Ideas for the Aspiring Authors
Writer: Brian Langhoff
I am often asked by other aspiring authors, “How do I write a book?”
My answer to that is simple. You write it in a way that works for you. There are no rules for how long it should take or the path you must follow to get to completion. Once you find inspiration, it is a good idea to create a treatment for the story. The treatment contains all your ideas, key elements, character profiles, names, plot devices, twists, etc. The treatment is your living reference as you write the story. It should evolve with every new thought or idea that is added. You can even keep pictures of characters and important elements to help in the descriptive process.
Next, begin with the first or strongest thoughts or ideas you have about the story you want to tell. It doesn’t matter if it is the beginning, middle, or end of the story. Start somewhere so you can feel the accomplishment of completing the initial milestone of getting your thoughts onto the written page. This will help you establish a flow for your writing while developing your unique style of storytelling and setting the tone and tempo of your work. Feel free to change things up in the beginning as you develop your story. Find out what works and as you edit your first paragraphs and write the additional content, you can make it consistent.
Don’t get bogged down or consumed in being perfect or holding to your initial intent for your story. You may start with one mindset to guide your process but by the end of the writing and editing processes, your novel may become something completely different. If it works, let it happen! The story will tell itself as it wants to be told. You are the vessel that transfers the images of your mind’s eye to the written word. Don’t fight your story!
Once you have filled in the gaps, and your first revision is done, remember that your first revision is not the completed story and will be rough. While you are writing and conducting multiple run-throughs to edit your story it will evolve many times throughout the process as you make changes to the content and structure before it is ever ready to be published. Be open to natural change as ideas continue to flow. Don’t force the story or the reader will notice. If you get tired of writing and find yourself putting down words for the sake of fulfilling some arbitrary goal you have set for yourself, take a break. You may need a few minutes to a few weeks to get your mind straight. Take as much time as you need but don’t give up. Let things flow and evolve naturally and you will have the greatest success in satisfying your readers.
Be open to using a good editor and proofreader to provide feedback and make the necessary corrections that will make your novel even better. They are a great resource for ensuring your story is the best it can be. Even the greatest authors use these resources because there is value in a fresh set of eyes. They are your last chance to ensure your novel is everything it can be and to ensure it will be engaging for your readers.
Finally, be sure you have a clean and easy-to-read layout with a nice and adequately sized serif font that will make it easier for your reader to enjoy their experience. But first, you have to get them interested, so spend time and money to have a professional cover created. A strong cover with a good synopsis on the back cover will stand out on the shelf and is your first chance to make an impression on your prospective reader.
I was once told, “Everyone has a story inside them. The brave ones are those who share it with others.”
Happy writing! Let’s meet in the next big adventure.
About the Writer:
Brian has been writing professionally for over thirty years. He has been technical writing for several fortune 500 companies as well as various trade and special interest publications. He has a great passion for storytelling and has used his creativity to produce poems, skits, plays, short stories, essays, motivational presentations, and most recently he has released his novel “Cocos Beckons – The Curse of Yemaya” and he is working on the sequel “Return to Cocos – The Reawakening” as well as a psychological thriller “Dreams of Ambrosia” and a children’s educational book series “The Fantastical Adventures of Denver Sneaks.”
Website: cocosbeckons.com