Writing a book is a dream common to many people from different backgrounds. It doesn't matter if you are an established author or a new mother who wants to make an original work for her child to read. Creating a book, even a small one, takes a lot of time, skill, and programming skills, but the end result will be something you (and many other people!) Will enjoy for years to come.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Plan the Book
Step 1. Start with a rough idea of what you want to do
The word "book" can be interpreted in many different ways. Trying to write a novel? A comic? A picture book for children or even adults? A manifesto on nihilism? If you want to make a book, you probably already have a general idea of what kind of work you want to compose.
Books can be divided into two broad categories: fiction or non-fiction. However, there are many possible means of telling stories of both kinds. Some books have an important visual component, while others rely solely on written words
Step 2. Read other books
Analyzing the works of other authors is a fundamental (and often underestimated) step to be able to create your own. If you have decided which medium or genre to adopt, you should immerse yourself in reading books that best represent the characteristics of those styles. Pay attention not only to the content (such as the plot and characters), but also to the methods by which it is presented, such as figures of speech, metaphors or flashbacks.
- For example, if you want to write an existential treatise, you can read the works of George Batailles or Albert Camus. An aspiring fantasy writer should read Michael Moorcock's Elric series.
- If you like a technique used by an author in one of his books, make a note. Great writers often borrow techniques used by others; plagiarism occurs only when specific information is copied without citing the original author.
Step 3. Decide which audience you want to target
No work of art has ever really been created in isolation. Even if you want to write a book that only you or another person will read, in the design phase you need to consider what the reading experience of your work will be like. If you are going to submit your work to a publisher, think about what they are looking for in new publications. For example, if you are writing for your child, try to imagine what it would feel like if the story were told before you go to bed.
Researching demographics and bestsellers will help you if you really want to break into the world of writing
Step 4. Try to write freely
If you have writer's block, try free writing exercises. Put your most bizarre ideas on paper and don't worry too much about the look of the finished product. Furthermore, all writers testify to the beneficial effects of consuming alcohol or caffeine to stimulate the creative process.
Write down everything that comes to your mind, following the thread of your reasoning. In most cases, you will be able to find a coherent sequence of ideas
Step 5. Recognize the great effort involved in producing a book
Before finishing the design phase, it's important to think about how difficult it is to make your book a reality. Almost all projects that are started are not finished. Usually this is because we are being hindered by real-life problems, such as stress from work or a romantic relationship. Plus, you can quickly lose inspiration if you leave your project aside for too long. Even if the amount of work depends on the type of book you want to make, it is still an important commitment. Try to face it only if you really feel up to the challenge.
Part 2 of 4: Writing the Book
Step 1. Create the texture
You can't write a book if you don't have a clear idea of the main topic. A work written without criteria will never be satisfying to read. Gather the ideas you came up with at the design stage and order them in a dramatic and interesting way. All works, however ambitious, have a beginning, a central part and a conclusion. If you feel stuck, look for inspiration in other books.
If your book is not fiction, replace the "plot" with the "thesis" or "information". In many ways, the process of creating a fictional book is similar to that of non-fiction works. In both cases, you need to collect your ideas and understand what you are going to write
Step 2. Write a draft of the book
At this stage, consider the introduction, core, and conclusion that you thought of when you created the plot and perfect its sense and structure. At that point, you should put all your best ideas on paper; you cannot be sure that you will not forget them if they do not have a concrete form. Don't worry if the sketch only makes sense to you, but make sure you don't skip this stage of the creative process. It won't be as tempting as actual writing, but it will save you a lot of frustration in the future. With a good plan, the execution will also be up to par.
Populate the sketch with characters or ideas. Once the groundwork is in place, you should start expanding the project. Fictional works are primarily based on characters, so it can be helpful to create separate sections for each of the protagonists in your story and consider their evolution
Step 3. Create your book's chapter schedule
When tackling a potentially very challenging project like a book, a clever way to better manage the process is to break it down into multiple parts. If you already have an outline of the events or ideas you want to cover in your work, it becomes easier to break them down into smaller sections that you and the reader will be able to digest better. If you find that you are having difficulty identifying the material that will make up each chapter, you should take a step back and add more details to the lineup of the book.
Try to name each chapter and write a few lines summary of the content. In the finished product you can avoid inserting chapter titles; they serve you only as guidelines to help you in writing
Step 4. Create a first draft
At this stage, you should have a complete lineup that leaves no doubt about the direction of your book. The time has finally come to shape your ideas. However, you should also consider your first attempt at writing a book as some kind of sketch. Try to feel free, without censoring yourself in any way. Go through each chapter independently and write until you feel like you've covered all the points with sufficient depth. Don't worry if the book seems too short; when you write the final draft you will expand or completely modify some parts.
Step 5. Compose the final draft
Writing, whether it's a profession or a hobby, is primarily a planning work. If you followed the steps in the article, you will probably agree. Either way, it's time you should take care of writing the finished product. It can take days, weeks or months, but if you take the hours, your literary dream will eventually take shape. It is a good idea to dedicate a defined amount of time to your work every day. Don't lose focus on your goal.
The final draft is considered a major revision, but you should deal with the latest round of revisions after reading it
Step 6. Think of a creative title
Some people have the title of their book in mind even before picking up the pen. In other cases, the title is the last piece of the puzzle. A great title attracts potential readers, even if they don't know any other information about the book. Think of works like Tolkien's "The Hobbit" or Ayn Rand's Atlas Revolt; they have titles that remain in the mind, even of those who have not read the book. Be patient and think of a concise and concise way to summarize your book in a few words.
If you can't find a title, choose a few words from within the manuscript. You may have already written your title without realizing it
Part 3 of 4: Creating the Physical Copy
Step 1. Create the title page. You should choose the style based on the type of book you are writing. If you are going to submit the manuscript to a publishing house, this page must be relatively simple. Create one that suggests what's inside your book.
- Just write the title of the work, your name, date and contact information, in a font large enough to be read easily. However, in any creative project the possibilities are endless. If you have good artistic skills, you can add a design to the title to create a more beautiful page.
- The title is of course mandatory on all title pages. Whichever design you choose, make sure the book name is large and prominent.
Step 2. Create a cover
Probably almost all of your favorite books, from fantasy and pulp books to leather-bound classics, have an attractive cover. Although an old saying suggests not to judge a book by its cover, all works are more successful if the first page catches the eye. If you are physically designing the cover yourself, consider the spine area of the book as well.
- If you are making the book yourself, you should laminate the paper of your choice. Design an attractive cover if you have the artistic qualities and don't forget to include important details, such as the name and title of the book.
- Remember that you only need to create a cover if you really want to do everything yourself and don't intend to send your book to a publisher. If your work will be published professionally, the publisher will take care of the drawings and the cover.
Step 3. Choose the manuscript format
Publishers receive dozens of works every day. While some publishing houses do not impose special requirements for the format of books, usually the best organized manuscripts are the ones most likely to be accepted. A poorly presented draft can be completely overlooked, even if the contents are brilliant!
- Follow the standard rules for font and font size. The standard format for texts is usually Times New Roman at size 12. Many professional authors use it because it is so easy to read.
- Number the pages. When submitting a manuscript to a publishing house, you cannot neglect page numbering. If they do mix, whoever receives your literary masterpiece must know how to put them back in order. Even a header for the pages (with author and title) doesn't hurt.
- Care for alignment and indentation. Microsoft Word left aligns and indents pages correctly by default, but if you've customized your settings, it's a good idea to make sure everything is fine before proceeding with printing.
Step 4. Print the book
Printing your masterpiece, the last part of the project, is simple but essential if you wrote the book on the computer. It is very important to have enough ink in the printer cartridges otherwise the words will start to fade towards the end of the work. If you don't have the proper equipment at home, you can print the book without breaking the bank at school, library, or copy shops.
If you have decided to send your manuscript to a publishing house, consider printing it on paper of a slightly different shade from traditional white; in this way, it will stand out among the dozens of identical works
Step 5. Bind the book
If you are going to complete the project yourself, you can think about binding it. There are many ways to do this; if you are interested in DIY, cardboard and glue are the tools you need. Find some card stock to glue to the pages as the spine of the book and tape the cover around the binding.
You should not bind the manuscripts of novels or non-fiction works that you wish to publish in this way. In those cases it is enough to bind the pages together with a spiral and create a simple title page. An overly colorful or elaborate presentation of the work makes it seem less serious
Part 4 of 4: Getting your work known
Step 1. Enjoy your book
You'd be surprised how many writers try to make their work known before even reading it. While you are probably very familiar with the characters and story development following the review process, it is a wonderful experience to relax and witness the events for the first time as a reader. If you've made it this far, you deserve a break.
Step 2. Show it to friends
Your friends can be excellent critics and editors; they will read your work very carefully and if you are lucky they will help you realize your dream. Consider their comments and edit your manuscript if you find it necessary.
Step 3. Submit your manuscript to a publishing house
Find the one that interests you the most and contact her about your work. Submit your manuscript, either by email or in hard copy. Most publishing houses prefer to receive well-edited manuscripts. It is best to submit yours to as many publishers as possible; even those you would rather not partner with can give you a chance to break through.
Publishers receive tons of submissions, so don't be discouraged if they take a long time to respond
Step 4. Publish your novel yourself
In the age of the internet, it is entirely acceptable (and in some cases even preferable) to do everything yourself and publish your work online. Creating a PDF copy of your manuscript and sharing it on the internet is a good way to get your name out there. Sites like Amazon give you the option to sell your finished e-book. However, remember that you will have to take care of the promotion of the book completely on your own. If you are lucky, the novel will gain popularity by word of mouth, but you will have to rely above all on yourself to achieve success.
Advice
- To write or carry out other creative projects you need patience and perseverance. It is a good idea to accept frustration as part of the creative process, giving yourself time to relax in the most difficult moments. At the same time, however, you shouldn't neglect the project for too long.
- If you are a novice writer, start with a smaller project; dream big later when you have mastered the basics.
