So many people have said to me, "I don't know where to start! How do you do it?' How do you manage to write a book?" Well, it may not be as difficult as you fear. The "doing" simply is in the knowing how.
Let's start with the basics. Just as you prepared for doing your homework as a child and young adult, you must prepare for writing your manuscript. This isn't something you can just jump into without preparation.
First of all, most publishers want your work written using 10 pt. Times New Roman in Microsoft Word. Documents must be single spaced, with no spaces between paragraphs; each paragraph with a five space indent.
This may vary from publisher to publisher, so do your homework. Go to their website and read their guidelines for submission.
Today's publishers want submissions to be in pristine condition with:
Correct punctuation
Correct grammar, and
Vigorous editing
If you're trying for traditional publishing, most houses these days have their word count limits set to between 65 and 100,000 words.
Get an editor on board!
Find a writing/editing partner to work with, whose strengths do not mirror your own.
For instance, let's say that you are very good with dialog, and they are weak -- but they are very good with punctuation, grammar and verb tense agreement. You can help each other a great deal. In the end, however, a professional editor can be invaluable. The publishing world is not what it used to be. An editor will most probably not be provided, and many works are rejected on bad-editing alone.
Invest in a good writing guide such as Harbrace College Handbook or Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. They will be invaluable to you as you edit your work.
Start out with a good outline
Eternal beauties have "good bones." Your book has to have "good bones" to be a good book. That is, good organization, a good outline...a good "skeleton." Create an outline for your book to keep you on track. It doesn't mean that the outline can't change, but if you write out a "road map" for your work, you won't get lost before you reach your destination: the completion of your book.
Join a writing group
Let's start with the basics. Just as you prepared for doing your homework as a child and young adult, you must prepare for writing your manuscript. This isn't something you can just jump into without preparation.
First of all, most publishers want your work written using 10 pt. Times New Roman in Microsoft Word. Documents must be single spaced, with no spaces between paragraphs; each paragraph with a five space indent.
This may vary from publisher to publisher, so do your homework. Go to their website and read their guidelines for submission.
Today's publishers want submissions to be in pristine condition with:
Correct punctuation
Correct grammar, and
Vigorous editing
If you're trying for traditional publishing, most houses these days have their word count limits set to between 65 and 100,000 words.
Get an editor on board!
Find a writing/editing partner to work with, whose strengths do not mirror your own.
For instance, let's say that you are very good with dialog, and they are weak -- but they are very good with punctuation, grammar and verb tense agreement. You can help each other a great deal. In the end, however, a professional editor can be invaluable. The publishing world is not what it used to be. An editor will most probably not be provided, and many works are rejected on bad-editing alone.
Invest in a good writing guide such as Harbrace College Handbook or Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. They will be invaluable to you as you edit your work.
Start out with a good outline
Eternal beauties have "good bones." Your book has to have "good bones" to be a good book. That is, good organization, a good outline...a good "skeleton." Create an outline for your book to keep you on track. It doesn't mean that the outline can't change, but if you write out a "road map" for your work, you won't get lost before you reach your destination: the completion of your book.
Join a writing group
Comments
"So many people have said to me, "I don't know where to start! How do you do it?' How do you manage to write a book?"//YES!! That is exactly me so this is why this article is really helpful. Thank you :)
It was an honor, Carol! I loved the book!
excellent article and thanks so much for being my editor on my second book,
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