How to write a book - Pt 1

All right - this is a big one, and something that authors do get asked from time to time. How'd you do it? How'd you write a book? How can I write a book?

Some people would say that you must have perfect syntax, a large vocabulary and grammatical perfection. I do not happen to agree with any of this, beyond the obvious fact that what you write should be readable to your audience.
I think that the number one thing you must have in order to be an author is a Voice.

Voice - you hear this term thrown around, but what does it mean?
In short, I think a voice is a unique perspective on the topic you are writing about. A Voice is the beat and sway of the words you choose, the descriptions you use. A Voice must be kept true to you, you cannot fake it by pretending to be someone else. Imagine someone in a car singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Definitely NOT Aretha! (by the way, that was me yesterday)

Writing is painting mental pictures in the minds of your readers. If you can see it, if you can describe it, you are a writer - no matter what words you use, no matter what syntax or grammar.

If you want to be a writer, you must nurture and develop your voice, be true to it, don't try to pretend to be someone else or "Write like they do".
Respect your art, no matter how you practice it, and others will sense its unique purity.