Useful Tips on Writing Your First Book
Write!
Whether you are planning to write a fiction, non-fiction, a children’s book or a mystery, the first and the foremost of tips that I can give you is to WRITE! Do not waste your time thinking about what to write, how to write, where to begin, etc. Keep some pages or a dairy with you at all times and simply scribble whatever thoughts come in your mind. You never know what creative ideas for writing a book for the first time you may come up with, while sipping a coffee in a cafe or watching an old woman walk her dog in the garden!
Time It!
Setting aside a few hours everyday for writing is very important. So, if you have college or work in the morning, make it a point to write for two-three hours in the evening. You can always make use of your weekends, if you wish to write for long hours. By writing on a set time everyday, you are kind of forming a routine. This routine of writing everyday will do you good in your writing future, especially if it is book writing that interests you.
Choose an Idea!
I am assuming here that by now, you already have some story idea, around which you wish to write a book. As you are a beginner, one of the most useful tips on writing your first book that I can give you is to select a genre that interests you and which you are comfortable writing in. Mystery, romance, non-fiction, fantasy – choose to write on a subject that has always been your favorite.
Build on the Idea!
Start developing on the idea that you have. A trick that many new writers use is to first write the basic plot of around two, three pages and then start writing the book around it. After you have written the gist of your novel, write about the characters in detail, their basic nature, their strengths, their weaknesses and all those things that make them unique and different. Decide on the setting of the novel – whether it’s some real place that you want the novel to be set in or a fictitious place. You need to decide on the time period too. For this, a thorough research will be required from your side.
Read!
Along with writing your own book, get hold of some books that are written in the same genre by some well known authors and read them. By reading these books, you will find inspiration to write your own book. However, inspiration and getting influenced are two very different things, so keep this in mind while writing a book for the first time.
Study!
It is never too late to educate yourself. So, to brush up your writing skills, take a course in writing. In these courses, various kinds of writing exercises are conducted, which will help in improving your language, expression and flow of writing.
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