Have you ever had a desire to write a book?

It is an indisputable fact that to write a book of any kind is no easy feat. There are multiple layers that one must undergo before a book can be brought to completion. There are times when the general idea of the book is structured perfectly in your head. However, still, you are unable to put thoughts into words, and pen onto paper. The obstacles one tends to face in this process are tremendous, yes, but they are not indestructible. Once you manage to thrust some boulders out of the way, it becomes rather simple to reach the finish line. This article aims to equip you with the necessary tools you need to deconstruct those boulders and do just that.

 

Overcoming Writers Block

One of the most annoyingly consistent hassles that aspiring authors face when writing a book is writer’s block. This is when you just can’t find the right words to express yourself. Thus, you are unable to build a narrative that you feel does justice to the topic you are writing on. Everyone from amateur writers to experienced authors have, at some point, fallen victim to writer’s block. It’s extremely common, and like most problems, it has viable solutions. One of the ways in which most people get rid of writer’s block is by unwinding. You may do this by going for a walk or taking a power nap.

 

In many cases, listening to music has also helped people get their creative juices flowing. The idea, essentially, is for you to get out of your restricted space. Do something to help untie the knot in your mind, making it easier for you to transform thoughts into words. Moreover, if you feel like the environment you are writing in is too constricted, change locations. Sit in a quiet, secluded corner so that you are able to maintain focus and not let your mind wander. Once you are completely comfortable with your position, the words should come to you flawlessly and with ease.

 

Brainstorming

So you’ve mastered the art of centering your thoughts and focusing on the content that you want to deliver. The next step to indulge in a little brainstorming before you dive into the writing process. Make a mind map. This is primarily a rough sketch or outline of what it is that you want to say. It can help you formulate your ideas and may serve as a beginning point for your writing. An alternative is to come up with sub-topics, structure them, and then use them to churn out creative content. The point that must be remembered, regardless of what technique you’re making use of, is that starting out small helps. After you establish the initial pointers, it becomes easy to build up on them and expand on them further. This is also a great way to collect your argument, and avoid wavering from the topic at hand.

 

Engaging Your Readers

Secondly, when writing, it is necessary to engage the reader in a way that is interesting and indulging. He or she must not feel inclined to put the book down a few pages in. Remember, your content will not leave an impact unless it is delivered in an appealing manner to the reader. People are generally very emotionally invested in human-interest stories. Including those in your work is bound to turn heads, or more appropriately, pages.

There is a sizeable difference between writing a book, and writing a best-selling book. Studies have shown that books that do really well are the ones that resonate with readers the most. In addition to the techniques mentioned above, a best-selling book has a number of key characteristics that never fail. Firstly, information in a good, practical book, is broken down into chunks that maintain the reader’s full attention. The average reader prefers information to be presented on a platter, rather than hidden somewhere in a monotonous paragraph. Secondly, a good book looks towards the future. It provides an action plan that readers can understand and relate to. Initially, it builds up on this plan by providing the necessary context in the form of either stories or advice. However, the primary focus is on what the reader can do in the future, to better their quality of life.

Once the right action plan has been established in the book, the reader may be provided with a checklist. This may be a list of goals that the reader must achieve to get to where they need to go. A person that is handed the tools to achieve their goals is more likely to achieve them. A book that provides these tools is more likely to be preferred by readers.

 

 

Self Publishing

Once you have written your book, you must look towards ensuring that it reaches the people that you want reading it. One of the ways in which this is done is through self-publishing. In most cases, authors prefer it because it is quicker and more convenient than dealing with a traditional publisher. Self-publishing eliminates all the red tape and essentially cuts out the middleman. The author also tends to have more creative control, something that many authors are looking for. However, if you do decide to partake in self-publishing, a few things must be considered. The lack of professional editing may affect the quality of your work, especially if you are a first-time writer.

The final boulder that you need to conquer to complete your book-writing process is to market it. This goes without saying because without the right kind of marketing, your book may fail to reach your target audience. In today’s digital age, the primary/most effective way to market your book is by promoting it on social media. Launch a website for your book and boost it on various popular social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. This will greatly elevate the chances of your book reaching the right audience. You may also provide copies of your book to bloggers so that they can review them. An individual reading the review is highly likely to go out and buy the book if it is favorable. Moreover, organize a book launch. Invite friends, family, bloggers and even the press to cover the event for the local news. All these methods of marketing are foolproof and cost effective, and guaranteed to help you boost sales.

The above-mentioned steps are designed to help you fulfill your desire to write a book. Think of them as rungs that will eventually help you reach the top of the literary ladder. Writing a book is difficult, but these steps should bring more ease to this task, and hopefully, more respite. Godspeed!