A couple of months ago we had Jesse Krieger on Making Bank. He spoke about how he went from writing a book to starting a publishing company. Watch the whole episode here.

Many of us dream of having our own book. We want to see our names in print. To have our words out there for the world to read. This is not a goal that one can achieve overnight. It takes weeks and months (sometimes even years) of effort. Most people have ideas and stories ready, but these don’t see the light of day. Not everyone has the strength it takes to get through the struggles involved in the writing process. Read on for our tips to get things going!

The ‘Why’
What is your reason to write the book? Do you want to share a solution that will make lives earlier? Is there an experience you want to talk about? Is it a way to stay creative? Do you want to make a living off writing? Understand your ‘Why’ before you embark on the process.

The ‘Where’
Social media shows writers sitting at cafes with their laptops, writing. Or at the beach. This is great and it does work. However, you do need a space that is only for writing. It helps to have a table or a designated area in the house. Sitting in that space will give your brain the direction that it is time to start writing. It will help you stay on track and avoid distractions. Pick an area that is comfortable for you. If you prefer sunlight and fresh air, write in a space that gives you that.

The ‘How’
There is only one way to get better at writing — to write. There is no real formula here. It all comes down to sitting down and writing. The more you do it, the easier it gets (like most things in life). Reading books, in our outside your genre, helps too. Observe how other authors write. Their style, choice of words, content, and so on. Once you begin writing, set a word target for yourself to help stay on track. Based on how much time you have you could aim for 500 or 2500 words per day.

You’ve Written It- What Next?
Writing the book is Step 1. How do you now sell it?
Network with authors
Use social media to promote your book
Talk to publishers if you intend to use that route
Talk about your book
Figure out the marketing strategy

A Few More Insights For You
Research your topic as much as you can. Spend time on the genre, the niche, and the subject in itself. Write the first draft, even if it seems messy. Keep writing. You have plenty of time to edit it once it is all written down. Find out what sells — what are people reading more of? Use an outline when writing. Figure out how the story progresses, the character development, a memorable incident, and the climax. Keep sentences concise. Get ongoing reviews from trusted friends or mentors. Pick someone who you can count on for honest feedback. Give yourself a treat to incentivize the process. Accept the fact that it will be hard. You will get frustrated, tired and will want to give up. You may question everything you’ve written and want to quit. Understand this is part of the process, and keep going.