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

(4 Posts)
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.

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.

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.

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.