Why everyone should write a book (and 7 simple tips to do so)
Everyone should write at least one book in their lifetime that reflects your individuality, experience and wisdom – even if it’s just something you hand down to your grandchildren and they hand onto their children.
There are a number of benefits to be had from writing a novel of your own. For instance, it’s like therapy. Through the process of writing a book you are bound to learn about yourself. We hear you say, “Well, I already know myself pretty well”… but we guarantee there are sides of yourself to be uncovered by doing something you’ve never done before, like writing a book. This is especially true if you write about something that matters to you or your own life experiences. In doing so you will keep digging deep inside yourself to discover new facets of your story and hidden corners of your personal experience. How many opportunities does one get for this level of self-reflection?
Secondly, it’s a great way to keep your ticker healthy. And it might even make you smarter, too. No matter what you choose to write about, at some point you will have to do some research. In doing research, you will unravel a wealth of related information, and before long you will be educating yourself on all aspects of the world you are creating.
So now that we’ve convinced you to write a book, comes the very big task: actually getting started. Every writer has to start somewhere and luckily we’ve compiled seven simple steps to help you!
1. Start small
Somewhere in the ballpark of 300 words per day is plenty. It’s how many great writers do it. For example, John Grisham began his writing career as a lawyer. He got up early every morning and wrote one page. You should do the same.
2. Write an outline
To help keep you motivated and to make the process more manageable, begin by writing up a table of contents to guide you. Then break up each chapter into a few sections. The best way to do this is by thinking of your book in terms of beginning, middle, and end.
3. Make “writing time”
By having a set time to work on your book every day, it will encourage you to make writing part of schedule and eventually feel habitual. If you want to take a day or two off per week, schedule that as time off. Don’t just let the deadline pass. And don’t let yourself off the hook.
4. Pick a “nice” spot to write
Choose a unique place to write – like on the porch overlooking the garden, your most-loved coffee shop or at the desk by your favourite window in the house. This needs to be different from where you do other activities. The idea is to make this a special space so that when you enter it, you’re ready to work on your project.
5. Have a set word count
Think in terms overall word count and then break each chapter into roughly equal lengths. In terms of total word count, common lengths for different works include:
- 10,000 words: a pamphlet
- 20,000 words: short eBook or print book
- 40,000–50,000 words: good-sized nonfiction book
6. Set deadlines (weekly)
It can be a word count, percentage of progress, whatever. Just have something to aim for, and someone (partner, friend or family member) who will hold you accountable.
7. Embrace bumps in the road
Knowing that writing a book, as amazing as it is SURE to be, will have it’s challenges too. Well worth them, of course, but prepare for challenges and be okay with them. Give yourself grace. That’s what will sustain you, not high standards of perfection.
Good luck!
Related links:
Why a little “me time” is the answer to a stress-free life
10 little ways to boost your happiness
Keeping a journal can boost your health