Gransnet forums

Arts & crafts

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

How to write your own book, have you had any experience?

(7 Posts)
Add comment | Report
blueblossom Sat 03-Oct-26 16:35:08

My husband has been toying with the idea of writing his own book for quite some time now. We’re actually now discussing how this could one day become a proper manuscript. The only problem is: neither of us has absolutely any experience with this.

It gets tricky right from the start. Do you just start writing, or should the whole story be more or less in place beforehand? Even with a finished manuscript, there’d probably still be plenty of unanswered questions. You read about test readers and editing, then about publishers or self-publishing. Getting help from a service provider also seems to be an option. As a complete novice, it’s easy to lose track of everything quite quickly.

Has anyone here written a book themselves and can tell us how you got started back then? I’d be particularly interested to hear what, in hindsight, you would have done differently with your first book.

Add comment | Report
Maremia Sat 03-Oct-26 16:42:30

Just start writing. See what emerges.
Or
You can plan it, chapter by chapter. Make a list of what you must cover.
Very exciting. Enjoy it.

Add comment | Report
Aveline Sat 03-Oct-26 16:51:43

Stop reading about it and just get writing. If you've not got anything written what have you got? Nothing.

Add comment | Report
Knitter43 Sat 03-Oct-26 17:19:37

Are we talking about fiction or non-fiction here? I have written and self-published a local history book which has sold well and continues to sell. I thought about it for ages then decided to just do it. I decided to give myself a year, otherwise it.might have gone on for ever. Do your research thoroughly and decide on your intended market first then just get writing. You can work out chapters as you go and decide whether to investigate publishers or self-publishing as you progress but it's important to.just get into the discipline of writing whether longhand or on your computer. I thoroughly enjoyed the research process. Keep all your paperwork organised. I have no experience of writing fiction but the process must be similar. Get those ideas down on paper first. I think the Writers Year book is very helpful and Writing magazine too. I haven't made a fortune but I have more than covered my costs. I feel it is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Incidentally the title was one of the first things I thought of. Good luck.

Add comment | Report
Janiepops Sat 03-Oct-26 18:45:15

Hello blue blossom. If you type Story Keeper into google, then go to it, Story Keeper is a guided way to write your life story. It interviews you, asking succinct questions, that wakes up your memory !! It is a bit like a ghost writer, you tell it everything, and it edits if necessary. You can take a year or so, or just a week! It receives your pictures or certificates etc, and records your voice for grandchildren to remember you.
Our son gifted it to us for about £100, but can be less, or more!
I’ve not started yet, but it looks incredible.

Add comment | Report
eazybee Sat 03-Oct-26 18:54:02

Sit in front of your computer and write a set number of words every day no matter how poor you think they are.
After a week, read and revise all you have written.
You will begin to realise whether you need to plan, research or simply get it all down on paper.

Then start work.

Add comment | Report
Gwyllt Sat 03-Oct-26 19:11:52

Before you go to the expense of publishing do get some honest opinions I have read some awful self published novels some I was unable to finish I know it wasn’t a cheap exercise I have read the occasional good one which I really enjoyed

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise