Writing a book?

Question

what books should i get for writing a good book and what should i do to get my book published

Answer 1

Good for you for wanting to start writing -- it's not for wimps!

There are lots of books on writing but there are really no "good" books on writing, all any of them can do is give you ideas of how to do it. Every author is different.

The way to write is to write. You can make a plan, most of the best writers do (it's very rare to write good books without planning) ... BUT, at the end of the day, you have to write.

Personally I start with a plot idea (what I want the story to be about) and then I start to fill in the characters who would make that story happen. I do a reasonably detailed outline of the plot and then start. Of course the plot changes as the characters do things I wasn't expecting, but that's fine and expected.

Don't worry about style or spelling or grammar at the beginning, just get the words down, get your thoughts on paper (or computer, whatever). If you use a computer switch off the grammar checker (computers are stupid, they don't know anything about grammar) and do without the spelling checker as well, they will just distract you from the job in hand.

You write it, then you put it aside for a few weeks. Ignore it.

Then you go back and be a reader instead of a writer. Make notes, jot down where things haven't worked, where you need to expand things, notice the spelling mistakes, the grammar errors. Then go through and correct it. And print out another fair copy -- and put it aside for a couple of weeks.

Then do it again. (You can switch on the spelling checker now, but make sure it is set for the country you are in -- don't use the US spelling checker for UK work and vice versa.)

After a couple of drafts you will now be in a position to go to someone else. Not a publisher or an agent, not yet, but find online (or offline) writing groups and critique groups. These people are not your friends and should give you an *honest* appraisal of the quality of your work.

You have to listen to what they say. If one person says "this bit didn't seem right" but you're happy then you can ignore them. But if two or three people say the same thing then there will be something wrong that needs correcting.

By the time you've gone through this process for a while (and at least a year has passed) you may be ready to start submitting t agents. You will need an agent for anything except SF and Fantasy.

You need to get the Writers & Artists Yearbook which lists all the agents. You find the ones that deal with the genre you're writing in, it will say what they want (an outline, a couple of chapters whatever) ONLY SEND WHAT THEY ASK FOR. If you do anything else they will reject you instantly.

If you do not present yourself as a professional, they will reject you instantly. These people get hundreds and thousands of manuscripts sent to them every year, the only way they can whittle down the numbers is by using every possible error to reject. Even misspelling the company name on the envelope could result in rejection.

An agent will take you on IF (and only if) they think they can sell your book to a publisher. The agents know the market and if they don't think they can sell it they will not take you on.

This is one of the toughest businesses you can get in to. You will have your ego battered, and receive rejection after rejection after rejection -- potentially hundreds of them. A friend of mine, who is now a successful author, spent 15 years trying to get published and wrote 20 books that weren't accepted. He's now had four novels published and has three more in the pipeline.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Can't recommend a book on writing a good book as I do Inspirational writing myself.

Can recommend any Artist or Writer investing in a copy of the Writers and Artists Year Book, which can be purchased in most book shops including W H Smiths. It is renewed each year - so try and get the latest copy.

The Writers and Artists Year Book is full of guidance and is invaluable for any Artist or Author. It even lists different publishers and what they are particularly interested in publishing, ie childrens novels, poetry etc.

Good Luck

Answer 3

I just finished my first novel. It's bloody hard work and once you've finished it, you're work's just begun. Getting stuff published is nearly impossible, it's turned into such a cut throat industry these days, but that shouldn't put you off. Go for it anyway, I don't regret spending 10 years writing mine, even if it never gets published, I'm just going to write another one and put the first one down to experience. Writing books is the best fun a person can have on there own, I love it.

I found Stephen King's On Writing quite useful for little tips and stuff. Nobody can tell you how to write, but a few hints about grammar, dialogue and stuff like that is really comforting. Stephen King has such a nice style with it as well and nobody can deny that he did pretty well for himself!!

Oh, just as an aside, I'm dyslexic and I still managed to write a book, so if I can do it, anyone can. Good luck. Have fun.

Answer 4

My personal favorite books on writing include:

1) "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser-- This is an excellent reference for any kind of writing. It will make your emails, essays, stories, and other writing clearer. I recommend this to everyone who wants to improve their writing skills.

2) "Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott-- This is slightly more geared towards fiction writing, but can be helpful when you are attacking ANY large project in your life. Definitely a must for creative writers, students, or people who are looking for an entertaining book on writing.

3) "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg. This definitely targets creative writing, and focuses on the practice of writing. I write a lot of poetry and am working on a novel, and this is incredibly motivational to me. Practicing your writing every day will help teach you how to put those ideas together.

4) "On Writing" by Stephen King. This really contains two different stories-- one that is his life, and another which is lessons to writers.

Just to name a few, that is!

As far as publishing goes, I wouldn't worry about that yet. For fiction, you really need to have your book written first before you start shopping it to agents and publishers. They generally aren't willing to take that big of a chance on an unknown writer if the book isn't completed.

Once it is complete, I have some more reading recommendations to you-- "The Guide to Literary Agents" and "Writer's Market". These books are basically massive databases of places you can submit your work to. I'd recommend starting with an agent, because they are instrumental in getting your foot in the door AND at negotiating contracts.

Answer 5

The top book used in film schools that teaches storytelling, which are the only schools that still teach storytelling, is "Story" by Robert McKee.

Other good books include Screenplay by Syd Field.

These two books will show you the importance of the structure of storytelling. Many writers learn this subconsciously by reading fiction but cannot express what they've learned. This is why they will often say the way to write a book is to "just write!"

Answer 6

fearless:
I can't spell and my puctuation is horrible. I write from the heart. The computer helped with above problems. I've met many, many writers? That went to writing schools, read book after book on writing but have not put a word on paper. Write your book first and then get help putting it together. On self publishing see below
The web is full of self publishing companies. I wrote and published two books and found my third printing company to be the best. I can't put their name here as they say i'm advertising. I'm only trying to help other writers? I make nothing for this help. Anyhow, this company charges nothing for setup fees which others are costly. If you wish email me at [e-mail] and i will give you any info you want in this regard.
Wayne

Answer 7

If you're writing a book it should be 100% by yourself. Only you can be you!

Publishing is a vicious business so you have to approach as many people as possible in hopes of someone taking notice. Send them an introductory letter about you and your book, plus a synopsis and a sample chapter. Good luck!

Answer 8

There are lots of resources out there for aspiring writers. Your local newsagent/supermarket will probably have magazines on the shelf that you can buy/subscribe to. Try some of these:

http://www.writersnews.co.uk/main/default.asp

http://www.ability.org.uk/writers_resources_publications.html

http://www.thenewwriter.com/maginfo.htm

http://www.writers-forum.com/

Answer 9

Get an agent.
But if you need a book to tell you how to write a good book, I shouldn't bother!

Answer 10

www.write-choiceservices.com helped me get my cookbook published - they were wonderful!