Millions of people want to write a book, but only a few will. Let’s get your book across the finish line! With the right mindset and some helpful tips, writing a book can also be a rewarding experience. In this article, we offer tips to help you start writing, the steps involved in writing your book, and a deeper dive into finding beta readers to read your work when it’s time.
3 Tips to Start Writing Your Book
The first step to writing your book is to simply get started. Here are some tips to help you overcome the initial hurdles:
1. Create an Outline
An outline helps you organize your thoughts and keep your writing on track. Settle the points you want to cover in your book and draft a rough outline. This also helps you notice any gaps in your story.
2. Set a Goal
Only 20% of the population sets goals, according to Reliable Planet. Yet setting goals is the first step to achieving what you want to accomplish. When it comes to writing a book, decide how many words you want to write at the weekly and daily levels and stick to it. Even incremental advancements to your word count will add up over time.
3. Do a Brain Dump Every Day
We all have cobwebs we need to clear out of our brains before the good stuff can flow. Try a brain dump either first thing in the morning—aim for two to three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing—or write before you sit down to work on your book. This way, you get the distractions, random thoughts, and ideas down in a separate space and can focus solely on writing your story when you turn to your manuscript.
Steps Involved in Writing Your Book
Now let’s dive into the steps involved in writing your book:
1. Research
Whether you’re writing a novel or a non-fiction book, you need to have a good understanding of the topic you’re writing about. Thorough research shows your readers that your book is accurate and informative.
2. Creating the First Draft
Once you have a good understanding of your topic, it’s time to start writing. Use your outline as a guide and get your words down. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect the first time around. Just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. You’ll have plenty of time to make revisions, get feedback, and have your manuscript edited.
3. Self-Editing
After you’ve completed your first draft, it’s time to start editing your work. This is where you refine your writing and make it the best it can be. Focus on filling in gaps in your story, adding more information and you may even need to rearrange chapters or paragraphs. You can repeat this revision process as many times as you feel necessary. Then, you’ll want to do a full read-through just focusing on sentence structure, grammar usage, and punctuation. Click here for more tips on self-editing your book.
4. Beta Readers
Before you submit your book, it’s standard practice for writers to find beta readers who are willing to read, make notes on, and provide feedback for your manuscript. You’ll want your beta readers to be honest and thorough with their feedback, so you may find it more helpful to ask acquaintances or strangers to beta read for you instead of friends or family. They can help you identify areas that need improvement or provide general feedback on your writing.
How Do I Find Beta Readers for My Book?
Finding beta readers is an important step in the writing process and it doesn’t have to be challenging. Here are four tips to help you find beta readers:
1. Join Writing Groups
A writing group can not only help hold you accountable during the writing and revision process, but it’s also a great way to connect with other writers and get feedback on your work. You can also find beta reader buddies through a writing group. Look for local writing groups in your area or through online writing communities.
2. Ask Friends and Family
Your friends and family may be great beta readers, too. Just be sure you ask them to be honest and thorough in their review of your work and remind them that their feedback won’t hurt your feelings. Reach out to three to five people and ask if they would be willing to read your work.
3. Tap into Your Social Media Following
If you have a larger following on social media, you could ask followers if they would want to read your work and provide feedback. Set clear deadlines and expectations, so you get back helpful commentary.
4. Use Beta Reader Services
Your last option is to use a beta reading service. These programs connect you with beta readers who can provide feedback on your work.
You’ll want to aim for three to five beta readers for your manuscript. A minimum of three people is important because it’ll give you more context if several readers trip up over similar places in your manuscript. And any more than five readers may create too much commentary to read through.
You may also find a mix of the beta reader types above helpful. Maybe you find a beta reader through your writing group, a friend or family member, and one from social media. A good mix of people who review your work will give you a fuller picture of how future readers may respond to your work.
Conclusion
By creating an outline, setting goals, and focusing on drafting your manuscript, you’ll have a great start writing your book. Conduct your research, write your first draft, and carefully edit your work. The last step of your writing process will be to find beta readers to review your work and provide feedback.
