Ever wondered what it REALLY takes to write a book?
It’s a good question because it’s definitely not the easiest process in the world!
I’ve got a few books under my belt now, but that sure didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I toyed with the idea of writing my first book for 10 YEARS before I finally put pen to paper! And once I finally decided to give it a shot, I still struggled…
I would put down some sentences, reread them, convince myself I couldn’t write, and toss my efforts in the trash where I thought they belonged. I’d quit for a while until that urge to tell a story got too strong to ignore. After several false starts, I finally got the confidence to get my ideas down without becoming my own worst critic!
Once I grasped the concept and idea, I wrote the unedited version of my first book in about 3 months. I guess practice makes perfect, because I banged out my second book in about 2 months, start to finish.
Now writing feels more like a gift than a constant challenge, so I thought I’d share a few tips that worked for me. Hopefully this will inspire you to gather your courage and tell your own story!
- Write Something Every Day
Even if just ideas, or notes, or a character sketch. What you write doesn’t matter at first- it’s just about getting into the practice of writing every single day. The more you write, the more your ideas flow, and you’ll be amazed as your chapters start coming together right before your eyes!
- Try Different Genres
I love stories about adventure and treasure hunting, but I’m a man of many talents! I also have a couple of children’s books waiting for the publication process. It was so much fun to let my imagination run wild creating stories about monsters under the bed or a talking tugboat that saves the day!
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a new story direction. You might just surprise yourself…
- Find Your “Write” Time
Sleep has never come easy to me, so I decided to use my insomnia to my advantage! Rather than lying awake, wishing for sleep, I chose to get up and write in the wee hours.
I do most of my best work between 2-5 am. The house is quiet, the world is peaceful, and I am free to let my mind wander and see where it takes me.
If you’ve ever thought about writing, I hope you’ll give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose, and the world can always use another great story!
