Why It Is A Good Time To Start Writing A Book

by Vasy Kafidoff

Writing a book is quite an achievement and many people dream about it. For outsiders, it seems sometimes monumental and almost impossible to do. Yet, it is completely manageable and everyone who wants to do it and is ready to work will accomplish this task. Why? Because tons of other authors have done it and no one is born with this skill.

Now is a great time to begin, whether you are working for a letter writing service or have a traveling blog. Or even if you have no experience at all, the best time to start is today and here are several reasons why.

Reasons to Begin Today

-        In our age, the publishing process is much simpler. In previous times, it took a lot of time and effort to write letters to publishers, to get numerous rejections and wait for a company to accept one’s novel. Now, it is not necessary at all. A lot of people start with online publications and attract followers and readers. Many resources allow online self-publishing and if the digital copy will be successful, a publishing company might find you first.

-        There are lots of open sources of information. Thanks to the Internet we have access to libraries, studies, researches, seminars and all the types of knowledge. It certainly quite easy to find information, learn where to start or simply get inspired by motivational quotes by writers or look for motivation on studyblr. Making research for a book is accessible to anyone. Globalization also helps to find new ideas and provides a wider audience.

-        One can learn from others much easier. When it comes to writing the best way to get better at it is to practice and to read other authors. Nowadays one can buy a novel or access a blog in several seconds.

-        Let’s face it; the main reason to write a book is that you are already considering it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this, so go for it. All that matters is a clear goal, motivation, and dedication. No one is born an excellent writer, it is a skill that anyone can learn and master. That’s why it is time to start writing a book.

-        It is a great way to deliver a message and make an impact. One can share an experience or contribute to culture and society, which is a powerful tool.

How to Start Writing a Book for the First Time

Now, when the reasons are clear, you might be wondering “how can I start writing a book?” Well, the best way to start writing a book is just to begin. Sit down and write the first sentence, then the first paragraph, and the first chapter.

Here are some steps that will help one to get the process going.

1.     Find the genre. It doesn’t have to be extremely specific, but you need a clear idea of what the future creation would like. It can be non-fiction, science fiction, self-help or any other type. Look at what you personally interested in; what kind of things do you enjoy.

2.     Figure out what it is going to be about. What is the message or a story you would like to share? Based on that, you’ll build a plot, characters, and the main conflict. One of the essential tips to start writing a book is not to expect perfection from the beginning. Perfectionism is rather harmful to a creative process.

3.     Develop characters. For those who think “what do I need to start writing a book” the answer is – relatable and well-developed characters. They are the moving force of the storyline. They need to have a background and motivation. After all, we all tend to remember characters more than perks of the plot. Lots of people remember Don Quixote and Sherlock Holmes, but won’t name details of their adventures.

4.     Create an ending. If you want to start writing a book, begin with an ending. It is the hardest part and an author has to know where the story goes. It will be much easier to finish it when you know where to stop.

5.     Now it is time to type! Devote time every day or every week and set clear goals, like the number of words to finish with each session.

6.     Do not be too critical. It is important to manage one’s expectations. The first draft probably won’t get a Nobel Prize for Literature. Yet, it is a huge step. And it will take a lot of editing and rewriting until you’ll get a great result.

In Summary

There is no need to wonder where to start writing a book, use these tips to begin the process. After all, it is a fascinating time to be an author. We have unlimited access to all kinds of sources and inspiration. We also have many opportunities when it comes to bringing works to the audience, whether it is online or self-publishing.

Author’s bio: Vasy Kafidoff is an experienced writer and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in technology, education, digital marketing, and cryptocurrencies. He shares his latest articles on various topics on his Twitter.

Great Big Book Giveaway - Enter to Win!

It’s fair to say that I have stacks of books in my bedroom. And my hallway. Also the living room. Possibly the kitchen. It’s time to move some of these awesome titles along to you. Enter to win below!

A Song For A New Day by Sarah Pinsker

In this captivating science fiction novel from an award-winning author, public gatherings are illegal making concerts impossible, except for those willing to break the law for the love of music, and for one chance at human connection.

In the Before, when the government didn't prohibit large public gatherings, Luce Cannon was on top of the world. One of her songs had just taken off and she was on her way to becoming a star. Now, in the After, terror attacks and deadly viruses have led the government to ban concerts, and Luce's connection to the world--her music, her purpose--is closed off forever. She does what she has to do: she performs in illegal concerts to a small but passionate community, always evading the law.

Rosemary Laws barely remembers the Before times. She spends her days in Hoodspace, helping customers order all of their goods online for drone delivery--no physical contact with humans needed. By lucky chance, she finds a new job and a new calling: discover amazing musicians and bring their concerts to everyone via virtual reality. The only catch is that she'll have to do something she's never done before and go out in public. Find the illegal concerts and bring musicians into the limelight they deserve. But when she sees how the world could actually be, that won’t be enough.

We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan

An exhilarating novel about a group of students who take revenge on a wunderkind professor after she destroys one of their own-- a story of collective drive to create, sabotage, and ultimately, to love.

It doesn't take long for the students on Fielding campus to become obsessed with Hannah, Leslie and Jimmy. The three graduate students are mysterious, inaccessible, and brilliant. Leslie, glamorous and brash, has declared that she wants to write erotica and make millions. Hannah is quietly confident, loyal, elegantly beautiful, and the person they all want to be; and Jimmy is a haunted genius with no past. After Simone - young, bestselling author and erstwhile model - shows up as a visiting professor, and after everything that happened with her, the trio only become more notorious.

Love. Death. Revenge. These age-old tropes come to life as the semesters unfold. The threesome came to study writing, to be writers, and this is the story they've woven together: of friendship and passion, of competition and envy, of creativity as life and death. Now, they submit this story, We Wish You Luck, for your reading pleasure.

When You See Me by Lisa Gardner

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner unites three of her most beloved characters—Detective D. D. Warren, Flora Dane, and Kimberly Quincy—in a twisty new thriller, as they investigate a mysterious murder from the past...which points to a dangerous and chilling present-day crime.

FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren have built a task force to follow the digital bread crumbs left behind by deceased serial kidnapper Jacob Ness. When a disturbing piece of evidence is discovered in the hills of Georgia, they bring Flora Dane and true-crime savant Keith Edgar to a small town where something seems to be deeply wrong. What at first looks like a Gothic eeriness soon hardens into something much more sinister...and they discover that for all the evil Jacob committed while alive, his worst secret is still to be revealed. Quincy and DD must summon their considerable skills and experience to crack the most disturbing case of their careers—and Flora must face her own past directly in the hope of saving others.

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice, Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.

Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young black woman out late with a white child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right.

But Emira herself is aimless, broke, and wary of Alix's desire to help. At twenty-five, she is about to lose her health insurance and has no idea what to do with her life. When the video of Emira unearths someone from Alix's past, both women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know about themselves, and each other.

With empathy and piercing social commentary, Such a Fun Age explores the stickiness of transactional relationships, what it means to make someone "family," and the complicated reality of being a grown up. It is a searing debut for our times.

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Janae Marks: A Debut Novelist & Her First Cover

I love talking to authors. Our experiences are so similar, yet so very different, that every one of us has a new story to share. Everyone says that the moment you get your cover it really hits you – you’re an author. The cover is your story – and you – packaged for the world. So the process of the cover reveal can be slightly panic inducing. Does it fit your story? Is it what you hoped? Will it sell? With this in mind I put together the CRAP (Cover Reveal Anxiety Phase) Interview.

Today’s guest for the CRAP is Janae Marks, who has an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children from The New School. She grew up in the suburbs of New York City, and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter. From the Desk of Zoe Washington is her debut novel.

Did you have any pre-conceived notions about what you wanted your cover to look like?

I knew I wanted an illustrated cover, and since that’s common for middle grade books, I was pretty confident that was the direction my publisher would take. What I really wanted was for my protagonist, Zoe—a Black girl—to be featured on the cover. Since children of color are underrepresented in children’s literature, I wanted it to be clear from the cover that this a story about an African American girl. My only other wish was that the cover wouldn’t be too feminine. I have no problem with those kinds of covers, but I wanted mine to appeal to a wider audience.

How far in advance from your pub date did you start talking covers with your house?

My editor’s assistant reached out to me in October 2018, eight months after I got my book deal, and about fourteen months before the book’s publication date.

Did you have any input on your cover?

Yes! First, my editor asked if I had any cover ideas. She said she couldn’t promise that the design team would be able to incorporate my suggestions, but they were open to hearing my thoughts. I sent descriptions of two scenes that might look nice as illustrations on the cover. A month later, my editor emailed me sample images from an artist they were considering. I loved the samples, but unfortunately that artist wasn’t available. A few weeks later, my editor sent samples from another artist who was available, Mirelle Ortega. I loved her work as well, so I was happy with this pick.

How was your cover revealed to you?

In December 2018, my editor emailed me two cover sketches that Mirelle had created, and asked me which one I liked better. Off the bat, I was happy they’d incorporated some of my cover ideas. I took a few days to think it over, and decided I liked the right image best.

In March 2019, nine months before my pub date, I received the final cover art! I didn’t have any input into the colors they chose, but I’m really happy with the color scheme. This cover is exactly what I dreamed of, and I love everything about it!

Was there an official "cover reveal" date for your art?

When my editor shared my final cover, she let me know that it could be revealed in June 2019, within two weeks of the Winter 2020 catalog going live. We revealed it on Mr. Schu’s blog, Watch. Connect. Read.

How far in advance of the reveal date were you aware of what your cover would look like?

I saw the final cover in March 2019, but couldn’t share it online until June!

Was it hard to keep it to yourself before the official release? 

Yes! I saved the image on my phone and would show it to family and friends when I saw them in person. But I couldn’t wait to be able to share it online for everyone to see.

What surprised you most about the process?

I was surprised by how much input I got, since I’d heard that authors don’t often get a say. The process was so easy, which I’m grateful for since I know it can be stressful for some authors.

Any advice to other debut authors about how to handle cover art anxiety?

I think my experience was so positive because of the input I was given. If possible, let your publisher know what ideas you have for your cover! If there’s something you don’t like, work with your agent to let them know. Hopefully, in the end, you’ll end up with a cover both you and your publisher love.