There is a common school of thought that says everyone has at least one book in them. If this is true, then I think writers like Marian Keyes and Stephen King are massively overachieving and the rest of us have some serious catching up to do!
So you have this brilliant idea for a book; it has been braising nicely in the slow cooker of your mind for quite some time and it feels like it’s time to dish up. Here are five things to consider before you write your first book.
1. Who will you write for?
Mainly yourself. Write the book you would love to read. That being said, the book you are dreaming up may be far removed from the genres you prefer to read. And that’s okay. Whilst it might be advisable for you to read a few examples from your chosen category, it’s not actually essential or compulsory, as long as you are able to write with confidence or have done some relevant research for empowerment.
It’s never a bad idea to have some concept of your target audience as well. Who is your ideal reader? Who will love your book the way you do? What do they want to hear from you?
2. What will you write?
The world truly is your oyster here. Literally any subject under the sun and if the subject doesn’t already exist, make it up. That is the absolute beauty of fiction writing, it can be anything your brain wishes to conjure up, books are the best kind of magic.
You can write a short story, a novella, a full length story, a trilogy, a play, a poem – again, anything your little writer’s heart desires. Sometimes you just need to get the words out of your head and then you will be able to identify its final form. You won’t always know until you start, what the end will be.
3. Why write?
You already know the answer to this one. Because you have to. Because the idea just won’t go away, it’s in there and it has to come out. Sometimes an idea can grow and fester over years until you just can’t bear to hear yourself think it over any longer and other times you will have a flash of inspiration and start making notes immediately.
There is no wrong way to write a book. If you know it’s in there but have no clue how to express that, my advice would be to talk to a writing coach. Time spent in discussion about your book with a skillful coach will enable them to coax the story from you and to help you find your flow.
4. When will you write?
It’s an old adage but there really is no time like the present. The best time to start writing was yesterday and the second best time is right now – what are you waiting for? Again, a writing coach may be able to help you remove those barriers.
Seriously, once you get going you will be writing anywhere and everywhere, because that’s how the words will come. Dictating into your phone while sat at a red light (hands on the wheel throughout please) or while in the bath. Scribbled sentences while you pretend to look interested in that meeting at work. One eye on the football with your notebook on your lap.
You don’t have to set aside masses of time. It’s helpful if you can, but there are ways around that. Again, a writing coach can help to keep you accountable and on task.
5. Where will you write?
This is the easiest one of all and the answer is: anywhere and everywhere. In a notebook, on the back of a receipt, using the Notes app on your phone. Basically you have to be prepared for whenever and wherever inspiration may strike. At some point you will have to collate all these snippets of dialogue and character development and plot twists, but guess what? That is how you write a book!
Leave a Reply