How to Write a Book

As the wife of published author Stefan Bourque, I have seen first-hand how difficult the writing process is. Writing a full-length novel is far different than writing articles or even short stories. It can be a difficult, lonely process, fraught with doubts and late-night caffeine highs. Here is an insider's view of what it takes to write a book.

Author, Know Thyself

Before putting pen to paper, or more likely, fingers to keyboard, take some time to ask yourself what your motives are for writing a book. Do you envision yourself as a best-selling author? Would you be fulfilled to simply hold your published book in your hands, never mind if you ever see a royalty check? Are you writing to get your story out because it keeps haunting you? Or maybe you simply want to bask in the revelry and the oohs and aahs of others when you state, "I wrote a book."

Knowing your reasons for writing your book is important because you will need to draw on your motivation later on when you're facing down writer's block, or the dreadful feelings that you never should have started this journey in the first place. If you don't know why you are writing, you will likely never finish your book.

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