How to write a book - the short honest truth
August 15th, 2007
Every author I know gets asked the same question: How do you write a book?
It’s a simple question, but it causes unexpected problems. On the one hand, it’s nice to have people interested in something I do. If I told people I fixed toasters for a living, I doubt I’d get many inquires. People are curious about writing and that’s cool and flattering. Rock on.
But on the other hand, the hand involving people who ask because they have an inkling to do it themselves, is that writing books is a topic so old and so well trod by so many famous people that anyone who asks me, with the serious intent of discovering secret advice from my small brain and limited writing experience, is hard to take seriously.
Here’s the short honest truth: 20% of the people who ask me are hoping to hear this - Anyone can write a book. They want permission. Truth is you don’t need any. There is no license required. No test to take. Writing, as opposed to publishing, requires almost no financial or physical resources. A pen, a paper and effort are all that has been required for hundreds of years. If Voltaire and Marquis de Sade could write in prison, then you can do it in suburbia, at lunch at work, or after your kids go to sleep.
If you want to write, kill the magic: a book is just a bunch of writing. Anyone can write a book. It might suck or be incomprehensible, but so what: it’s still a book. Nothing is stopping you right now from collecting all of your elementary school book reports, or drunken napkin scribbles, binding them together at kinkos for $20, slapping a title on the cover, and qualifying as an author. Want to write a good book? Ok, but get in line since most pro authors are still trying to figure that out too.
Writing a good book, compared to a bad one, involves one thing. Work. No one wants to hear this, but if you take two books off any shelf, I’ll bet my pants the author of the better book worked harder than the author of the other one. Call it effort, study, practice, whatever. Sure there are tricks here and there, but really writing is a kind of work.
Getting published. 30% of the time the real thing people are asking is how do you find a publisher. As if there wasn’t a phone book or, say, an Internet-thingy where you can look this stuff up. Writers-market is literally begging to help writers find publishers. Many publishers, being positive on the whole idea of communication, put information on how to submit material on their website. And so do agents. The grand comedy of this is how few writers follow the instructions. That’s what pisses off all the editors: few writers do their homework.
The sticking point for most wanna-be published authors is, again, the work. They want to hear some secret that skips over the hard parts. Publishers are rightfully picky and they get pitched a zillion books a day. It takes effort to learn the ropes, send out smart queries, and do the research required to both craft the idea for a book, and then to propose it effectively. So while writing is a rejection prone occupation, even for the rock-stars, finding a publisher is not a mystery. In fact the whole game is self-selective: people who aren’t willing to do the leg-work of getting published are unlikely to be capable of the leg-work required to finish a decent manuscript.
But that said - it’s easier today to self-publish than ever. Really. But again, this requires work, so many prefer to keep asking writers how they got published instead of just doing it themselves.
Being famous and wealthy: Now this is the kicker. About 30% of the time the real thing people want to know is how to become a famous millionaire rock-star author dude. As if a) I qualified, b) I could explain how it happened, or c) I’d be willing to tell.
First, this assumes writing is a good way to get rich. Not sure how this one started but writing, like most creative pursuits, has always been a less than lucrative lifestyle. Even if a book sells well, the $$$$ to hour ratio will be well below your average corporate job, without the health benefits, sick days, nor the months where you can coast by without your boss noticing. These days people write books after they’re famous, not before. And if the only books you read are bestsellers, well, you have a myopic view of the publishing world. Over 100k books are published in the US annually, and few sell more than a few thousand copies, and what causes books to sell may have little to do with how good a book is. Either way, to justify the effort you’ll need reasons other than cash.
Discouraged yet? Good. Here is the upside: I love writing books. I love reading books. I love the entire notion that people can make things up in their mind and then make them real on a page, for the pleasure or utility of someone else. That’s just awesome. If you like writing, if you enjoy the bittersweetness of chasing words into sentences, then you might love writing books too, despite, or even because of, everything I said above. If so, get to work - now :)
If you were hoping for more practical advice:
- Writing hacks: part 1 - starting - What to do when the page is blank.
- Thinking like your editor: getting non-fiction published, Susan Rabiner.
- The forest for the trees: an editors advice to writers, Betsy Lerner.
- Writer’s market. Where and how to sell what you write.
- National novel writing month - You must check this out.
- Or leave a comment below. I am, despite the curmudgeonly vibe, happy to answer thoughtful questions.
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I also feel that when writing, people really expose themselves (when it is fiction). They have to open up to their audience and through their writing, reveal themselves to others. This may be really hard for some people to do. In non-fiction, you have to make a stand and that means offending some people sometimes.
So it takes effort, interest and courage too.
Very comprehensive and useful article indeed! I think one good indicator of do-I-have-all-the-germs-to-be-best-seller-author is to start a blog and check how many hits are you getting. It will also give good idea to prospective author what people are interested to know about, what gets ‘hit!’, what gets on top of digg.
“If Voltaire and Marquis de Sade could write in prison, than you can do it in suburbia” - If you can write this without knowing the first thing about English grammar, I guess anyone CAN write. I stopped reading right there, by the way. If you can’t tell the difference between “than” and “then,” you have no business giving other people advice.
My advice to YOU? Take this page off of the internet, look up your third-grade English teacher on classmates.com, and beg him/her to allow you to sit in on his class again for a year. Then (that’s “then,” not “THAN”) you might be qualified to pick up a keyboard.
I am an avid reader and have even managed to get a book published (a techie how-to book). However, like most aspiring writers, want I really want to do is write fiction — short stories or novels. My problem is that even though I have a two-book a week reading habit and can string together narratives fairly easily, I suck at writing dialog. I’ve tried various writing courses and online references, and of course there’s no better way to learn than just by doing, but I still seem to have a block on how to naturally weave dialog into a story.
I’m not looking for a panacea, but any pointers to resources or advice would be much appreciated. I know that fiction may not be your focus, but I’m always looking for advice wherever I can find it.
Thanks for the great article, by the way!
I think one problem is the lack of enthusiasm that comes in when the project is 30% complete. Starting is easy. Enthusiasm gets you going. But once you have written 30% the long grind starts.
The end seems a long long way away. At 70% you can see the end - the enthusiasm comes back. Getting you through the middle bit is the difficult bit. That’s when it’s tempting to give up.
I have a few ways to get through this:
- you need a rigorous schedule - mine was “4 pages a day” - (you can have a day off but the next day you need to write 8 :-)
- tell all your friends “I’m writing a book” don’t do it in secret - that way you can’t back out easily - challenge yourself
- get reader feedback at an early stage (if possible) even if it’s only one reader it feels that you’re not totally wasting your time.
Don’t worry about about spelling and typos just churn out the pages. Lot’s of people can spell well and I’m not one of them.
Worry about content - say something Have fun - try enjoy the process - this is especially difficult in the middle period.
/Joe
[…] Answers to all of these questions can be found here. […]
Why not write your book…in Sweden! Javisst! Come and visit the bestest, neatest Swedish place of all…Katrineholm, Sweden and bring a friend too. To learn more-after you get started on your book with the help of the article above-then go here to http://www.stockholmcountryside.com and pay a visit. Sweden, it’s the place you really want to be.
Dear unpublished: thanks for finding the typo! Maybe next time you’ll be proud enough of what you’ve written to put your name on it? :)
Hi David:
On fiction - I’ve written an (unpublished) novel and I’m working on a 2nd, so I do have interests there. It’s harder to write and harder to publish, no doubt, but i can point to stuff that’s been useful. I’m even less of an expert on fiction, but it is something I’m interested in and have studied.
The Art of Fiction, by John Gardner. Best single book on the craft of fiction I’ve found. While there are other books that give more advice or techniques, this is the book that simultaneously sharpens my writing sense and gets me psyched up because of how well Gardner writes. He does touch on dialog, but it’s not the focus of the book (I’ve never seen a book specifically on dialog that was memorable, but I’ll check my shelves).
Anyway, I’ve had many books on writing recommended to me on writing fiction, even by other writers, but I’ve found it’s very personal - good advice, written poorly, is hard to take if the advice is on writing itself. Reading fiction can often be the best way to go - pick writers who you think are good at dialog and read them to death (David Mamet comes to mind, as does George Saunders). Playwright’s are also good bets as dialog is everything to their narratives.
@Unpublished_but_better_than_you
Lighten up. Being a good writer has nothing to do with impressing your English teacher. It is all about writing something someone is actually interested in reading.
If this article was about “How to become an editor,” than your comment would be valid. :P
Thanks for posting this. I appreciate the distinction you made between writing a book, and writing a book someone would want to read. (You were more polite about it.)
Also, I plan to be back, when I’ve time to follow the links.
[…] to write a book - the short honest truth 1pssts Chad shared this 0 seconds ago http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2007/how-to-write-a-book-… cached copy] Ever thought about writing a book? Where here’s a quick how to to make you […]
Authors Still Want Publishers…
O’Reilly author Scott Berkun has a great piece on his blog in response to a common question authors get asked: “How do you write a book?” One part that jumped out at me was his comments on finding a publisher:……
Dear Unpublished:
In your criticism of the author, you wrote: “If you can’t tell the difference between “than” and “then,” you have no business giving other people advice.”
Don’t you realize that when you write a sentence using “if,” you should have a “then” somewhere in it? You should have written: “If you can’t tell the difference between “than” and “then,” THEN….
You are a sad individual, obviously.
To the Author: Nice article. I enjoyed it.
To Unpublished_but_better_than_you: It was a TYPO, not a grammatical travesty. Get over yourself.
I’ve never ever ever never neber eber made that mistake, but kudos to the author for graciously acknowledging his mistake and avoiding the flame.
On the plus side, it did get one anonymous reader to write. Maybe the secret to writer’s block is to read articles like this and search for grammar problems.
I even managed to get a few sentences written! Thanks, Scott Scott!
And here is possibly how a modern dialog goes.
Scary, isn’t it? Great article Scott.
Methinks if you can write a blog, you can certainly write a book! I’ve written over a thousand posts… (whacks self in head) WOW! I coulda written a book!
How To Write a Book, by Scott Berkun…
Scott Berkun is the author of The Art of Project Management and The Myths of Innovation. I haven’t read the project management book but I did read his innovation book and my review can be found here. Scott also has…
There is a strong parallel between writing a book and giving a talk. In both cases there are many more in the audience or reading the book and a strong desire to be published / give the talk. Barcamp is a good place to dip your toe in speaking and the advice to start a blog is good in terms of writing.
The earlier comments on this post looked at the advantages of writing. I’d agree, just like giving talks, writing forces you to make your mind up. So as well as starting a blog, I’d suggest you try giving talks on your chosen subject.
Lastly as someone (reference?) once said the person who gains the most from giving a talk is the speaker. I think Andrew Savikas and Chris Anderson would agree that this applies equally to writing a book. The reader / audience can gain a lot, sometimes an immense amount, but you only ever get the highlights in the book / talk and this has been tuned for a particular audience, which is vital for talks and books.
I just finished writing my first book “Exploring Multimedia for Designers” and I can attest to the truth of this article. It was a ton of work, especially since it’s something I did in addition to a regular job.
[…] scottberkun: How to write a book - the short honest truth - “Writing, as opposed to publishing, requires almost no financial or physical resources. A pen, a paper and effort are all that has been required for hundreds of years.” […]
I think there is in fact a cost to writing, the opportunity cost. And while there may not be much to say about the art of writing (everyone writes differently), there may be plenty to say about the art of staying alive while practising it.
Great article, even with the grammatical malfeasance that so upset Unpublished. And might I just add, it’s no wonder he’s unpublished - probably spends far too much time worrying about dangling his participles.
Other helpful advice is to not try writing when you have young children or old houses. Both take up way too much time and energy and that writing thing just gets pushed right to the side.
Very inspiring article. Thank you.
the biggest tip would be to be controversial, that will more easily get you a book deal then any other method.
Thanks for a great article. I’ve been toying with the idea of self-publishing for a long while and I think that is a nice route for some maybe not for everyone. If someone out there has something that they want to do for friends and family and aren’t concerned with a larger audience then I say go for it. It is affordable and you will have a cool experience in the process. I plan to do so in the very near future.
Anyway, all I really wanted to say was that this was a great article.
I’ve got lots of thoughts inline with my book plots which I want to get down and I’ve found that mind-mapping software (e.g. freemind) has helped me though you could get trapped.
Thanks for great advice, fantastic resource and helpful comments on the topic. It’s given me inspiration to try to finish one of the three one-third completed books I have.
As for “Unpublished” , as the French might say ” crapeau dans le chapeau”
[…] 18th, 2007 Chiunque può scrivere un libro… Pochissimi, un buon libro… Pochi riescono a pubblicarlo, e di solito non ci guadagnano […]
Let me summarize the article: writing takes work. That’s quite a how-to.
First of all, writers write. If you don’t write all the time now, you are a long way away from writing a book.
Real writers just want their work to be read. They are not necessarily looking to be famous.
As a new author, expect many rejections from publishers. Also, if you are looking for a literary agent, be wary of scammers. Do your homework on them before you select them. Be prepared to spend thousands of dollars on a literary agent, good editor, etc.
Like acting and other creative endeavors, you also need to market your self and product. You will need to work to find book signing deals and you will likely need to market these yourself.
There are few shortcuts and they are rarely available to new authors.
Ah, one more thing. If you are a writer that writes regularly but not professionally, you will probably find that getting your book published takes more work than writing the book.
Excellent post. Well said on all fronts.
The Anonymous Novelist dealt with just this a week ago. He’s also really funny. novelistanon.blogspot.com
Writing is indeed hard work. I think it’s the no heavy lifting part that makes people think it’s easy. ;-)
–Mike (who wrote his first books with a manual typewriter)
Unpublished-but-better-than-you!
Did anyone ever tell you that you are a pompous ass? If not, THEN let me be the first.
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One word: nanowrimo
Google it if you don’t know what it is. It’s just around the corner.
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Very nice post. Probably the first thing I’ve read in a long time that actually makes me want to write.
@Michael A. Banks
I dimly remember typewriters. Sigh. Takes me way back, and as Wrai Ballard used to say, I wish it would leave me there.
As someone who has written more than 30 books, it definitely doesn’t get easier as you go on and you don’t necessarily get paid more either. But I can’t see quitting.
Do it for love.
The good news is that in spite of the Internet and electronic publishing, the book seems here to stay.
As was said originally, writing doesn’t require a lot of investment up front and we all waste a lot of time every day.
Good article and good posts!
I agree, it’s very easy to write and publish an book, but it takes work to make a great one.
[…] August 18th, 2007 I’m not saying anything about it apart from this, that it is interesting. […]
I write novels and got sick of sending out manuscripts to publishing businesses that were so busy struggling to survive, going out of business, or busy being bought up by international conglomerates to seriously consider new work.
So I stopped — not writing books, just trying to appeal to these businesses. Now I’m micropress publishing: actually making the books myself.
It’s been a wonderful shift in how I think about myself as a culture-worker, and also means that I’m focusing on readers, not businesspeople. Sure, I only have a small group of readers, but I have readers. There’s reality to my being an author, which there wouldn’t be if I was still waiting for someone to take six months to write back, saying his press isn’t taking on any new authors (unless, of course, they’ve been on “Big Brother”, in which case their crayon-scribbled biography would get a huge advance).
Micropress publishing is labour intensive, but gets more efficient as you go, and teaches you a lot about the publishing process, so if you do end up dealing with commercial publishers later on, you’ll have a respect and understanding for what it takes to make a book.
A while back, I outlined I’d learned about the process for the No Media Kings website:
http://nomediakings.org/doityourself/doityourself_book_press.html
To those looking for advice about writing novels, I would recommend learning about story structure. This will help you plan and write a coherent, satisfying story, rather than starting at page one and getting lost or leaving your readers bewildered. A few helpful books for this are:
The Weekend Novelist, by Brett Norris, Robert J. Ray
http://www.acblack.com/Catalogue/details.asp?sku=1421797&dept_id=8
The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus
http://www.silmanjamespress.com/book_description/comic_toolbox.html
(Even though it’s about comedy writing, the principles are still perfect for creating a tight novel-arc. Vorhaus has another book called Creativity Rules, which is also very good.)
The biggest piece of advice I’d give to anyone wanting to write a novel is to NOT think about marketing, book proposals, or any of that other bumpf that businesspeople encourage you to. That way “Writer’s Block” lies (which is not real; merely a product of worrying about what others will think when you should be just making things up).
You have to create a work from your own original mind yourself. Most online self-pubishing resources I’ve found are geared toward writing non-fiction “how-to” guru books, not novels.
While you will have to think about these principles later, when you’re learning to sell your work, don’t let it twist your creative process. If you try to reverse-engineer something successful — which is what agents and publishers at book festival breakout sessions will advise you to do — you’ll be as badly off as those Hollywood types who think that remaking “Enter the Dragon” is a good idea.
Good luck!
- Hamish MacDonald
http://www.hamishmacdonald.com
I like how worked up “unpublished-but-better-than-you” got over a simple typo. Pretty sure the author knows the difference between then and than. Relax.
hi i enjoyed the read
Great article, written by the author of a great book, writing for a great publisher
I very much enjoyed it. You might want to take a look at a similar article targeted at technical articles, written by another terrific author, Scott Meyers: http://www.aristeia.com/authorAdvice_frames.html which is also quite good.
Thanks again, it was a fun read. (If knowledge of English grammar and spelling were required, I’d be in big trouble. As Kurt Vonnegut said, “English is my second language, unfortunately, I don’t have a first language.”)
-jesse
I’m just finishing up on a book now, on deadline, which is the only way I know how to work, I’m ashamed to say. The single most important thing: write something, every single day. It’s best to have a daily quota. (500 words, not a lot, will give you a book in a year - that’s how Graham Greene did it.)
This requires a truly monumental amount of self-discipline. A lot of people think that being a writer = a nice lifestyle. In some ways, it does, but realize that being your own boss means just that: someone is still forcing you to knuckle down and produce every day, it’s just that this person is you.
Also, a lot of people have a romantic misperception of the average writer’s life. if you think being a novelist means padding around in sweats in a picturesque mountain cabin all day, guess again. I know several full-time novelists, some of them quite successful, and they travel more than most salesmen. If they’re lucky and make decent money off their own books, that usually means book tours, which are grueling, weeks-long slogs during which you fly to a new, uninteresting city every single day (not that they get to see anything besides the airports and hotel rooms) and answer the same questions over and over again. Those are the lucky ones. Most of the rest have to teach, which means more travel to unexciting places and reading a lot of really bad manuscripts and then trying to find something constructive to say to the people who wrote them. Most of the novelists I know are frustrated that no matter how well they do, they still don’t get much time to write. The ironic thing about writing is that it’s a profession that tends to attract homebodies, but if you want to do well, you can’t really be a homebody.
I do it because I really like to write, but I have to admit, I’m dreading the promotional side of it, especially the travel, when this book is done.
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An interesting and inspiring article. I appreciate the trouble you took to spell this out for people, and with humor too.
Since I really am an English professor, I am required by law :-) to say that the past tense of ‘tread’ is ‘trod.’ I just mention this because it’s the kind of thing that spellcheck doesn’t pick up, and because when I used to work as a fiction editor, I know that if we had two equally publishable books to choose from, we’d pick the one that required the least copyediting and proofreading.
But I don’t mean this to detract from the usefulness of this punchy, entertaining, helpful article.
I read a comment by Randy Alcorn the other day stating that what most people want is to have written a book. Some people have the life todo lists and writing a book is often on it. If that is a person’s goal, then there is nothing to do but muscle one’s way through it, but for anyone else I would say that if you don’t enjoy writing then find something else to do. Writing is hard work. If you are proficient enough and you are writing about a subject that publisher thinks will sell then publishing is not an issue, but if your writing bad or the subject won’t sell then you end up with a manuscript that will have a limited number of readers. Given a choice between a well know author and a first time author, the publisher will always favor the well known author. Even among the books that get published, most of them have very limited success. Writing books is not the path to fame and fortune.
I have a little secret of my own for writing dialogs. Talk to yourself in the mirror and talk alone out loud in traffic jams or in the shower. It works for realistic dialogs. You can record them or not. By doing that your mind gets used to have internal dialogs and it helps a lot when you write. Just be careful to do it alone.
¿Having a fight with yourself? Is not very common to regular people they might think you are crazy!
By the way sorry about my English but I’m sure that if all this were written in Spanish you guys would be much more in trouble than me right now.
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Great post and I would say the key to writing a book is to literally write it one page at a time. One things I tell folks who are “blocked” is to put away all the books in their office until they are done writing their own. (thesaurus and dictionary - don’t get packed.)
[…] How to write a book - the short honest truth […]
I guess I join the thousands of people who say “I want to write a book! Okay, so how do I begin?” I know what I want to write about, I just don’t know if other people would be interested enough to buy and read it. I guess that’s not what I should think. I should just sit down and start writing what is in my heart and see how it looks on paper.
There are a lot of good ideas here and hopefully I can put them to use. Thanks
Thanks Scott and all others who had positive feedback. I’ve been thinking of writing a book for at least 10 years and have started several times. This time I am committed to see it through.
Thank you for your honesty and integrity, things I don’t find in this life. I remain a “fan”,of you and I think you are a life force in writing for those who would like to tell their story. Thank you for the inspiration to tell mine.
[…] Want to write a book? Just do it! According to Scott Berkun everybody can, you just have to work for it: How to write a book - the short honest truth. […]
I need help. I’m a middle aged woman that’s suffered 2 heart attacks and a severe stroke that took my whole right side and has had to battle my way back vertually on my own. Case in point-this happened within less than 36 hrs. last Dec. and I’m still waiting to receive therapy. I need to exercise a few demons and felt a book just might do it. Right now, I have just purchased my new flash drive and need simple help, like do I have to write and then print in double space? When you answer, please “Idiot-Proof” your answer. All I’m asking for is simply the most basic How To instructions, to get started. I’ve gotta take it one step at a time or I’ll be too overwhelmed to finish. It was a “Trip Into Terror”,and coupled with actual abuse at the hands of medical personnel. It’s a story that most people would be afraid to tell but needs to be said. How many more has this happened to? We need to keep it from happening again! I’ve lost alot due to all that happened, but I’ve still got a mouth. It even works correctly, sometimes. Anyway, can you help a decrepit old lady out? Can’t wait to hear from you. I’m going to try no matter what.Thanks for your time.-Joyce E.
Just a line to say that I’m an aspiring musician,and I feel like starting my first book.
This Post was the first that I’ve looked into for some gettin’ started advice and you all have helped greatly. Oh-yes, Unpublished a little word for you to remember about the creative process.”It’s not how the damn thing looks,it’s if it has something to say that actually matters!” Thanks for the help guys “D-Mo”
[…] read more | digg story […]
(Then, suddenly, there’s a quiet female voice, slightly off-key, singing softly in the background…)
“Dear Sir, (Or Madam?)
Will you read MY book?
It took me years to write,
will you take a look?
Based on a novel by a man named Lear
(And I need a job!)
So, I want to be a…
Paperback Writer!!!
Paperback Writer.
…….. ”
(And, the off-key voice fades into a quite, “Click…Click-Click-Click” as the woman Catt continues her determined journey across her old and worn keyboard — The keyboard with a whole worn completely through from her ragged nails into the ‘E’ key….)
[Thanks for the info., folks!!! Catt]
Everytime I think about writting a book feelings begin to overcome me…sounds stupid right? I am beginning to believe this is something that I need to do. I am a true beginner, what is a good book to start with (how to get started)?
I’m 17 years old and have tried writing fantasy and other types of novels before, but dared bring none to publishers (because I’m still at that age when I am getting better every year). I have a story I would really like published one day, and I haven’t finished it the way I’d like to yet.
Could you please give me advice on this: since I live in a European country, is it smart to write a novel in a language other than English? I’ve read somewhere that such a novel would be worthless, but I can’t write it as well as I could in my country’s language.
By the way, your a, b and c on the “being famous and wealthy” topic were great :D
hey im 15 and im writing a book and i was wondering what you do when u get writers block because im getting it alot now im on my 1050th page of my book, its good so far i think and i was just wondering if you had any tips on how to get rid of writers block or on how to get inspiration?
great article by the way lots of help :D
I finally found the courage to sit down and write after many years of writing thoughts in a note book. I love the way the charaters start to come a live. I also love the way i wake in the middle of the night with ideas. Thanks fot letting me know to just to keep trying
I am a surgical RN,,and I know nothing about writing a book,,but I want to write one related to things that are important and maybe useful to others (nothing to do with the medical field),,my concerns is how to start the book,,do i do a outline first or do I just jump in a start writing and organize later,,what program should I use on my pc??? AND Unpublished_but_better_than_you,,,STOP being so anal retentive,, ;)
Well I am ot sure if I can write a book but I can write. i have been keeping a journal since I was in highschool and I am now in my upper 30’s. I would love to write a book about , well just my life. It is nothing great but life as a Catskill Mountain Middle class Drama queen, not. I found myself starting to read your article and before I could even get to the how to write a book part I found myself closing out of this website and starting to write. I startd writing as if I was writing the introduction of a book. Interesting since I do not know the first thing about writing a book, I just have alot of issues in life that I would like to talk about, from childhood up to my adult life. Who knows where I am going with this “writing a book” but hey you never know!
Until then…
My reply to the moron who can’t get over the THEN/THAN mistake. Qualified to give advice? I think that “reader” is qualified for one thing and its(and no asshole I don’t mean it’s, I mean YOU) your book should be entitled “Blind Rage and the Downward Spiral”.
As to the article, I agree… the bottom line is there is no advice more than just DO IT. The “klondike bar” above didn’t quite grasp. Thanks for the post Scott
Hey Scott,
I am 17 and have been capsized by fiction writing since I could scribble with crayons.
I came across your site and thought it was cool.
I read your thing on how to write a book, you were blunt but you came off understanding. thanks so much for adding tinder to the needed fire under my butt to get me writing again.
peace from Indiana,
joe
Thank you for your frankness. It’s refreshing. How many people have you heard say the following: “I want to write because I love to write and I have, what I feel, is a unique experience to share and possibly help someone with.”? I know self-help types of books are usually not best sellers and although money is tucked somewhere in my mind it’s not my motivation. All I really want to know is how do I get started? Do I go back through all the journals and notes I’ve accumualted over the years and try to somehow put them all together in a collection of boring testimonials or is there a better place to start? Should I get education on how to write properly before I even start to put fingers to keyboard or should I just wing-it?
Thank you, Renee Carey
Scott, as a former radio talker and unpublished author,I’m facinated by the snobs and grammer-groin-kickers. Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts, knowing that many Community College English profs will shred your work.Half of Americans think that 90% of what they read is crap.Point is…stop trying to be the next Hemingway,unless you own property in Havana, and just tell me a story. While you lose mind over grammer,I’ve lost my way through your story. Just because you sang Happy Birthday, doesn’t make you a singer. (My God that’s deep ain’t it?)
In researching the web, I have seen mostly negative comments about writing a book. The company I work for is closing its doors and I will soon be out of a job. After taking a resume and interview class to find out what my strengths were and what I am drawn to, it became very clear that I am addicted to reading and writing! My priorities have changed from the corporate world to one of making sure I do what I really want while I am still young enough to think clearly. I am taking a job in a book store, so that I may be near what I love and I am attempting a book that is not all me, but a contribution from many. A portion of what I make, will be give to research for Alzehiemers to help find a cure. This is very close to my heart since it runs on both sides of my family. If I somehow survive that, then I will attempt something entirely on my own, as I have a few ideas. Maybe, just maybe, I will simply be happy just knowing that I have given something back, that is, if I REMEMBER it! Thanks for listening and if anyone has any advice, I certainly welcome it.
Ha ha. Nice one Scott. Take away the bullshit get creative and work. No secret is it?
I don’t know- never educate a mug.
Thanks for your very poignant observations. Tell ‘em the way it is. The Baldchemist.
ok so im 17 and i have a great idea for a book, i always loved stories and stuff but writing is so boring. i have written a few short stories in the past couple years but this one really is the grand master. i’m writing one and my best mate is writing it’s counterpart. i ave all te complicated inter-twinings of te book worked out in my head but getting the colours from my head to a publisher who will like them seem so far away. i don’t know what im asking for really, im just going to concentrate on getting the colours out of my head and into some sort of comprehencible order. can someone atleast tell me im not wasting my time and lunatics can write books too?
Truth is, I, like many folks, look to writing as a way of answering questions, acting out thoughts, and capturing dreams. Organizing all of this into a comprehensible manuscript is another story. Such a practice requires the use of both sides of the brain. Since my left side was removed at birth and replaced with kapoc, it leaves me at a distinct disadvantage. But hey, the journey is the reward.
I like this website. It tells the truth. It is all work when writing anything: marketing, sales, fiction, how-to or corporate action plans. I’m into my 12th month of a how-to book. It something I have 25+ years experience doing and 12+ years owning a company that provided for this. I wanted to write it in 1998, corporate America wanted me more.
Two years ago I changed my life enough to have time for it and I still didn’t do it. The people that surround my life encouraged me so much, I finally began in late 2006. Since then, I have a second job working the night shift after working all day. It is my book. No surprise here! I should have my first draft ready by the end of March 2008. There are no shortcuts, only cutshorts.
I had to laugh at the comments by “unpublished but better than you”. That user name alone would be enough to let one know that he/she may be coming from a place of superiority. Defenders of the English language aside… I want to tell the story of my parents emigration to America and the many misadventures they had along the way. I won’t have much trouble with the dialog or how to flesh out the story, but I would like some ideas on how to outline the story before I begin putting all my ideas together. I keep thinking that I need to build a framework for the story first before I start putting all the ideas in my head to paper. Is there a rule of thumb that anyone knows on how to create an outline for a story and how to know where one chapter ends and another begins. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel and reinvent it wrong if there is a formula for building a story already in place. Any Ideas?
I applaud your honesty in writing this useful article. I have recently begun tapping away at the keyboard to start my first fiction novel. I guess I still like the dream of being able to make a living as an author - call me an optimist (or deluded :)).
Unpublished - people make typos, get over yourself.
Keep writing.
This was very encouraging :) I have been told by a lot of people I have talent and been published in a couple of minor things. However the most important person has not told me I am talented, myself. I know you can not do that for me, but I wanted to say thanks for the swift kick in the butt I needed to get started. I just googled “how to write a book” and you came up, thank the Lord for small miracles. Tonight after putting my crew of 7 children and 1 husband to bed I am going for it! I don’t know what will end up on the page, but hey Kinko’s will bind anything right ? :)
“Unpublished_but_better_than_you - August 16th, 2007 at 4:59 am
“If Voltaire and Marquis de Sade could write in prison, than you can do it in suburbia” - If you can write this without knowing the first thing about English grammar, I guess anyone CAN write. I stopped reading right there, by the way. If you can’t tell the difference between “than” and “then,” you have no business giving other people advice.”
Sheeeesh!!!!!!!!!!! Who placed your furry nodules in a vice and turned the handle?
Anal retentive much?
Like a Culinary- prepared meal, I tried to digest “The Berkum Blog” in search for the secret recipy to,” How To Write a Book”. Hard work, dedicated daily routine preserved for cogitation and writing were the unexciting prerequisits for sucess.OK, but for dessert I think I’ll stir-in personal experiences, a touch of humor,a bit of visual melody only the mind can hear when seen in print. I like the complimentary replys you recieved. Am certain I know what Joyce Rosser will write, go for it Joyce. GOOD BLOG SITE SCOTT!
Hi, I just wonted to say that I’ve started a book about me.I beleive that it will sell. I Know it will. How you ask just beleive.My spelling sucks my typeing sucks but thats ok I have a feeling that someone will bye at least one I hope after reading your blog I will keep on the write path Thanks, Stuball
hi i just want to say reading you website was great. I looked it up because i have a very strong urge to tell a story a true but sad one.
but the only thing is, im crap at writing and i cant spell for love nor money.I know thats not much use to you but is their any way someone like me can get it down on paper the right way. are their wrighter that do that sort of thing. sorry i know this is not for asking the wrong questions
So here we go: I’m a young chick who loves and lives to be creative and is currently thinking of writing a story. Not fictional, but not exactly an autobiography. My question? Are chapters from one’s life too cliche?
It seems to me a wide variety of audiences are stricken by reality tv and the news. They always seem to include horrific events and slightly insane people. I am quite sure I can captivate a reader through pages and pages, but how much is too much? Where do you draw the lines on plot? I want to know when a book needs a break and great ways to do it.
I’m not even quite sure how I got to this site. I googled “how to write a book’ and this site popped up. I have a strong, guttural urge to write a book, but I want to make sure it would interest people….not just my friends and me.
Any suggestions/advice you would have for a young beginner would be great.
Oh yeah, the article was helpful :-)
Hey Scott…
Nice article. I’m a copywriter. It’s my second job, but I do get paid to do it. So it’s cool. I fell in love with the notion of writing copy. Lately have been flirting with the idea of writing a book.
After my first few paid assignments, I was very excited about it all. I still am. Reality settled in as time passed.
I have more assignments. Things are cool.
Several things I’d like to offer…
Scott, and others, are 100% correct. Writing is work. No matter what kind of writing you do. If you wanna write… ask your self why you wanna write. Anything less than loving stories and writing them will not see you through. There are other things, of course. You might want to read Robert McKee’s book, Story. He teaches screenwriting but it applies to fiction writing.
As with getting published, I’ve found the business side of copywriting kinda sucks, too. Fortunately I don’t have to do all the traveling to promote my stuff.
I knew a guy who wrote a trilogy of books. They sucked to high heaven. But he had the jing to self-publish and promote it. I noticed he was always traveling on the weekends to promote it.
But I admired him because he wrote them, got them made, and put up a nice website to promote them. And he was walking tall. But he seemed utterly clueless because the books were awful. Seems no one ever mentioned that to him. But who cares? He was happy. So I was happy for him.
I write all kinds of things for businesses. I tend to write every day. And something happens when you do that. Your brain gets greased. Works better. I never get writer’s block.
And! I know some will read this and flame me for all the fractured writing rules. But you wanna know what?
It’s copywriting. In copywriting you write exactly like regular people talk. Everyday language. You have to throw out all the rules you learned in school. But you do need to know what they are, first.
Wanna write a book?
Learn how to tell a great story. Learn how to create a great story. People love stories. Every fiction book, poem, song, short ’story’… is a story about something.
Learn the nuts ‘n bolts of how to tell a great story.
Learn how to write dialog. How? Learn from what’s around you. Ever seen a movie? Next time, pay attention to the dialog. Then… write some.
Write every day.
Read Robert McKee’s book about screenwriting. It’ll help you, I promise.
Forget money, fame, fortune. Write because you love to write. Because you love telling a great story.
Start writing short stories. You have to learn how to do some things. So start small and build.
Try submitting your stories to small places to get published. Local newspapers, newsletters, online places looking for stories, small mags. Anywhere.
See ya.
I agree — writing books is work! You have to find a way to enjoy the process and you need a compelling “why” to keep you going.
I posted on how I build books at patterns & practices: http://blogs.msdn.com/jmeier/archive/2007/12/24/building-books-in-patterns-amp-practices.aspx It’s a bird’s-eye view of the overall approach.
Even though im 13 (almost 14) I’ve always wanted to write a book. I’ve had tuns of grate idea’s but in the mornig they seem really bad. Oh well ill keep trying (went throw 19 ideas)
Happy New Year Everybody!!!
Well I’m glad to be first in replying this great article (2008) well maybe I’m not the first in telling everybody that all feedback is appreciated I wont leave aside your opinion and thank you all for taking the time to write, the article is also wonderful, I’ve surfed the internet since the thing itself started and I always found boring to write in blogs but know this: You’ve all encouraged me to start writing everywhere I can to spread my opinion.
Now it is my turn to pay:
I truly believe there are secrets to write a best seller and it has to do with the writer’s personality and commitment, as i said before it is a “secret” nobody ever teaches you how “to be” to success in writing (or mostly in anything else) teaching you how to write is as possible as to teach you how to move your eyebrows up and down or to tell good jokes or to be articulated all the time this is simply not very possible to occur but what it is possible is to do an insight.
The INSIGHT
It doesn’t require a sharp mind, beign in shape, tons of loot or any hi-tech software for you to perform just close your eyes for two seconds a couple of times a day and don’t press yourself too much, in your mind will surely appear memories of you having a bad time (for big or not so big deals), the time you laughed the most or made someone else laugh till she or he dirtied up her or his underwear, in that insight you are truly you and the real you is the one with the highest percentage to success in anything you demand (explained at the end of the paragraph) just don’t sit on your hands when you get the memories write them or record them on .WAV but don’t let them go to oblivion because the first impression is the one that counts; if you let the time flow your own mind no matter what the situation will add and substract stuff and it won’t be the original idea and that is what people is looking for to buy a book ORIGINALITY.
Foolproof Method for writing realistic dialogs
Make a party, bring alcohol (for lowering stress levels), and do role playing games with a given situation written in small pieces of paper (according to the situations you want to transform into dialogs to write in your book) then put them to work in trios where at least each one of them say a line, then make them work in duos the rule this time is that they have to say at least 3 lines (short conversation like) at the very end make them work solo. You can designate a secretary to write all the speeches and submit them later to vote and give a prize to the winner or secretly record the whole party, it is never good to keep secrets you must tell your friends you’re writing a book so your commitment to the book and to yourself will increase but don’t let your moral interfere too much by telling them you’re recording the party or you’ll make your friends feel like mice inside a labyrinth or as puppets, in other words they might feel upset or if they want to cooperate anyway the realness will unquestioningly decrease from the start as they feel constantly observed.
I have two unfinished works and am currently at a stand still, make that three unfinished works. I loved this article and believe it will propel me into writing, thank you
I came upon this website as i trawled for some kind of writing reassurance. I find crisis of confidance quite an obstacle with anything i attempt to write. The inner critic will probe:-
‘what’s the point’
‘this is inane’
‘your sentences are juvenile’
‘this is relentless’
‘this is repetetive’
etc etc
I find myself requiring little boosts of confidance to slog through to complete a book.
Your website gave me that little boost in confidance. I thank you for that.
Informative and fun and the blog highlighted the personal battles others were having. It was the medicine i needed.
I leave a little ‘joke’(subjective of course) that this medicine produced.
The book characters are talking to a fellow who can see into the future.
“Hey it’s a bit like that book this”
“What book?”
“You know the book where he predicts what’s going to happen in the future”
“What the Nostradamus book?”
“erm I don’t think so”
“Les Prophecies? “
“No I don’t think it’s him either”
“No Les Prophecies is Nostradamus’s book”
“No, No that other book erm……..erm…… Back to the future”
“That’s not a book it’s a film”
“It’s a bit like it though isn’t it”
Thanks again Scott
This website has proven to be quite informative. I am in the initial processes of writing some Christian literature. The book is going to be somewhat controversial. My philosophies are a bit different than that of most my Christian brothers, within my Christian circle. In writing this manuscript, I expose myself to criticism. I feel a passion when I express my ideas and philosophies. Do you guys think that there is much of market for this type of writing? It’s not a self help but more like a revelatory depiction of Gods involvement in the affairs of mans life. How that everything in ones life is working to mature and bring him to a greater sense of the creator. I talk about the trials and tribulations in life. I also talk about sin and Gods mercy, etc. It is against unconventional but I think it will pop. I am not in it for the money its more like an assignment from God! Feel free to email me at jcpraisehim@yahoo.com if you could give me ideas or comments.
[…] read more | digg story […]
Jonathan.
I do not think it is important that a book you might feel is assignment from your god might be controversial. If this is in fact an assignment from her/him then simply do it. When I read a book or hear a story told I want to believe what is before me. Conviction must come through. The old saying of writing what you know, I believe this to be true.
Great article, gave me lots of inspiration and hope. I just submitted a proposal to O’Reilly, and it was rejected within 30 minutes. Very efficient, and very nicely worded, but devastating nonetheless. What do you do if you think you have a great idea, but the world disagrees?
[…] of my most popular blog posts ever, how to write a book, generates tons of comments and e-mail every week. Here’s an interesting one I couldn’t […]
Take your time when writing your first book. Unless the information you’re writing can quickly become outdated, there’s no hurry.
If you’re just starting out, you may want to subscribe to my free monthly ezine, “A Book Inside.” Just go to http://abookinside.blogspot.com or visit one of my websites to sign up. Try http://www.plainandsimplebooks.com
The ezine will walk you through writing, publishing, and selling your book. I’m always available for advice as well. You can contact me at cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Thanks for the great article. I found that most people get caught up in the logistics of writing rather than the story itself. If you get a chance, take a look at FastPencil.com, http://www.fastpencil.com and let me know what you think. I created the web site to help authors write better and faster.
I’m 16 years old and I have been writing things like poetry, music and short stories since I was 9. However, 2 years ago I started on my very first long story. I get my ideas from reading, tv,and ancting with my friend but if those type of things don’t get your juices flowing then write about things you know, write about your own life but put a twist on it. Good luck to all who want to be a writer like I do:)
I have a Idea for a book that can also be a cartoon and toy line I need help becouse I am not a writer and to get this off the ground it has to start as a book I know I need a ghost wrtiter and illustrator and I also need to protect my Idea before sharing it but how do I find those people and bring this Idea to life?
bataan uss
radio metropole haiti
accucut dies
baltex swim wear
atholton high
pueblo bonito rose
barker stonehouse
big viginas
ashworth herman
gon play playas
Hello scott I am 13 years old and I have just begun to write a book this last hour. Have you any idea how to get a book template? Also when there is a leading at the start of a book (big letter) how do you do that? I may sound stupid but I have always loved wrting and admired successful writers.Hopefully one day someone will write this to me when I’m a successful author! thank you
I am writing again after a break recovering from a rejection notice. Now I have created the following set of commandments for myself. Maybe this will help others also:
. Thou shall write one blog post per day on your own blog
. Thou shall write one blog post per day on someone else’s blog
. Thou shall write two pages of novel story per day
. Thou shall write one page of short story per day
. Thou shall remain happy at all times whilst in pursuit of happiness
End result: network with other writers. Two short stories + one novel per year. Happiness.
Thanks for the post
You are correct in saying writing is hard work. I speak often and writing is tougher. I can speak for hours on a subject but when I sit and write it out…well that is hard. I think that there is a mis-conception that it is harder to edit. Yes it is hard but I propose that the hardest thing to do is neither writing nor editing but receiving critique. Now THAT is hard.
R Riveiro - best advice ever! Thank you!
Susie
Sine the last couple of weeks i have been dying to write a book. But im only twelve years old. Wont people think that this book isnt mine. i need help has anyone got an advice for me.
please i need help badly.
I’ve wrote half of my book this month and what really helped me was wearing that cafepress T-shirt with “I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK” written on it.
[…] How to write a book - the short honest truth […]
I’m writing a book… there is no turning back. Its a solitary road travelled across the keys as the rest of my world lies cocooned in their warm beds. I sit on my frozen toes, wracked with frustration trying to remember the joy! Thank you for an inspiring blog, I see I am not alone.
Hey Unpublished.
I think your a smuck!
Ever seen the text messages people do these days. Im sure you would have fun with the english language then. Its moving to more of a “I know what you ment to say” type phylosophy. Children will dictate the future of the enlish language. Have you ever read a newspaper from the 1800’s. Almost impossible due to the different ways they used words and structured sentances. I cant spell and dont care, this doesnt have a spell check, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN DONT YOU!!!
Let me guess, you love picking out things wrong with what other people do because its probably the only thing you can do well.
I think many folks are just afraid, or so full of indecision about life, that nothing ever gets done out of fear of failure. The criticism scares away many a potential author.
Writing is not about gaining praise or wealth. You should write for yourself. If other people like your work, then it is nothing more than a bonus.
My book is in my mind. I know it. I live it everyday. It’s the putting it on paper and saying what it needs to say.
I want to be an outsider looking in. Telling the story so true…
I’m working on it.
inspired me to write
Scott, this was completely disappointing and exactly what I needed to hear. I am a closet writer (if there was ever such a thing) and have only recently decided to explore the idea of publishing some of my work. Maybe my next step is to get off my rump and actually do something about it.
Dearest Grammar and Spelling Royalty - please do not look on this post unfavorably if you find an error. Simply let me know. If you have a malicious disposition and can only have cynical remarks to offer, simply move on. None of us need to hear it. The inability to give feedback or criticism in a civil manner speaks volumes about your personality.
unpublished’s silly rant brings to mind the following quote from Alvin Toffler:
“Anyone nit-picking enough to write a letter of correction to an editor doubtless deserves the error that provoked it.”
Wow! I am thrilled I stumbled upon this blog…I am a writer and I love to write - Working on my 1st book.
Hi!
Thanks for the hints, they sound in same why easy to follow. I am wondering, lets say for example that you have the right story but you find it hard to write (for difrent reasons). Is there a place were 2 or 3 so called wanna be writers can meet and work together. If so, is there any special things that I need to be aware of?!? Kind of new of this as you might have noticed.
Kind regards,
Alina
Hello Scott. I must say while I was reading some of the comments I don’t understand how rude some people can be. ( Mr Unpublished but better than you? ) I mean what is that about?
Anyway, my name is Sadie and I don’t care if your grammar and punctuation are wrong. The truly intelligent people will understand what you mean and overlook the error realizing we all make mistakes. Besides, if we got everything right we would have no need for editors and I’m sure that could affect ( or is it effect, I always get that one confused ) the economy, losing all those jobs for the truly grammar gifted.
I don’t really have a point that I’m getting at here. Mostly just wanted to comment on the rude comment. I’m a writer, published but not proud in the arrogant sense. Happened upon your site and I like what I read. I have always been a writer and never leave the house without a pen and notebook. When the urge to write strikes I must be prepared. It happens so suddenly. I mainly write poetry and while it is work much of it happens spontaneously so I thought I would leave you with one. It is not published but it is copyrighted so I don’t worry about leaving it. If my punctuation and grammar are wrong it’ll just make it that much more difficult for the ignorant to understand.
Time is a puzzling notion,
surviving without our devotion.
For ignoring the clock,
never gave rise to shock
or succeeded in stopping its motion.
copyright 2006
Sadie Mae
Hi Scott,
Excellent article. Your article was very useful and informative for me. Im in the beginning stages when it comes to writing, and i currently write on a couple of my blogs.
Scott, A site like this is great. It gives one hope that anyone with determination could possibly write a book. It makes you see that many everyday people have a story to tell. I do wonder why writing isn’t more lucrative?