You want to be an author?
Recently, I’m getting lots and lots of emails in which aspiring authors keep asking me how to write a book.
Today, I’ll throw out a few pieces of advice for all of you. But consider that whatever I tell you below, this is just my personal opinion. Different things might work for different people.
Okay? Let’s get started…
Writing 101 – block 1
THE TIME
First of all, make time to write.
You can’t write if things keep distracting you. Things like the TV, family, work you still have to do…and yes, even Facebook. 
I have my own writing room in my house, and when I go there, I’m all to myself. My family knows that when my door is closed, it’s closed, and they better not disturb me unless it’s a serious emergency, like the house is burning down, or it’s Thursday night and time to watch The Vampire Diaries ;-)
I happen to disappear into that room for entire days, because only if I have more than just an hour at a stretch, I can actually be productive.
Writing 101 – block 2
THE STORY LINE
Unless you’re a very skilled and talented writer who can make up pretty much anything from pretty much nothing, you will need to come up with the storyline before you start. Okay, I’ve been known to write the first chapter before I start thinking about a possible plot, but only to carve out the characters I want in a book and get to know them a little better. Only when I hear them talking in my mind I can work them into a good story. But when chapter one is finished, I take a sheet of paper and take notes. I jot down anything relevant about the main characters, then I think about the conflict in a book. And yes, there has to happen SOMETHING. Think about it as a cool movie. You have an opening hook, some getting to know the heroes and revealing what it’s all about, in the middle you start getting toward what’s there to be overcome, and then you need a cool showdown. You can’t write a book with zero conflict.
Writing 101 – block 3
WORD COUNT
I’ve been asked how many words you need to write a good book. Seriously, guys, cut that shit from your thoughts altogether.
If you have a story to tell, don’t think about the length. Just let it spill out of your fingers. Write and rewrite until you’re entirely happy. And only then – only at the very end – take a look at the word count and by it define which kind of book you created. Here are the standards
Under 7k Short story
7k – 17k Novelette
17k – 40k Novella
Over 40k Novel
If you want to shop you book later, you need to find out which agency or which publishing house is interested in which book length. For self-pub it doesn’t matter at all.
Writing 101 – block 4
INSPIRATION
Let me tell you one thing: Inspiration is a bitch. Why? Because it very often hits you at moments where you have no chance to take notes, and in 90% of all cases you’ll forget a brilliant idea before you’re able to open your ms.
I started carrying a note pad around with me, and I even have one on my nightstand, because if there’s one thing for sure in this world, then that the best ideas come at night. And don’t even try to convince yourself that you’ll remember them the next morning, because you fucking won’t.
Writing 101 – block 5
WRITERS BLOCK
Shit happens. Deal with it.
Writing 101 – block 6
TO STUDY or NOT TO STUDY
Do you have to study to become a good writer? NO! I’m an Austrian lass with an educational background in financing such as working at a bank and currently in the accountant department of a market-leading company. My first language is German, but I’m writing my books in English. All I know about how to write I learned by reading tons of books in my favorite genre. I analyzed the writing style of those authors, took notes in the books, and marked what I liked especially. I figured out how important emotions and dialogue are, took one or two workshops online, and read more books. If you really love to do something, you don’t need to study it to be good at it. But never believe you can do anything without learning. Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open.
Writing 101 – block 7
CRITIQUE GROUPS
The most essential thing for me is my critique partner. She’s the one who’s reading everything I write and gives me honest feedback. But it’s not that simple. What you do now is find a critique group online or if you’re lucky even in your hometown. Make sure that the group is dedicated to the genre you’re writing. There’s nothing worse than having a since fiction writer critiquing your romance novel. Those groups very often have experienced writers who can help you get on with your skills. They take a look at your ms and point out what’s good, what’s wrong, what’s working, and what’s missing. BUT…be very careful. Everyone has a different style. It’s called an author’s voice. You need to find someone who likes your voice and can connect with your writing, or he/she will destroy your story with his/her own style. It happened to me at my early beginnings. I met a few people who thought they had to totally rewrite my book just so it matched their taste in the end. I was too young and inexperienced to realize what happened. It just changed my script to all their advices, and in the end it didn’t sound like ME anymore, but like someone whose writing I didn’t even like. This was a hard lesson I had to learn, because in the end, I had to cut all the crap out of my book again and start from zero, giving it back the soul of my own voice. After two years of learning in these groups, I settled in with one critique partner only. I love to edit her books, and she loves to read mine. We do a nice job for each other, but we never push our own style upon the other.
This lesson in a nutshell: You do need a critique group, but trust your own feeling when someone wants you to make changes. Take what you like and toss the rest.
Writing 101 – block 8
PUBLISHING HOUSE vs. INDIE PUB
I tried both. Currently I’m sticking with the latter.
Indie-publishing has a lot of advantages, such as, you’re your own master, it’s faster, you get higher royalties, and no one rants if you’re not meeting a deadline. However, the traditional way of publishing does have a good side, too. They do all the editing for you and your book will be in better shape when going into print. If they’re a good house, they’ll do some promotion for you. Your book will be available in bookstores and not only on E-retailers like Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords.
Make your own choice here.
Writing 101 – block 9
QUERY LETTERS
If you decide to try a publishing house, you can either contact them directly or go the way via a literary agency. In both cases you need to prepare your script to be read and judged. Write a capturing query letter. It is short and if it’s any good it reflects the voice of your hero or heroine. Whatever you do, read the submission guidelines carefully. You only get one chance to make an impression. Don’t fuck it up.
Writing 101 – block 10
HANG IN THERE
Whatever happens, however often your book is being rejected, whatever people think or say about your story, and no matter how many tears you’re going to shed until the end – Never. Give. Up.
Tagged: writing
