Do you have a great story to tell, but don't know where to start? Are you intimidated by the thought of writing a book? Don't worry! This blog post is for you. In it, we will discuss how to write a book with no experience. We will provide expert tips and advice that will help beginners get started on their writing journey. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Consider Starting With Short Stories
While novels can be incredibly rewarding, they are also a huge undertaking. For many people, the best way to start writing is with shorter pieces, such as short stories. Short stories can be a great way to explore different voices and styles, and to get a feel for the rhythm of writing.
They can also be a great way to introduce readers to new characters and ideas. Best of all, they can be written in a relatively short amount of time, making them the perfect introduction to the world of writing.
Additionally, there are many short story competitions that you can enter to improve your writing chops and to get your work out there. Competitions can be a great way to get feedback on your work and to see how it stacks up against other writers and earn some money.
So if you're feeling intimidated by the thought of writing a book, why not start with something shorter? You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
If not, and you want to get straight into your first novel or non-fiction book, then keep reading for some expert tips on how to get started.
Be Clear On Your Goal
Before you start writing your book, it's important to take some time to think about your goals. What are you hoping to achieve with your book? Are you writing for fun or do you want to publish it?
If you're not sure, that's okay! There are no wrong answers. However, it can be helpful to have a clear idea of your goals before you start writing, as this will help you stay focused and on track.
If you're writing for fun, then you can afford to be more relaxed in your approach. You can experiment with different styles and voices, and you don't need to worry about whether or not your work is perfect.
On the other hand, if you're hoping to publish your book, then it's important to be more mindful of the market and what readers are looking for. Once you have a rough idea, you can validate your market using something like Publisher Rocket, which will allow you to find an untapped angle you could explore while scoping out the competition.
Research The Publishing Industry
If you're planning on selling your book, it's important to do your research and figure out the best route to take. There are benefits and drawbacks to both self-publishing and finding a literary agent. Self-publishing gives you more control over the creative process and allows you to get your book on the market more quickly.
However, it can be difficult to get your book noticed without the help of an established publisher. Finding a literary agent can help you get your book into the hands of major publishers, but it can be a long and difficult process.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to self-publish or find a literary agent depends on your goals and preferences.
Develop Your Book Outline
Before you begin writing your book, it is important to take some time to develop a clear outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your book has a cohesive structure.
Start by brainstorming a list of ideas for each chapter. Then, flesh out these ideas into more detailed summaries. Once you have a rough outline of your book, you will better determine what information is essential and what can be cut.
Outlining your book before you begin writing can seem like a waste of time, but it's actually one of the most effective ways to ensure that your finished product is well-organized and engaging.
By taking the time to develop a comprehensive outline, you'll have a roadmap to follow as you write, which will make the entire process much simpler. And, if you find that you need to make changes along the way, it's easy to adjust your outline accordingly.
You can download our Story Planner PDF to help you on your way or grab a paperback to plan and make notes in.
This will allow you to explore themes and develop your characters in a structured way.
Develop Each Chapter
Once you've created an outline for your book, you can start fleshing out each chapter. Begin by adding a working title and a brief summary of what will happen in the chapter. Then, add more detail by filling in key plot points and scenes.
As you develop each chapter, keep in mind the overall arc of the story and how each scene fits into the bigger picture. In addition, consider what characters need to be introduced and how their actions will drive the plot forward.
By taking the time to flesh out each chapter, you'll ensure that your book is well-organized and structurally sound.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can just sit down and start writing without any preparation. However, as you can see, taking the time to plan and outline your book beforehand will make the entire process much simpler and will help you create a better final product.
Write Your First Draft
Once you have fleshed out each chapter, you can start writing your first draft. At this stage, it's important to just get your thoughts down on paper and worry about editing later. This is the main thing, your first draft will be rough, it won't be perfect, but that is what tools like Grammarly and Prowriting Aid are for, final edits!
If you get stuck, don't hesitate to skip ahead to another section or come back to the problematic section at a later time. It's also helpful to read each chapter aloud once or twice as you go to ensure that the flow and pacing are comfortable for the reader.
Although it can be tempting to try to make your first draft perfect, resist the urge to edit as you go. Just let your thoughts flow onto the page and worry about polishing things up later.
Rewrite Your Draft (Second Draft)
Once you have finished writing your first it is essential to go over it again and refine it before cleaning it up in the editing process. It is tempting to skip the second draft, but this is a crucial part of the writing process.
This is where you will make sure your book flows, that your characters are believable and likable (or not!), and that your plot holes have been plugged.
Edit and Revise
While it is true that many writers hire an editor for their first book, there are also many benefits to editing the work yourself. First and foremost, editing your own work allows you to develop a stronger understanding of your own writing style and voice. Additionally, self-editing can help you to identify issues with pacing, plot, and character development.
Editing is also a great opportunity to fine-tune your use of language, ensuring that your writing is as clear and concise as possible. Of course, self-editing is not always easy, and it can be tempting to simply hand the work off to someone else. However, taking the time to edit your own work is an important step in becoming a stronger writer.
As mentioned previously, here, Grammarly or ProWritingAid are your best friends! If you wanted to take it a step further, you could use an advanced AI writing tool like Jasper, to rewrite paragraphs in a specific tone. Jasper can be connected to Grammarly to make the editing process even smoother, too.
Format and Publish Your Book
Once you have finished editing your book, it's time to format and publish it. If you're self-publishing, there are a number of different self-publishing platforms that you can use. You will want to format your book based on your desired platform's guidelines.
If you're looking to traditionally publish your book, you will need to query literary agents. This process can be daunting, but there are a number of resources available to help you. We have written a post on how to write a query letter to send to agents including templates and examples, this should be useful.
There you have it! These tips will help you write a book with no experience. Just remember to take your time, prepare in advance, and edit carefully.
