As a published author of eight novels, I am frequently asked by friends and associates how to go about writing a book because they have a story they want to get down on paper. I am an advocate and supporter of anyone who has the desire to write a good story; however, before you begin, I suggest strongly that you put your idea out to people to gauge how much interest there is on that subject. I talk to a lot of people who want to write their life stories but unfortunately, they may not generate interest from readers unless your life story is unusually interesting and intriguing, one that is unusual and unmatched by everyone else’s. What is interesting to a writer isn’t always interesting to readers, although I do believe there is a genre and a place for just about every subject.

If you are one of many new writers who doesn’t know where to begin, you need to understand that actually writing the story is only a very small part of the entire process of creating a book and then marketing it. Writing is the fun part, but there is so much more beyond that, which deters a lot of new authors from finishing their books. Here is what you need to know before you begin.

Plan Out Your Idea

Having a great idea is one thing, but will it fill an entire book? Will it generate interest from readers? What is its genre? Who will your target audience be? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before even getting started. Play out your story idea as if it was a movie on television. Decide exactly what will happen, where it will happen, how it will happen and why. Who will be in the story? Visualize your characters – what they will look like, what character traits they will have. Will someone be the “villain” in the story? You will need to describe characters, places and events very clearly in your book so that readers can visualize what you are. One thing that works for me is creating an outline of the story, where I can write out the characters, places and order of events a little better, which can make actually writing the story a little easier so that you aren’t jumping around. It helps to avoid plot holes.

Choose Your Writing Platform

There are several websites for writers to help get your story out. I am very traditional and still use Microsoft Word for all of my books, but there are other sites that can also help, like NovelEasy or Google Docs, and some will even offer proofreading and editing services, which can be invaluable. Take the time to research different websites that offer these services to gauge which you feel most comfortable with.

Write Your Story

Once you’ve selected the application you want to write your story with, start writing. Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect. This is your rough draft, which you will go back and edit, so just getting your ideas in a storyline on paper is a good enough start. You can always go back later to fill in the gaps and put it all together in a more sensible manner. I know authors who write parts of their stories in another document and then piece them together as they go along, while others simply write them out in order of events. As you write, remember to describe everything from surroundings, smells, character traits and appearances, how they felt, etc. because again, you want your readers to visualize what you are seeing in your mind while writing the story, kind of like they are watching a movie. For example, instead of saying “the rain poured”, you might describe how the rain smelled, how it felt on the character’s skin or puddled on the ground. Describe everything using as much detail as possible so that your readers get the full experience. Also pay very close attention to spelling and punctuation. If those basic things aren’t correct, there isn’t a publisher around that will consider your work, no matter how good the story.

Format Your Book

Now that your story is written, the real work begins. Even with your chapters broken down and your grammar and punctuation correct, you still need to format the document for a novel. There are several websites that will explain how to properly format your book and some writing sites that will even do it for you. Beware of the scammers, though, as many “publishing” companies are out to overcharge for this service when, with a little research, you can do it on your own for free.

Edit, Edit, Edit

I can’t stress this part enough. As redundant as it can feel to keep rereading your story, over and over, it has to be done. Do not skip this part because it is the most important one. There is editing software available online, as well as professional editors, some who even offer discounts and per chapter pricing if you can’t afford to have the entire document edited all at once. I do recommend using a professional as not all editing software is accurate, nor can they find plot holes but, on a strict budget, at least use the software.

Get Beta Readers

When you are finished editing and you feel that your book is polished – the spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct and the chapters are laid out correctly, it is time to get opinions from beta readers. Some authors use their family and friends, even coworkers, but they can sometimes be biased and hold back honesty to spare your feelings, so I recommend a true beta reader, someone who is unbiased, doesn’t know you and is willing to be brutally honest about your book. A negative opinion can sting a bit but trust me, it is better to find the mistakes BEFORE it goes to publishers. Beta readers can tell you if the story flows well, if it makes sense and if there are any holes in the plot that were left out. They offer the feedback you need before a publisher reads it.

Query Literary Agents & Publishers

Once you have made all of the corrections to your manuscript, you are ready to submit it for publishing. Some authors choose to self-publish so that they can retain all royalties from book sales but, for those of you who choose the traditional route through a publisher, you will likely need to go through a literary agency because most publishing companies do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. You will need to research which literary agents accept your genre and query only them. Literary agencies always have their submission requirements listed on their websites, and it is imperative to follow them exactly. Otherwise, your submission will be quickly discarded. Most require a properly written query letter, and many will also ask for a summary of your book and a few sample pages or chapters. They may also require a biography. Not all agents require the same things so, again, take the time to read what they want to see. It is also important to remember that these agencies receive hundreds of submissions, so it can sometimes be months before you hear back, if at all. Don’t be discouraged if your work is not accepted. It doesn’t mean that your writing or your story isn’t good. Agents need to be able to sell your book in order for everyone to make a profit, and that isn’t always there, even with a good story.

So, now that you know how to go about writing your novel, I wish you the best in your endeavors. A few things to remember…

• Not everyone is going to be published traditionally so don’t be discouraged by rejections. The best authors have received numerous in their careers, so don’t give up.
• If traditional publishing doesn’t work out for you, there is always self-publishing, but don’t be fooled by boutique publishers who offer to do it at a high cost. This can be done by you for a fraction of that.
• There is always a place for your story, always someone who wants to read it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Your book belongs.

Happy writing!!