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!

 

[Faser Active]

if you can filter through all the clowns on there maybe

Yes, of course, there's a lot of rubbish. But some of them are very good. But you have to find them first, you're right. But nowadays there are really good videos for everything. Even children can take tutoring and complicated things are explained simply so that everyone can understand.
If you want something more classic, then I would also look at publishers. They also give tips from time to time. novum publishing has its own blog with help, but it's in German. Something similar will certainly also be available in English from other publishers too.

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.

I don't think you can compare a scientific paper with a novel. A novel is about creative writing, a scientific paper is about conveying knowledge. Which is often very bland.
But yes, I think university life is all about perseverance. You have to endure that too.

 

[moon man]

My daughter's done one of not sure what she will do with it but she also writes story's for relaxation apps in her spare time think she's made a few k in dollars although they insist on being self employed to be paid

 

[RxR]

I've privately written several short stories* for my kids over the years which they enjoyed. Now that I'm closer to kicking the bucket (and they've grown up) I am toying with the idea of writing them one last one.

* The Flaming Tale of Poliver Duck
* Logicus - Master of the Dot Sums
* The Adventures of Eyebad and Bang Bang

 

[DJMK4]

It was a dark dark night, on a cold cold night, the visibility was poor poor poor, along the spooky moore

I felt the breath against my chest

It went dark

and cold

the end

 

[Bluecube]

It was a dark dark night, on a cold cold night, the visibility was poor poor poor, along the spooky moore

I felt the breath against my chest

It went dark

and cold

the end

Which reminds me. To the OP, if you can get someone to edit anything you write.

 

[becks]

Thanks to all of you – it’s been really grounding to read your replies. Feels less like writing alone in a void and more like passing notes under the table in class. Here’s me catching up:

@radderfire: You’re right – consistency really is the engine. Trouble is, sometimes I mistake perfectionism for discipline. I’ll stare at one clunky paragraph like I can will it into brilliance. Maybe the trick is just showing up for the page – even if it’s messy.

@dave28: Appreciate the Goodreads tip – I didn’t know about the “Ask the Author” section. That sounds more useful than the tenth “how to structure your second act” YouTube video. Any author blogs on there you’ve found particularly honest or helpful? I’m a sucker for behind-the-scenes stuff.

@shifty_uk: That quote – “judge the seeds, not the harvest” – stuck with me. Maybe that’s what writing really is. Throwing seeds into a storm and hoping one of them takes root. I’ll keep watering them, even if it’s slow.

@Mr Badger: Wish it, want it, do it – sounds simple, but there’s a lot between the “want” and the “do,” isn’t there? Still, having that mantra in the back pocket doesn’t hurt.

@Epburpee: Love what you said about bookshops. The physicality of a book still means something. I don’t just want a file on a server – I want something I can drop by accident. Something that smells like glue and paper. Do you have a favourite indie shop where you actually browse?

@hornetstinger: Didn’t start with the stormy night, no – but I did once write a whole page where the only thing happening was a guy trying to untangle a phone charger in the dark. So I’m not off the hook.

@Hagar: That’s a brilliant idea, stealing from real life – snippets of overheard stuff, weird moments. I’ve got a list on my phone called “things people said while eating” and some of them are pure gold. I might try poems too – never thought of that as a warm-up. Thanks.

@Sankari: I’m jealous of anyone who starts with structure. I tend to leap in and then build the scaffolding underneath while it’s already swaying. Did you outline in bullet points, or was it more thematic sections? Would love to learn how you mapped it all.

@Bluecube: Eight books – wow. I can’t even imagine the muscle memory that comes from that. I’m not chasing sales, but I do want it to be real, you know? Good to know about the print-on-demand stuff. Did you do your covers yourself or work with a designer?

@Faser Active: That thing you said about scattered notes becoming whole – I felt that. Some of my favourite lines started half-asleep at 1:12am. Also, interesting mention about that blog – hadn’t heard of it, but might be worth a look even if my German’s rusty. Is it more craft-focused or publishing advice?