How to write your own book, what experiences do you have?

[becks]

I have been working on my first book – slow and messy, like building something in the dark with your hands. Evenings mostly, when work’s done and the brain’s still got a bit left. I want to publish it someday. Digital, sure. But also… the real thing. Paper, weight, a cover you can open. Something to put on a shelf and say: I made this.

It started with fragments – with a scene here, a sentence there. Some notes written half-asleep on my phone. Some weeks it clicks, other times I open the doc, blink, and close it again.

I’m not aiming for a bestseller. I just want it finished – done and out in the world. That image of holding it, printed and bound, keeps me going when nothing else does.

Staying with it is hard, and life’s loud. But writing’s become a kind of escape hatch – like gaming used to be, only quieter. More mine.

Anyone else in the middle of writing something? Not dreaming it, but actually doing it? Would love to know how you kept moving when it got foggy in the middle.

 

[radderfire]

No, but consistency is key.

 

[dave28]

the goodreads community is a good place for info or help, you can ask published authors questions in a section called ask the author.

plus some authors have blogs there with advice on writing and editing books, publishing, marketing etc....

 

[shifty_uk]

No but good luck and let us know when you get it printed.

‘Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant’

 

[Mr Badger]

Wish It, Want It, Do It.

 

[Epburpee]

There are 1052 independent book shops across the UK. Good places to go and actually pick up and hold a book. Its much different than looking for a book on E reader website, which for one completely strips away that tactile side of it.

 

[hornetstinger]

Did you start with "It was a dark and stormy night"

 

[Hagar]

I have been working on my first book – slow and messy, like building something in the dark with your hands. Evenings mostly, when work’s done and the brain’s still got a bit left. I want to publish it someday. Digital, sure. But also… the real thing. Paper, weight, a cover you can open. Something to put on a shelf and say: I made this.

It started with fragments – with a scene here, a sentence there. Some notes written half-asleep on my phone. Some weeks it clicks, other times I open the doc, blink, and close it again.

I’m not aiming for a bestseller. I just want it finished – done and out in the world. That image of holding it, printed and bound, keeps me going when nothing else does.

Staying with it is hard, and life’s loud. But writing’s become a kind of escape hatch – like gaming used to be, only quieter. More mine.

Anyone else in the middle of writing something? Not dreaming it, but actually doing it? Would love to know how you kept moving when it got foggy in the middle.

Stick at it. Everyday experiences can be intertwined and snippets of overheard conversation. For quick gratification write short poems as well. I have never written a complete book but like to write short stories on plenty of topics, I attend a library session once a month where several of us read our work out load and critique each other in a positive way. Good luck.

 

[Sankari]

I've written a couple of books, but neither of them are fiction. I found that the main thing you need is a well planned structure.

 

[Bluecube]

I’ve written eight books but it’s been a while since I’ve written anything simply due to time constraints. I initially made them available on Kindle and then further digital platforms as they became available, but now most platforms also allow you to make the book available for publishing on demand. Don’t sweat the distribution unless you want to make millions in which case you’ll need an agent and a hell of a lot of luck…

 

[Faser Active]

You're definitely not alone. Most authors report that the middle part of writing a book is the hardest – motivation dips, and doubts creep in. What often helps is setting small, manageable goals and focusing on progress, not perfection. Even bestselling novels started as scattered scenes and late-night notes. The key is consistency over inspiration.

plus some authors have blogs there with advice on writing and editing books, publishing, marketing etc....

or nowadays probably a little more up-to-date: YouTube and social media influencers.

 

[dave28]

or nowadays probably a little more up-to-date: YouTube and social media influencers.

if you can filter through all the clowns on there maybe

 

[Hagar]

Stephen King wrote a very accessible and easy to read book called " On writing, a memoir of the craft" some twenty years ago. Definitely worth getting hold of. Other authors have written useful tomes on their subject too. I would not get bogged down on youtube you will find good bad and indifferent advice and I suggest just sitting down with a book in a comfortable chair and assimilate.

Advice on writing does not date.

 

[tom_nieto]

Wrote a PhD. Wouldn’t do it again! A lot of the time it was a test of resilience and endurance rather than knowledge and writing skill.

Good luck!