Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Beginning the journey of writing a book can be daunting, and it all starts with you: your message, your intentions, and your commitment. Therefore, setting yourself up for success at the very beginning will make the journey much more enjoyable.

Success doesn’t have to be in the form of a best seller. Success may simply be finding a way to articulate your feelings or ideas and forming them into something readable, whether it be for family and friends only, or for a wider audience.

1. Determining your intentions 

Why have you decided to write a book? What is it that you want to write about? Why have you chosen that subject or content? What are you hoping to achieve? The ‘why’s’ and ‘what’s’ are especially important as they set the tone for everything else you do; they are the crucial first steps of the journey.

Being realistic about the possible outcomes and the amount of work you will need to do are also very important. If your main goal is to become wealthy in a short space of time, the bar is already set way too high and consequently, you will end up disappointed and disillusioned.

However, if you set realistic expectations and goals, and are prepared to put effort into making them happen, the experience can feel rewarding, and you will produce a book you are proud to have your name on.

2. Prepare a conducive environment for creativity

If you have the space, create an area where you enjoy spending time and can work in relative peace (if that is your jam of course; some people prefer to work in noisy environments). Gather around you the tools you need to get the work done, and the accessories to spark up that creative fire. This could look like your favourite pen, stuffed toy, crystals, or even beverages—if it gets you into the writing mood, make sure it’s in that area with you.

If you don’t have the space for a dedicated writing area, visit the local library, a quiet café, or wherever you can carve out a niche in your home, even if it is only for your allotted period of writing time. One or two of those accessories might help get you into the zone, wherever you are.

Make sure you’re not too comfortable though, unless you can write in your sleep.

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3. Schedule writing time

Setting scheduled writing time may not be for everyone but can be very helpful if you struggle to commit or tend to procrastinate. Sometimes nothing will be achieved in these sessions, and that’s okay. Try writing whatever comes into your head: write the same word repeatedly, or even complete nonsense. Perhaps it will spark something in that moment or be inspiration the next time you sit down with it.

Reading something else out loud or simply observing life around you for a time may also ignite an idea.

If you have the flexibility to write whenever the desire hits you, go for it!

4. Allow yourself to write

This may seem like a moot point, but you’d be amazed at how many excuses can be thought of not to write. There are jobs to do around the house or other people to please or who you feel may judge. As a result, you may not feel good enough.

The list of reasons we can invent to not write is endless, but the list of reasons why you should write is much more meaningful. You know that yearning you feel, and if you can understand why you feel it and act upon it, nothing can stop you.

If you can’t feel the motivation by yourself, you may find encouragement and validation by developing a support network. This could consist of finding a trusted friend/s who will provide a beta read and honest feedback, or joining groups for writers, bloggers, or social media communities.

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5. Planning out your content

It can help to have a clear picture of what you are aiming to achieve, however, there are a number of ways to assemble that picture:

• Perhaps you are someone who benefits from visuals and may have sketches of characters, scenery, architecture etc.
• Some of us are list-makers and find structure in dot points or carefully laid out sticky notes.
• You might use mind-maps, timelines, an entire wall of a room, or any number of notebooks each devoted to a particular character, scene, mood, or chapter.
• Perhaps you simply have it all floating around in your head and can pull from it whenever you need.

Whichever method you use, make sure you have all your research and facts in perfect shape. Character, world, and plot development can all improve as you go along, but it is vital to have real-life information correct and created-world foundations intact.

6. Let’s get philosophical

The first principle of René Descartes’ philosophy is “I think, therefore I am.” The same principle could be applied to you. You are writing; therefore, you are a writer.

Comparison has two very different sides. Analysing your writing against that of others is unhealthy and unproductive, whereas the measure of your own work progression and growth can be extremely useful and inspiring. Everything you write has value, perhaps not immediately or obviously, but at some stage, its benefit will become clear. It is like a map of your creative journey, so don’t throw anything away.

How you see yourself and what you create can subsequently impact on your work and your motivation. If we think that we are not worthy, that may be reflected in what we produce. Be wary of that negative voice inside. If rubbish goes in, rubbish could well come out.

Keep hold of your dreams, have faith in yourself, and just keep on writing!

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