Book Writing Tips

Put off editing

All of us work at writing on two levels: a critical, conscious level and a creative, unconscious level. The unconscious produces original and potent words and images. It makes shocking and unique connections. It shuts down if the critical “editor” part of your mind goes to work too soon. Here are just a few ideas Brainstorm: words or images about your topic, don’t stop to assess their value. Keep writing down ideas. When you can’t come up with another word, wait for a minute. Often the most influential thought will come after you have cleared all the less valuable ideas out of the way. Write with music in the background and give yourself permission to be emotional.

Write what you know

Given the chance, what do you talk about constantly? What drives you to discover information? What are your passions? When you write what you know, you write with authority. People will listen to you because you are the one who knows. You are interesting because you are interested. Your knowledge is a gift to share.

Research

No matter what you know about a subject, there is always more to learn. Make sure you have the most recent information available on your topic.

Create a structure

For a number of writers, having a structure in place first makes the writing easier. Other writers put down all their ideas in a magnificent surplus of words, papers may be spread all over the car, the home, or the office desk. These writers like to see all the material and then form the structure. Both approaches work well depending on the personality of the writer. Both types of writers need to finish up with a structure that supports the reader’s understanding. There is no one correct structure for a book any more than there is one correct structure for a building.

Use strong nouns and verbs

Verbs are the action words, they put things in motion. Make yours as strong as possible. The verb to be (is, am, was, are, were) are like spilled milk on the floor. Eradicate it wherever possible. Nouns name the places, people, and things in our world. The English language contains numerous words for nearly everything. A male parent can be dad, pop, daddy, father, the old man, papa, pops, pa, stepfather, and other nicknames. Select the noun that does the best work for you. Short words are usually best; they have the most impact.

Be wary of adverbs and adjectives

If your nouns and verbs are powerful, you can eliminate many adjectives or adverbs. Confused as to what they are? They are the “descriptive words” your school teachers told you to use to make your writing “more interesting.”

Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar

Yes, there is a time to turn on the proofreader. A book is like a trivial task, no one notices when it is done well, but they see your mistakes clearly. Those annoying flaws in your book will make some readers turn away in disgust. Errors distract even the most compassionate reader. The reader may not even understand the rule you’ve broken, but he feels uncomfortable.

Work the details

Your thoughts will shine through more clearly when they are supported by details. Sensory information brings a scene clearly to mind. The majority of us rely on sight, so visual details are frequently used in writing. Authors need to use other senses as well; psychologists frequently say the most suggestive sense is smell. Provide specific names for things. Offer support for your point of view. Quotes from trustworthy sources, anecdotes, and statistics, all add credibility.

Cut, cut, cut

Authors frequently become enamored with their own phrases and words. Eliminating them can feel like losing a family member. It only feels that way. Cutting words from a manuscript is like pruning a bush; when we remove the diseased, dead, and ugly, we are left with a more beautiful, stronger plant. Be merciless with your writing. Slice out every needless word. How do you know what can go? Read what you’ve written leaving, out parts that sound excessive; if the piece still makes sense, leave out the excess. Condensed writing makes a bigger impact.

Use active voice

Active voice puts the active agent first, followed by the verb (the action), followed by the object of the action. Passive voice reverses the order. Active – The boy hit the ball. Passive – The ball was hit by the boy. If you eliminate the verb “to be?” you will be using active voice more often. Active voice has more impact and moves the action along. Passive voice sounds like someone is trying to avoid responsibility or conceal something.

Use parallel structure

Repetitiveness creates a pattern that helps a reader follow along. The human mind love patterns. Give your reader’s mind a pattern and your ideas will come through like sunshine through a window. Your reader will keep reading, take you seriously, recommend your book, change the world…

Show, don’t tell

If it’s a lecture your reader wants, there are preachers to oblige. What does it sound like, feel like, taste like, smell like, and look like? When you portray an event or person, your reader is there with you. When you tell, the readers mind goes to sleep.

Use humor when you can

Most people don’t crack jokes all day long, but some humor from time to time lowers a reader’s guard and opens them up to your thoughts.

Build to the end

Typically, we expect the most central idea to be at the end. When you write a list, put the most powerful, important, or unusual item last. The closing sentence in a paragraph ties up your ideas in a neat package or hints at the possible outcome. Your most powerful paragraph should always come at the end of the chapter.

Choose a beckoning title

A great book title is appealing and says, “Read me.” Depending on your subject, you may want to avoid a “sweet” or “clever” title in favor of one that makes a clear promise of what is within. Writers frequently hit upon a title as they write. Often, a reference in the book or an expression by a character comes to stand for the entire work. Don’t rush to find an ok title; you need to discover one that shouts out to a reader, insisting on a purchase.

Print out a hard copy

A lot of people compose directly into a word processor on a computer. Even if your printing company wants an electronic file, print a hard copy. It is easier to read and find your mistakes on paper.

Read your work aloud

One of the best self-editing techniques is to read your words aloud. Vague references and awkward phrases will jump out at you when you hear the words leaving your mouth. Many authors immediately correct the errors while others mark their paper and keep reading, returning later to make corrections. After you have corrected any issues, read it out loud once again. Do this over and over until you can’t find any more problems.

Find an editor

Before sending their work to a publishing house, professional authors often self-edit their own work and then share it with trusted friends. Once at the publishing house, editors examine the manuscript closely, looking for areas that need improvement or rewriting. Typically, multiple editors will read every book. As a self-publishing author, you may be in the uncertain position of making the final verdict about when to go to print. If you go too soon, your book will not be all it could be. No author desires to have a substandard book attached to his or her name. Once a book is published it is there forever. Writers are close to their own work; that closeness can blind you to its flaws. Trusted friends who often read, with good English skills can help you find errors. An editor can be retained at any stage of your writing. Choose an editor carefully; experience, skill, and personality are part of the writer/editor relationship.