 3rd and last proffesion, (not counting writer, to even respond BUT I hope you do! Penny
I found your post interesting. You have the makings of a book, Penny, BUT… you still haven’t found your voice. Why are you so hard on yourself? We know why you’re hard on others, you hold them to your own standards. Are they really your standards though, or expectations laid on you by others, strict parents, teachers, spouses.
Maybe you suffered a traumatic, life-changing event? The people who influenced your actions also carry their own personal baggage, and they work hard to hide it from you thru their own self-denial, just as you’re doing now. Sometimes when you go back and examine their lives it’s a revelation. Epiphanies can lead to a softening of the heart when we realize we are the way we are because our lives have revolved around someone else’s weaknesses and expectations.
Why are you so driven? Why can’t you find peace and enjoyment in your work? Is it really all about the evil guests/bad customers? Or maybe you’re encouraging failure because you don’t feel you deserve success? Why weren’t you happy with your jobs (you’ve had a few good ones)or where you lived? When you can answer these questions honestly then you’ll be ready. Unless of course all you want to write is light comedy, then you’re ready now…
Hello and Thank you for your comments. Your right on! I did suffer an life changing event and my life did and still does revolve around it to some degree, and certainly as far as my children from my first marriage are concerned. How do you explain that you are who you are because of their fathers actions and the way he tormented and mis treated you without turning them against you. My mom once said something about my dad,(mild in comparison), after he died and I was livid. I didn’t want to hear it and hated her for saying anything about it although she was just trying to explain a bad choice she had made and that I was questioning. Some secrets have to be kept at all cost, not to protect him but to protect them and me against the hatred they would feel toward me if I were ever to tell them that the dad they love was not the dad I was married to. I hate to have this “baggage” to keep from them. It is a burden. I have been tempted over the years, but have always taken the high road. Just a few months ago my youngest son asked me if I had ever cheated on his dad. I aksed my son why in the world he would ask me that, he just replied, “curious”. It was all I could do not to tell him more than NO – but why don’t you ask him the same question? cheated and worse! Still I stuck it out even after he asked me to become a “swinger” and although I refused, went into the ladies room, (of the topless place he had taken me to celebrate MY birthday), and threw up. From that point on I knew that if I could ever figure out how to support myself and the kids I would leave him. It was his idea, once all the kids were in school, that I should go back and get a degree and subsequently a good job. I loved nursing, but after 17 years in Oncology and the ICU, felt I needed a change. I did divorce him during that time however. Prior to nursing, I designed and built homes and enjoyed it very much the bottom fell out of the construction and real estate market where I lived. Ultimately, your right – I am driven, and I don’t feel I deserve to be successful, self denial has been my thing for years, mostly out of guilt that I didn’t stick it out no matter what and the continuing problems it has caused my kids. This is still the hardest job I ever had though. Some days I’m sure my tongue is bloody from biting it and not saying what I am really thinking when guests ask me a stupid question or make a request,this morning – (would you mind running these post cards to the P.O. for me tomorrow?”. I wanted to say, “YES – I would – I am an Innkeeper – I work hard all day, I don’t run your errands, you have a car – the P. O. is two blocks away), and I showed you where the mailbox is yesterday”. The difference between a B&B and my nursing career, (or any other job), is that at the end of the day you get to go home! I am required to live on property AND in the same building. It is like sharing my house with that relative you really don’t like but can’t ask to leave. It often goes on all day and all night. Your home should be a place you go to after work so you can relax, revitalize, feel safe and hide from the frustration and problems at work. A place where you prepare mentaly for the next day, where you don’t have to be “on” all the time. We sometimes got patients we would flip a coin for – your turn, BUT at the end of the day, I got to go home! Wow, spilling my guts. I beleive too that I have the makings of a good book. I am trying to figure out what approach to take, how to lay it out. I know some things my readers won’t beleive and that bothers me, (yes the guildt thing again), and I don’t want to offened all the great guests I have had, some will be friends forever. I don’t want them to think my affection for them was not genuine, it was. I am driven, I always set a new personal goal for myself every year – this year I am teaching myself how to play a musical instrument and want to try painting again, (at one time I was pretty good), AND want to at least think about and research the possiblity of writing a book someday. I appreciate your time and attention very much – your very intuitive and just reading and writing to you are very theraputic. I guess if I can identify my own weakness’ and know where they came from, it will help me find my true self and allow me to write better. Penny
it’s easier today to self-publish than ever. Really.
Just Woke up And want to be a Famous Writer
Oh!.. But Today I did my homework before starting the next big failure of my life….Some how My prayers have been answered, Yet In a very mysterious way. I think some how this time, I won’t waste my time starting something that seems so hard to do. I Usually wake up and want to do something new in my life, no profession was ever safe until today. Not sure this time The appetite to became a writer, and self publisher came to me while doing what i do and some how enjoy doing best, but after reading Your interesting and at times sad post, I came to realised, that Fame and money as always comes at a cost, and usually takes very hard work. why is the word talent inside my head. Well next time I visit “THE THRONE” I’ll try not to fly so high, regardless of what the left side of my brain tells me..Oh! it never changes, and this time I actually know for sure, I have something everyone would die to read, but sadly it will never make it over there.
It’s amazing how things lose their importance when viewed from another perspective. I’d give a million dollars to be able to walk to the post office, and I used to be a runner before a stroke left me paralyzed.
At the same token, I can walk again now, just not too far. A woman in my apt building commented one day to her friend how sad it must be to live with my condition for a man who had obviously lived an active life. After I bit her head off no one felt sorry for me again. Why should they? I don’t feel sorry for myself, and I have every intention of running again someday.
Wake up. You’re a brilliant lady with so much to be thankful for. Take back control of your life, dear.
Yo very blunt and effective info nice, I am 14 and Im writing 3 stories all novels and the idea behind them I think is good and Im itching to start writing but I want to plan it first because I don’t want another good but not complete story.
Whats the best way to plan a storyline on paper ?
Hello! I just wanted to say thank you for helping out the novice author like myself by posting all of this information. I think it is a great idea for authors to be able to communicate and help one another out with writing issues. I know that there will always be the cynical pessimistic bully on some of these blogs and cites and that is to be expected. I just hate to let them get away with their rude and always crude words. The post on August 16th by “Never been published but better than you” sounds a lot like a snobby jaded jerk that needs to get over themselves. Let it also be known that writing is not always about grammar. In fact I can’t count how many grammatical errors I have probably made just now in this paragraph. Writing is creative and an art. And if you go by the book all of the time…and never think outside of the box then ya you will never get published. So you hypocritical pessimistic writer out there….you need to get off this website and take yourself somewhere else…most likely not in the writing world. Good luck with your cynical points of view. Let the rest of us dream and share positive advice that is ACTUALLY worthwhile.
Hey, I am starting to write and I read your artical and I have hope in finding a publisher. My dream is to have atleast one of my works publish and to write a novel. Your site is extremely inspiring. To all those jerks out there who write nothing but junk on this site, get over yourself and get back to earth.
I have always had the desire to write and finally decided to give it a serious try. I have been a stay at home mom for the last 20 years. Now that my children are grown I have to much time alone and its depressing.I do have a small collection of poetry I wrote over the years but I want to write a novel. I have no degrees in english, actually I dropped out of school in the 9th grade. What I’m trying to ask here, Is there a magic pencil at the end of a book? Someone who reads it and makes corrections for the writer? I know I have the heart and dreams to write but I’m afraid I’m lacking in the grammar department.
Danny O. Snow here, Dan Poynter’s cohort at U-Publish.com, a popular resource for self-publishers. I just want to add one quick note about self-publishing: not only is it faster, cheaper and easier than ever to self-publish a book today, but also to PROMOTE it outside of traditional book industry channels.
Let’s take Dan Poynter’s “Self-Publishing Manual” for example. Sure, it’s widely available from bookstores and libraries, but Dan gives up 50% of the cover price (plus the cost of printing) when readers buy from these outlets… and bookstores reserve the right to routinely return any unsold copies for a full refund.
On the other hand, Dan once left a carton with a local copy center on consignment. Apparently writers do a lot of copying, because the books soon sold out, and the store asked for more.
Outlets like this often feel that 30% is a generous discount, and many have never even heard the word “return.”
So kudos to Scott for encouraging writers to self -publish — and let me encourage them to bypass customary book trade channels and focus on outlets that are far more numerous, easier to target, often pay more (and pay faster) with fewer if any returns.
I’m very close to sending my 1st manuscript/sample chapter to the publisher in hopes for publishing, and this may sound like a dumb question, but the editor requested (no typed scripts). I’m sorry if missed something, but i’ve asked several people what they mean by that and have had no response. Also I should have it on certain paper and font. could you give your thoughts and opinion on this would sure appreciate it. Thanks Nancy S.
OK, “unpublished_but_better_than_you”,
grammar is not a reflection of how good a writer is. The writing in this blog was not bad. Everyone has grammar screw ups in their first draft. I’m sure this wasn’t the first draft but; I wrote a creative writing assignment and after submitting it I went back and still made grammar and spelling changes. You know what…I still got an A on that project that I spent 4-5 hours (tops) on because the writing was good.
Are there any huge limitations in writing a book? I’m trying to write a book and i keep having to stop and ask myself questions. Am i allowed to use real cities? can I use the actual name of the tiny little dress shop in downtown New Albany, Mississippi? I want to keep writing but i keep getting scared I’m doing things wrong. What are my limitations!?
To the writer of the article: Thanks so much for the great advice. This is actually the first article I’ve read regarding writing a book and I find it really helpful.
I had fun reading comments at the same time I learned a few things. As I was reading some, I half-expected to see another comment by unpublished. Goodness, I never knew someone would fuss about something as petty as a typographical error.
Anyway, I am a fifteen-year old highschool student who’s heading off to college next year. Writing a book has been in my mind for a long time. The problem is, I have the same problem as the other aspiring writers: How do I start one? I have been reading a lot of books recently, mostly novels to enjoy it and also to learn how novels are written. Yes, it’s true. Writing is hard work. I was only writing a book report a while ago and I’m complaining! Well, writing could be fun if what you’re writing about is fun too. Anyway, I really want to write a book and I need all the help that I can get. I don’t have to hurry into this actually so I’ll do a bit more of reading and research. If anybody knows where I can get the help I need, please do tell.
Just to share a piece of my mind, here’s my idea of why you write a book:
You don’t write one because you want to earn money. Yes, many do it for a living but they don’t do it entirely for that purpose. They write because it is their passion – it is what they want to do. It is what inspires them. I admit, I once thought of writing a book because I wanted to be rich. I came from a poor family – and still am. I wanted to write a book some time ago because of that reason. But somehow, if you look at it on a different perspective, would you write a book the same way as you would not having it as a primary reason? You write a book because you want to put your ideas on paper which could be read by several other people who would like and agree with what you think.(well, not all the time people would like what you write. Take unpublished for example.) You write a book because you enjoy doing it so. This is just my idea, not of great importance but I am glad I am able to write this. Somehow writing what you feel seems to be a hard thing to do. I am still young and I am hoping I would improve in time. Thanks a lot,..
The first is write the beginning.
write the end and then fill in the blanks !
Thank you for this blog. I have started to write a book called dragon savior. I kept on thinking that, i wasn’t going to ge it done in time, or that it was to short to actually to be called a novel. Then I read this, it sparked the bomb to the words, I CAN DO IT, thank you so much.
Hello! simply super!
As I am on my ??th pg. (37,000 wds) of personal history, and I find my self digging around in scribbles from yesteryear to verify, and clarify what I’m trying to get across about the evils of the “Run-a-way child running wild” syndrome,
I got to thinking about,not thinking about the very things you said not to think about. The riggors of what to do next, I’ll wait and cross that bridge when I get there. Thanks for the advice, I’m fairly sure I’m on the right path.
And as I’ve figured out early that I am not the great writer of style and flair that got me in this mess in the first place. I’ve re-titled this project “Purge and Wipe”. I’m determined to get it done, get it done right, and be done with it.
And that will free me up for the guitar lessons…
Look for me soon at fine bookstores everwhere…
“Puzzle Pieces” …back to the grind.
I think you have an amazing article. I infact am staring a book and aspire to have it published one day Yet, i am only 15 so that may have to wait. My book’s title is “Following Jane” If you happen to see it one day.(I hope so) I will continue to work on it. The twilight series inspired me to write my own book and still does. Everyday that I write it is thanks to stephanie meyer.
I’ve always wanted to write a book.
I think I can.
I’ll start now.
Hi everyone, I’ve been writting since I could write. I’ve even written books gone to kinko’s and given them away to the person who inspired me to write it. I write because I want people to read my stories. Of course they are children’s stories, but either way I’d like them read for more than the one person I wrote the book for. So my advice, just keep writing. One day I’ll be published, not now, but one day. I have faith. I just want one story read by kids everywhere. Then one of my life goals will be completed.
Quite honestly, I find writing a book to be very overwhelming. I have been writing about my experiences as a new teacher. I have had a truly unique experience with a child. I began writing not to publish, but so that I don’t forget the experience. I feel that what I have is actually pretty good and could lend itself to being published at some point. How many typed pages should I have before trying to publish it? I still work with this student and the family so it is a work in progress and hopefully will continue for many years.
I sure appreciate the insight. I am not looking to get wealthy as in the money aspect. I am looking to write and publish a book or maybe we should call it a autobiography. See I was abused as a child. and for the most part I have moved on and I am successfull not just in business but in life now. But as you can imagine, I am still and most likely will have to deal with the pain for years to come. But I want to write and publish my life on paper for not only therapy, but, I want to hopefully reach people that have gone through abuse and don’t know how to move on or to reach those are going through it at the time. And show them that they have the strength to make it stop.
Thank you for all the infomation.I’m really looking forward to be an author.I really like reading books.I’m 10 years old,and my name is Brianna Scott.I’m in 5th grade.People are really suprized how much I am reading.Again,thanks for all your help. :)
hallelujah, thank you so much.
it doesn’t matter whatever I read (books, Internet, whatever) about this topic, information is, usually, useless.
and this was actually pretty useful.
This article is refreshing! I’ve been writing sparatically for about a year now and realized within the last couple weeks I need to set a goal for myself, write everyday (like it or not somedays!) And work equally as hard when – have a manuscript ready for a publisher. I’m not hoping to become famous in the next 5 years. Published? Yes. Famous? Not necisarily.
I recently had a family member comment on the “easy, lazy writer’s life” and I let her know this is an art form requiring self-discipline and hard work. In ways, my 9-5 job is lazier. Someone else dictates that structur to me. My writing schedule rests solely upon my shoulders.
I am very pleased to have found this article. I realized I don’t have an unrealistic expectation of being getting published. And it’s nice to know I am no insane for the painstakingly tedious process I am undertaking.
Leslie
Hey. Nice article. It feels like this article is helpful, especially the sensible comments. But I have a few problems. I’m 13 years old, in eighth grade, and I’m afraid to show people my work. Anybody else have a family member constantly criticizing your work? Because my grandmother does it so often that my writing self-esteem has gone down the drain. Another problem is that even if I am motivated, when I start, I get a writer’s block even before I write the first word! Also, right at that time, it feels as if my idea is the most cliche idea EVER!!! To tell the truth, I get my motivations from reading good books…. But anyways, did I mention that this is a GREAT article?
First of all, why are all the comments above not in order by date? they appear scrambled and not in the correct order. If you would, please fix this as its hard to follow the commentary.
Second, Im now thinking of writing my first book. When I was a young man, I went through a period where I was a bit of a hermit, and spent all my time reading mythology, and fantasy and history and anthropology. I should have been out dating and drinking and partying….but I was pretty depressed and miserable at the time to do much. I think I was searching for something spiritual. I started reading allot of weird stuff on Celtic Mythology and it got me to researching in the libraries about various ancient stories written down over the ages by many groups of people all over the world.
Long story short, I became very moved and affected by many of these mythologies. Allot of them, especially the Greek and Irish stories where very stirring to me, and made me see something in story-telling that mankind had but lost somewhere in time. So, I decided to start collecting these tales and writing them down and writing my own book. I got 5 or 6 large notebooks filled up with a complete novel, but never got around to writing it out and revising it.
So, now in my 40’s I have decided to revisit these stories and my writings. I find that when you are young, you have a passion and very vibrant imagination. Now that Im older, I see how much I have lost since my youth. But glad that I still have my inspirations written down. My idea now, is to compile these very large book and get it written out and published somehow. Its a very strange book and not like anything out there. My question is, what is the market like for fiction and fantasy mythological books like this? Is it a waste of time, as so many people have done this before, or is my project and approach sound unique to anyone? thanks
hello i wonder if anyone can help me? I was thinking of starting to write a book but wondered if there was any point due to the subject in hand. The book would be based on my personal experiences but in a more light hearted way. It would be about my pregnancy and birth experience.
I have had a really unlucky year, and falling pregnant was the last thing i was expecting to happen. I wasn’t even in a relationship and had infact just ended one. one that i thought was ment to be.. ment to be for a very long time. everything was going happily untill the day i found out the shocking news that my partner had been seeing one of the women i work with,and i was helping to train. For quite some time to i might add.
I went round my very close friends house to have a moan, wine was opened, long side a fair few others… one thing led to another… and now i have my beautifull baby boy!!
After a horrible pregnancy, … doing it alll on my own… and having no where to live,a horrible birth (which im sure most mothers can relate to) things are finally sorting them self out and i am begining my life as a mummy. single handly but worth all the hard times i have been through the reactions of people around me and peoples attitude towards my pregnancy and the situation i found myself in.
Now i am a very proud mummy of a beautifull little boy who is my world, My life, my little miracle!!
Things happen for a reason and i would love to share my experience with anyone who would like to read about it.
It would be a book full of humour, depth, emotion and little situations im sure most women/girls have found them self in at some point in there life. I would be really greatfull if someone could get back to me and advise me if it is a book worthy of starting or just a simple idea that should be dismissed.
I would be greatfull of anyones opinion positive and negative. Thank you in advance for your help
kind regards.
S Morgan
Hello all – I have researched for around a decade on my subject (my birthplace in the south of Mauritius and the its whole district – Savanne). Now just after retirement (I was the Director of Environment)I have started the writing. I published some extracts from my manuscripts in Mauritius Times for about three years. The response from readers brought about the realisation of a public secret: simplicity of language AND sincerity. Both are difficult to attain. Now at 65, that’s my battle – simple language. Few writers debates mention this. I have also come across a number of Mauritian ‘writers’ who would be happy if I did’nt write.
I have also learnt NOT to worry about the publishing. Cross that bridge when you reach it.
Tiberman Sajiwan Ramyead – Mauritius
Hi! I’m fifteen.
My cousin and I started writing a story just to experiment.
I am finding that I really love the story, the plot, the characters, etc., and because I know the story can be great I want to make it the best it can possibly be.
I consider myself a decent writer, but I know I have a lot to learn and want to improve my writing skills.
Any advice?
Scott,
Thanks for an interesting article and free flow of thoughts and information that it has inspired.
Did you create “Unpublished but better than you” as a dramatic foil? He’s served his purpose and the time is ripe for his demise, preferably in a particularly gruesome and painful manner.
You have responded particularly well, by not responding! Is this leading by example about criticism? [Accept valid input, ignore the bulk, and move on?] Thx again. :)
I have just started writing a book. I’ve started writing all sorts of different books, but I always have stopped on a certain page, read it over, and gave up. Each time, I tell myself I have to do this, and get it finished, but each time, i find them stupid. I’m only thirteen, and I love writing fantasy books. This article really helped me out, and I decided that I will finish this one, even if it’s the most stupid book on the planet.
-Darth
I write for a living, and I’ve always considered writing to be the easiest profession that makes the most money.
The great secret is knowing that 99% of the reading public are fucking morons who wouldn’t know shit writing from “good writing” or “great writing.” Take a look around the Internet — those who infest the World Wide Web comprise a mere 20% of the entire human population; and these Web denizens are largely self-absorbed and undereducated assholes. Their grammar sucks, their spelling is atrocious, and they labor under the delusion that posting incomprehensible gibberish on a message board is the same as “writing.”
This bodes ill for the remaining 80% of the human population, who are even less educated than those who can afford personal computers.
However, once you become cognizant of just how fucking stupid are the majority of people, you have cleared the most formidable obstacle to writing professionally. The trick is to WRITE FOR MORONS. I don’t care if you’re an English major, you’re never going to make the big money until you start writing for 5th and 6th graders. That’s the AVERAGE reading comprehension level in the Western world.
Certainly, you can bust your ass researching and writing some tome of transcendental truth, or composing an exposé of political injustice, but for all your effort you’re only going to sell two dozen books. If you intend to become wealthy through writing, then you must set your sights on the bigger, broader audience… You must write for morons.
Scott, the article was wonderful! thank you
I am a novice writer who is taking the quantum leap at writing a book.I have a interesting idea, and a great beginning, but I need input to make it work. In a nutshell I am writing a book about men. I need to find a place on the internet where I can post a questionnaire targeting women’s respones generaly but it would not be discriminative to men. Does anyone have any suggestions? Relax guys, it’s a book that both sexes should have fun with!
I’ve enjoyed the banter in response to Unpublished-but-better-than-you and hope that he/she has hopped back on to see what responses were posted. I’m not into name calling but I can sure think of a few that would fit.Don’t take things so seriously!
This blog posting cracks me up. It just reminds how people ask me “How do you build a dot com”. You can pretty much take this blog posting replace references to “book” with “website” make some minor adjustments.
Question so My book is written and published but I need to get it into stores how do I do that? If you have the time would love an answer to direct me thanks Elaine
How to write a book. Write the outline and then fill it in. It’s that easy. If the motivation is there you’ll get it done.
The research is always a blast, an incredible journey of discovery.
I think the best writer ever is Stephen J. Cannell. Just brilliant at capturing how the every day can have powerful effects. I was surprised to see in his interview for the Archive of American Television that he doesn’t bother to spell check. He writes it down and gives it to his secretary to proof. The guy just loves to write and it shows.
Finding others who share your struggle and desire is often the only motivation you need to take action! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for these useful pieces of information. I am attempting to write a non-fiction novel based off of a good friend’s life and as she presented me with the idea of the book, I felt a little lost. Honestly, I felt quite rusty in my writing but I found that I was becoming increasingly excited about getting started, yet more anxious that I didn’t know where to start from.
I’ll keep referring back to you, Scott, as I think I’ve found my rock in you!
I’m back again…Scott I apologize for using your site as a springboard but I hope you understand that I’m desparate for exposure to enlist input for my book and I need to use any network I can…thank you for allowing this intrussion…
I think Common Sense is more challenging for men in more situations than it is for women and I’m out to prove it. Please visit my new blog and let me know how you feel about it. Be a part of the research for my book. thank you
http://behaviorofmen.blogspot.com/
Thank You!
I love writing and I love reading. I love poetry. I’ve wanted to write a book ever since I was eleven, and I’m fourteen now. My parents say I should really get some of my work published, but I have so many problems. a) I can never stick to something. I try as hard as I can, but either the plot ends too quickly or I get bored. Tis the curse of ADHD. b) I usually make it too cheesy. Whether making a character too perfect, or a life too hard/lovely. Nags me to no end. c) My ideas are very limited. I have no idea what to write about most of the time, and when I do, it’s beautiful nonsense.
Any tips for a struggling fourteen-year old female writer?
Scott,
If you are really somewhere in the woods near Washington State, lucky you. Great place to be in July, a bit cold in January.
Saw your UTUBE presentation. You speak of failure as I do. I have reffered to failures as a profit. A profit when spent could buy more than any profit from success. Most persons cannot grasp this. When I speak of this to the linesmen (people who wait in lines) they pass me off as an escapee.
I am one of those non-degree types you speak of. Proud of that too. Was in an industry for 25 years and completely changed it. Yes I did. All along the way I was harrassed. Met a guy named CP years ago who told me about the “No People” (people who say no). CP told me how free it is to say NO. People say NO because it is easy and cheap. No comes without responsibility. But CP also told me that every “no” puts you closer to a yes.
I became famous in the industry I had changed. Fame is fun for a while, not always. Those “No People” stand in line to speak to you. You know what I speak of. Does this ring any bells…It is 8:00 am and your coming down the elevator to meet and great in the convention hall. The door opens and there they are, all of the linesmen and those “no-people” waiting to shake your hand. They all want to be you. They could have been you but they were in line somewhere when you flew by. Hehe
Thanks for letting me know I am heading in the WRITE direction.
Mark
Right now im writng a book about myself,most of it is the negative things i did that caused me my job,and my trust in my family,this is my only chance to earn and live,and let others know the bad life i went through and family problems i faced,which affected me so badly,
i want to publish this book and maybe people who read my book may learn some important things in life and how to fight the wrong side of our lives,
this is the first time for me to write a book…
I need your advice
this was amazing and it helped me a lot. i was stumped for months until i read this.
You know you’ve written something great when people are still commenting a year and a half later!
My hidden question when asking “how do you write a book” is more about format for submission to a publisher… do I just start tapping away in Word, or would I be better off getting Quark or something? See, I am truly clueless when it comes to desktop publishing software.
Hey! I love your advice, though discouraging at first, the title did not lie. It was nothing but the cold hard truthful facts! So Scott Berkun, I look forward to hearing more from you and Thank you for your words of obviousness!!
Hey. I read all you said and it sort of got me inspired. I was in Language Arts class today (Note to you: I am only 15.) and we were talking about writing biographies. Well, I decided it would be nice if I could write a book. And here I am searching on Google for tips on how to write a book. Well I am really interested in lots of things. For example, I like to read books that are historical fiction or just plan fiction. I like WWI/WWII and medieval kind of books. But I have decided to start to write a somewhat short book/diary of a teenager who is facing difficulties in life and his parents are fighting all the time. I would like some tips from you on writing this kind of book.
I hope you can see my e-mail. If not then register for my site and contact “Admin”. That would be me.
thanks scott
it is a pleasure to see the critics. They only encourage me to make more grammatical errors and sell more books. Thanks again for the inspiration.
craig in the yucatan
If you have doubts about writing a book, or think you cant do it, I’m fourteen and just finished a 240 page novel. I could do it and so can you
That was great, I decided I will make a film instead.
Sally Feb 24-09
Theank you for your comments, I have been thinking a long time of starting to write a book, about my expirences when I was a diplomant wife aronund the world. I think my story can be great so I would like to write it the best I can.
Sally
I have to admit I liked your article, the right amount of advice, critisism, wit, and positive reinforcement. Sadly its not quite enough, simply put I have great stories, no problems writing as some mentioned here the difficult part or rather putting work into it and not knowing where to go next. I love writing and it comes easy to me my problem is can I really afford to do it. I have a wife and a son and while I think others would enjoy my stories would I even be able to get published on a low end well enough to pay the bills persay? I know it’s a question asked quite often and I’ll be doing a bit more searching and I may turn up some answers I just would like to hear it from someone who has been there.
Thank you for your honesty.
I’ve been an avid reader most of my life. Started with comics at 3 and progressed to college texts on math/sciences by 11. Self-taught speed reading had me killing up to 60 books a day. Even Tale of Two Cities and Way and Peace became dinner to bed reads when they were issued as book report material in 7th and 8th grade. Fiction, especially Science-Fiction and Fantasy caught me in my teens. I’ve been writing since age 6 but have never bothered submitting anything. Now, for many reasons, I am working on a series of novels (currently planned to be 3) and some short stories all based in the same universe (as it were). It is challenging due to some of the reasons that helped spur the decision. however, I think with the internet as a resource, and the time and effort I am willing to put into it I should at least succeed in writing something that is publishable. I may never be rich but I plan on being a working writer.
thanks for the article. I love to “write” stories, that is in my head i do. I can imagine so many different places, situations, and stories. However, when I sit down to write them out or pick up paper and pen to write it out, I can’t seem to word it right. At least, not all of what i wanted to write. I have great openers, the first “chapter”, so to speak comes so naturally. I can do an outline of what I want to say, how I want the story to go, but, when it comes to actually writing the whole thing out I get stuck. I guess thats the right word for it. I probably wouldnt have felt this way if it werent for the girls at work that were curious as to what I was writing, so I sent it to them. Now, they are all asking when they can read more, it got me really excited that they liked what I wrote. That even if it wasnt something to appeal the masses that it would ease some of the humdrum of the office, which was why I was writing it in the first place an escape, a relief that there was something beyond the walls that encircled us. Any ideas, on how to overcome the blockage???
To: “Unpublished_but_better_than_you”
Bitterness will get you places. If you have nothing good to write it’s better to say nothing at all. Be a better person. It’s ok. Really!
When writing a book using the computer, what program do you recommend using?I am thinking of using MS Word but if there is something better out there I will look into it.
I am writeing a book even though I am only twelve and everyone says it passes for expert. I have almost finished it and I have many people wanting the next chapter and the next chapter. I write plainly because it is fun and now I realize that I have a talent for it. Thainks for the help.:):)