Having a general plan before you start writing your book can help you stay on track and avoid getting lost in the creative process. By being prepared before you start writing, you can set yourself up for success and ensure that your book is well-organized and engaging from beginning to end. There are several very important things you can do to prepare for writing that next best-seller. In this article we’ll discuss 10 ways to make sure you are prepared.
Make sure you have a clear idea of the story you want to tell. Having a plan will help you stay on track and keep your story coherent. If you’re not sure what you want to write about, try brainstorming ideas or doing some free writing to get the creative juices flowing.
Research your topic to make sure your facts are correct. If you’re writing about a real event or person, it’s important to get your facts straight. Do some research on the internet or visit your local library to find out more about your topic. Even if it’s fiction and you’re world building, you need to know the basics of what you’re creating.
Create a timeline for yourself. Knowing when you want to finish and publish your book is wise. If you want to self-publish, you’ll need to be aware of the deadlines and know when your book needs to be finished and edited. If you’re going the traditional publishing route, you’ll need to be aware of when submission deadlines are. Having a timeline will help you.
This is important if you want to actually finish your book. Whether you write a certain number of words per day or set aside a certain amount of time each day or week to write, make sure you stick to your schedule.
Know what you’re writing before you start. True that some people can sit down and just type a story from start to finish, but those people have been writing for years and possibly have 20 books under their belt. For the rest of us, it’s important to have some idea of what we want to write before we start.
Developing believable and interesting characters is an absolute must! Your readers need to be able to connect with your characters in order for them to care about what happens to them. Spend some time developing your characters before you start writing your book.
Know where and when your story takes place. In order for your story to make sense, you need to know where and when it takes place. This will help you stay on track and keep your story flowing.
To get your book in front of potential readers later, you MUST plan out the marketing now. You can publish the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s not going to sell. Make sure you have a plan for marketing your book before you even start writing it.
Hook readers from the beginning. You only have a few sentences to make a good first impression. Make sure your opening is strong enough to hook readers and make them want to read more.
You’ll need to decide how you want to publish it. Are you going the traditional publishing route or self-publishing? If you’re self-publishing, are you going to do an e-book, paperback, or both? Each has its own pros and cons. Choose the one that’s right for you and your audience. This can be done before you even start your book, or during if it makes sense for you.
Then, once you get all of the above done you will be well on your way to writing a great book!
Be sure to check out our other blog posts for more helpful tips on book marketing, editing, and publishing.
Helpful links that you’ll definitely want to read
Book Marketing Tips (must be logged in to see this resource)
How To Identify Your Target Audience
Creative Ways To Market Your Book
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