Now, many of you who are reading this article or any other similar kind of write-up might be planning to publish and release a book. Well, if you are one of those readers, who is looking forward to get their book published soon, then I guess this write-up may truly help you in so many aspects. Writing a book is a not an easy task, it certainly requires a plenty of efforts from the end of the writer. However, if the development of a book is carried out with a tried and tested manner by following the appropriate steps then it becomes an easy job!
Writing at least one book in lifetime is a dream for many, who are indulged in their jobs or full-time business or any other professional tasks and lacks the time to carry out such a hefty job like writing a book. Therefore, here through this write-up, I would try to simply the process of writing a book for all those ones who dreams to publish at least a book in their lifetime! Well, before going further let me also mention that writing a book is an art as well as science, since along with using your creativity, there are certain parts of the operation, which you need to carry out very much in a specific manner only.
So, let us have a look over these 5 Simple Steps, which can help you to write a book in an easy manner –
1) Develop the Primary Idea: Ideas are all around you and you might draw inspiration from a routine, an everyday situation or a childhood memory. Alternatively, keep a notebook specifically devoted to catching your ideas as they come to you. Your own imagination is the only limit to finding your source of inspiration. Two of the most popular methods of fleshing out your idea are free writing and brainstorming. Free writing means writing every idea that comes into your head. Do not stop to edit your mistakes and just let the ideas flow. On the other hand, try brainstorming. If you are on a computer, try a manual process first to help you visualize your narrative: write your idea in the centre of the page and work outwards in all of the different directions you can take your story!
2) Plan, Structure & Research: Piecing the puzzle together comes next. It is time to sort through your ideas and choose which ones you will use to form your story. Make sure you keep your notes even after your book gets published, as they may be the seeds for your next story as well. In addition, research is an essential tool for professional writers. If you are writing a non-fiction book, you will likely want to spend time in libraries and archives, absorbing everything you can about your subject. Research is helpful for fiction writers too, as it can provide helpful context for the time-period or character archetypes that you are writing about. Read books or listen to podcasts that cover subject matter similar to yours.
3) Work on First Draft: As you will be writing your first draft, you may encounter self-doubt, lack of motivation, and writers’ block, which is very much normal. Therefore, whenever you feel stuck, try going back to your outline or research for inspiration. Try to manage your expectations as well. Your first book is likely not going to be a generational masterpiece or a bestselling book and that is okay. If you compare yourself to literary greats, you are doing your work a disservice. All you can do is keep writing until you reach the end. So, just keep your focus in the right direction and complete your first draft soon in order to get down to an even bigger part.
4) Revise, Edit & Proofread: Every good book goes through many rounds of revisions. You can endure the editing process yourself or ask a friend or professional editor to help. Either way, you need to have an honest, ruthless eye on your writing so that you can know what needs re-working. Look for sentences that rely on cliché tropes or overly common descriptors. If you are writing fiction, try to determine where there are character inconsistencies, plot holes, or gaps in logic. Develop a system to keep track of your edits. Also, make sure to carry out the proofreading process too along with the editing of the manuscript so that all the things are done in one go!
5) Get Published: Once you have finished your final draft, after the editing and proofreading along with a careful revision, then it is time to get published. With the rise of online marketplaces and e-readers like the Kindle, self-publishing is easier than ever. Alternatively, if you want to go the traditional route, you can submit a book proposal to a publishing house, ideally with the help of a literary agent. Moreover, once you get successfully published, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and start working on your next book, that’s it.
So, as you just read it yourself, book writing is not that a hefty job if it’s done by following the proper steps and those steps being carried out in the directed manner!
Written By NEEL PREET – Author of the Books, Voice From The East (2016); Journey With Time Place And Circumstances (2018) & Indian Defence Files (2021).
