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This is a common question for most first-time authors.  Invariably, they have amazing book ideas.  However, when they sit down to write, they freeze.  They stop because they don’t know what to do.  Here are some quick “go to tips” to help you get started.

The Brain Dump.   This is a big one.  It’s important here to not worry about structure, such as chapters, definitions, or even grammar.  The idea is to document everything pertaining to your idea.  Just get it out.  If you are a hand writer, get a notebook and start writing things down.  If you are a laptop or desktop writer, create a file and just get it in there.  And don’t think about plots, story time frames, characters, story locations or specifications, etc.  The purpose here is to get everything documented.  Take your time and be thorough.

Chart it.   This is where you begin the task of organizing your thoughts.  It can be in the form of an outline or a chart.  You want to group the ideas together that make sense.  A great example of this is the recipe for baking a cake.  You have the recipe which is the main idea.  Then it’s broken down by the ingredients, the tools, and the process.  Each of these would be your chapter groupings.  And within each grouping will be the relevant thoughts that go with it.  Such as, the ingredients will include the flour, butter, sugar, etc.  The tools would be the beaters, measuring cups, spoons and pans.  The process will be the co-mingle of the ingredients in specific order including the bake time and cooling time period before icing.  You get the idea.  It’s also important to note this is just an exercise in grouping.  At this point, you can include the characters, story location and time frames and plot lines, etc.  This is not the time for structure or grammar checks.  Just put the puzzle pieces together.

Structure.   Okay, it’s time!  You have your ideas grouped together and you have a pretty good road map for each chapter.  So now, put them together.  You want to take the grouped ideas and create a sense of rhythm by putting them in an order that makes sense.  For example, in baking a cake, we don’t explain the baking time first, right?  No.  We first talk about the ingredients we need and the tools.  Same concept here.  Organize your chapters in a way that make sense.  And then you will assign a chapter heading (name) to each grouping.  Again, take your time.  This is not a process that you want to rush through.  Think about it.  It needs to make sense from a reader’s standpoint.  Give it the attention it needs.  At this point, it’s not yet time to focus on grammar, content or editing.  Just put it all together.

Grammar, Content, and Editing.   Your structure is done!  Now is the time for a grammar, content, and editing check. This is where you look at your sentences, paragraphs, and the grammatical tone of your story.  Does the story flow from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, and chapter to chapter?  Also, review each sentence and paragraph as if you are looking for a needle in a haystack.  Make sure all of your “T’s” are crossed and your “I’s” are dotted.  Once you have done that, turn your work over to either a professional, such as The Pyrateheart Press (shameless marketing plug here) or to someone you trust that will tear it apart and find what needs to be corrected.  Remember that ego has no place here.  You want your book to be awesome, so you will need to take some lumps.  Just know they’re coming.  The only way to get there is to have someone other than yourself take a look at it and make the much-needed corrections and recommendations.

Goals.   Okay, so you have gone through the painful process of grammar, content, and editing.  Yes, it is painful and frustrating, but you made it to this point.  Now a decision must be made.  What do you want to do with your book?  The obvious answer is to publish it, but how?  There are several avenues available in today’s world for publication.  Do you want a product that is in eBook format and downloadable only or do you want a product that is in hardback/paperback format or maybe both?  Make a decision and then do your research.  There are costs associated with all of it.  And what about marketing and getting the word out?  How much of this do you want to take on yourself or are you willing to pay someone else to do it?  Don’t rush into this part.  Take your time to really research your options.  And then finally – GO FOR IT!

I’m Yvonne Whalen, Corporate Operating Officer of The Pyrateheart Press and I’ll be back soon with more writing tips!