I want to write a book, can anyone tell me what's the best way to go about? (Serious answers only please)

Question

I don't have a college degree or anything like that but I do want to start writing a book along the lines of interracial prejudice within the Black community. I was just hoping that someone could (seriously) tell me how to start writing a book that I could possibly have published.

Answer 1

Get the writer's guide 2006. the library will have the 2005 edition, that's a great starting place, too.

there are also books that can help you organize your thoughts, content, etc.

if you get three good chaptesr and a synopsis, you can shop it around to the agencies listed in the writer's guide.

go to a book signing by an author of similiar genres, and ask advice (or write them, through their publishers). Many pros love to share advice!

Join a local writer's group, or at least an online one. Beginning writers love to share and support each other!

good luck.

Answer 2

Here are a few steps......

Start with an outline and get it reviewed. A good outline is the backbone to any type of writing. It is how you sort your thoughts and make sure the topics flow. It also is the guide so you don't leave information out.

Research, research, research. This may be on line, reading other books and publications, and interviewing people. You have to know your topic factually, otherwise, your writing will be challenged and not taken seriously. There is a ton of information regarding your subject matter. If you have a new take on it or a modern take on it... go for it. Just make sure you base things in fact.

Have people review your writing. Find a few friends or relatives that can be objective editors. Take the suggestions / criticism objectively and improve what you have written.

When the manuscript is finished, shop it around. Do not blindly submit it to publishers... do your research for companies that are looking for new talent and / or specialize in publishing material in your topic area.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

start with an organizer to gather you thoughts(this will grow as you write) also make detailed descriptions of each character so far, you will loose and gain characters as you go so don't be afraid of change. Try to write a rough draft and you will sort all the things you don't want out of the way. you will probably re-write this book about three or four times and then it might take another year just to have a publisher look at it, don't be discouraged, and you don't have to finish this book, every book leads to a new idea, do you seriously think Stephen King actually finished or published all of the books he ever wrote?


good luck

i'm currently working on a book myself

Answer 4

Just a suggestion but you need to make sure you have a clear understanding and control of the English language. Ask yourself if you currently speak and write clearly. Do people understand what you want them to when you write. If not an English course and possibly a creative writing course is needed. If you can't effectively express your thoughts no one will read your book. Seek out writers and talk to them. And reading may be the most important aspect of writing effectively. Read everyday; magazines, books (not just how to books), newspapers, essays, poetry etc. Put yourself in an environment conducive to reading like the local library. I'm not saying to plagiarize but reading will help with ideas, style, sentence structure etc. If you write effectively your own style will emerge. It's not good enough to have ideas and want to write about them. Jim Murray, an award winning sports columnist was once asked by a fledgling writer what he had to do to become a great sports columnist. The answer was learn to write first. Try and find someone that can edit your work. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that everything you write is good. As Toni Morrison (1993 Nobel Prize winner in Literature) said,"a good editor will get rid of all the crap you love". Try reading "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison.

Answer 5

first of all you should get your ideas on paper and maybe a pretty good rough draft.. Go to your local library ask the librarian if she/he knows the best local book publisher. most librarians know a few. Take a trip to one and show them what yah got. show them your ideas. It will take them a while to get back to you about what they think. Publishing a book is a ling process, Don't be discurraged if they don't like the idea or tell you to change a couple things. Do what they tell you. If they lay it to you saying we do not think this idea will do to well or something like that try again and again or even go to a different publisher. Smaller publishers are usually the best to try next. They are always looking for new ideas and such. GOOD LUCK =]

Answer 6

1. read good writers. Use a pen and circle great passages.
2. write every day. even if it's a diary. try to write 1000 words that sound good, each day. it can be on anything.
3. frankly, it can take years before good writing starts coming out of you, but you have to hammer away. getting a job as a writer helps that.

you can also self-publish today. there is digital, on-demand printing available. if you sell 100 copies of your book without a publisher, maybe a literary agent will pick you up.

Answer 7

you have to do a lot of research and categorize your information in various topics chapters issues.
Then you have to write your thoughts - very important because it is writing that will take you there. so write write write ...

Read your writings six months later - you will find many mistakes and some flawed ideas by youself.

Then re-write and re-orgainze referring to your continous "ideas data base" all the time. What you write must be backed by some reliable sources.

Once you have written the whole book you may approach some of your trustworthy friends for their honest opinion.

The whole process can take alteast a couple of years - I have been trying to write for the past 2 years and I haven't finished my first chapter although I choosen a pretty difficult subject and I have researched the core material. I just haven't found the right stage and the right flash lights to flood it with in order to entertain the readers.

enjoy.

Answer 8

My best suggestion that with any book writting is to make a guide line of some of the subjects or things that you are wanting to talk about or have the character to go through. Try to plan your book. Make some scratch ideas. Plus if you are wanting to have some facts do some research. I hope that this helps.

Answer 9

Short of saying, sit down and write, there are several books about writing from plot development, character development, dialogue and so on. Start making notes about your story and start reading books on how to do it.

I'd say start writing anyway, it isn't as though you can't go back and make revisions of your first draft.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Do a search on the web by typing "how to write a book". You won't believe all the resources out there. That's where I got my answer to that same question. Good Luck.