How to write a book in 2021: The ultimate Guide for Aspiring Writers. (Part 1)

 How to write a book in 2021: The ultimate Guide for Aspiring Writers.  (Part 1)

 Writing a book is a long-time dream for many people. It’s a fact now that almost anyone who can write can write a book. Many diverse people and inventions have made this possible.

But most of all, we have to thank Johannes Gutenberg. When he invented the printing press around 1440, he would never have imagined how popular it would become. He also wouldn’t have guessed that his invention would affect the future. Before Gutenberg, people have been writing and publishing, but his invention gave steam to the speed of publishing a book. What was previously a slow process was suddenly running on top speed. It was the radical technology of its day. In Europe during the Renaissance, the printing press paved the way for an era of mass communication. And that changed society itself. People’s literacy rates increased. They need to read something. Among others, that meant one thing, writers had to write.

What has it got to do with writing your book, you ask? Well, you should thank Gutenberg because he laid the foundations so that nearly 580 years later, you can be easily published today.

You, if you are interested in writing a book.

Can, if you know how to write a book.

Easily, because of the advances in technology.

Be published, if you go through the process of publishing a book after writing it. Today, because of the ease of publishing a book now.  

In this article, we will look at how to write and publish a book.

Wanting to write a book and actually writing it are poles apart. How do you go from an aspiring writer to becoming an actual one? Let’s find out.

 

Before You Begin

Writing a book begins much before the actual writing of it. Even if you have the perfect idea for the book ready, and you are raring to go. You can call it the planning stage. You can skip this stage, but you’ll be happy later if you didn’t.

 

1. Find your Motivation Behind Writing

Examine your motives. What are you trying to accomplish by writing a book? Ask yourself again and again till a clear answer emerges. You can, of course, go ahead and write a book without any self-reflection at all. However, the work you put in at this stage will give you answers to one crucial question you will need later. This stage will give the scaffolding on which your future book will stand. So please don’t rush through it.

 

People write books for many reasons. Here are some reasons why people want to write a book:

• To be respected.
• To build their credibility.
• To earn money.
• To share a powerful story.
• To provide a mental escape for others.
• To change people and their lives.

So, why do you want to write a book? This question is tied up with your idea of success. Are you writing because you want to be a famous writer? Nothing wrong with that. But it would be best if you were clear about it. It is because if fame is the aim of your writing if you receive critical acclaim but not fame, will you be happy? You might not. 

 

On the other hand, if you want critical acclaim and get accidental fame, will you feel satisfied? You may or may not. Look deep inside yourself. In answering this question, you will clarify to yourself what your motivation is for writing a book 

 

2. Choose a Perfect Writing Space

Now that you have done the foundation work, it’s time to look at your immediate surroundings. One of the questions interviewers ask writers is, “Where do you write?” That is because everyone is curious to know where the book took shape.

A leading online newspaper had a column devoted to writer’s rooms. They included a photograph of the writing space as well. You could see the variety of areas that qualified as “writing spaces.” Children’s author Michael Morpurgo wrote on his bed. Fantasy author Philip Pullman has his writing shed. He says, “I sit at a table covered with an old kilim rug, on a vastly expensive Danish orthopedic chair, which has made a lot of difference to my back. The table is raised on wooden blocks, so it’s a bit higher than normal.”

 

We know that Jane Austen wrote in her kitchen. J. K Rowling wrote in a café. Before becoming famous, Haruki Murakami had a full-time job as the manager of his jazz bar. He says: “Each night after that, when I got home late from work, I sat at my kitchen table and wrote. Those few hours before dawn was practically the only time I had free.”2

Your workspace is probably the most important space. Hence, finding a place where you will not be disturbed and conducive to writing is significant. You don’t need to get the best table, the best ergonomic chairs or the best equipment. The thing with writing is that it can be done anywhere. But it would help if you decided on the place that is most comfortable and productive for you. 

 

3. Choose your Writing Tools

So now you have fixed a place for writing, you will need tools. Make a list of all the items that you will probably need. Here is a list to help get you started. 

• A laptop with a writing software of your choice.
• A wired/wireless mouse (optional).
• Backup hard drive or cloud space (subscribed or free).
• Printer & cartridges.
• Paper.
• Pens & Pencils.
• Stapler
• Paper clips
• Sticky notes
• Research material (if any).
• Reference books (if any).
• Your notes (if any).

First, make a list and gather the things you need. Try to think of all future possibilities. For example, you might need a printer and paper because someone asks for a hard copy of your manuscript.

If you handwrite your manuscript, store a significant amount of paper that you prefer writing on and pens and pencils that you need. British fantasy author Philip Pullman preferred a specific type of paper: “I write by hand, using a ballpoint pen on narrow lined A4 paper (with two holes, not four).”3 

 

4. Embrace your Emotional Environment

By emotional environment, we are talking about your mental and emotional health. It is also essential. Are you sleep-deprived and anxious? Are you in the middle of a custody battle? Are you worried about the end of the world? All these will show up in your writing, either directly or indirectly.

Perhaps it is not such a bad thing. A book is the product of its author’s time, and the time it is written in as well. You can’t write in a vacuum. Some of these events might seep into your writing. And that is okay. Take stock of it before you begin. The stresses and strains of everyday life will be there. Some writers think of writing as being therapeutic, a way to deal with the stresses of life.

For instance, many writers are not able to write during the COVID pandemic. Even though isolation and time alone are plenty, this is because of the sense of anxiety that permeates the world. Our uncertain future affects everyone. It is essential to acknowledge this and try to write as much you can. past 2 of this blog will be publish tomorrow, if you found this blog helpful then do share with your writer friends, do follow us on instagram write_ur_firstbook to get daily new updates and new post.. best luck for your new novel...keep writing, keep reading keep supporting.