How to actually START writing your book
Courtney, how do I start writing a book?!
This is a question I get asked all the time. Literally, ALL the time it’s probably about half of my DMs and messages and the first thing non-fiction writers ask when they find out I’m a self-publishing coach.
Honestly, I’m not even really sure what kind of answer everyone is expecting. Maybe they think there’s a trick, or prerequisite or some type of winning formula I’ve developed that will make the work of writing less, you know, actual work.
Here’s the big reveal you’re all looking for...
You actually have to start writing the book.
Wait, what? If I want to write a book, I just need to sit down and write?
I mean YEAH, that’s pretty much it. That’s the meat and potatoes my friend. The best way to do it, is just to DO IT. Schedule some time in your calendar and call it “Actually write a book”. There’s no secret. I recommend starting a regular Google Doc or Pages Doc with no fancy formatting or adjustments and titling it “My Book”. That’s where you’ll sit down and start to word vomit basically an entire book’s worth of content on one flight home (oh wait, is that just me…?)
But honestly? Even THAT isn’t a MUST-HAVE. The Harry Potter books were started on cocktail napkins, so literally, anything is possible. The important thing is that you take your ideas and turn them into words - that’s how you start writing. You’ll have to turn your manuscript into a document later, but if writing with a pen and notebook is better for you...do that!
All that to say, it’s best to be smart about it before you start. You don’t want to get halfway through writing and stop to wonder, wait wtf am I even writing about?! Here’s how you can do some brainstorming first:
Think about who your ideal reader is. Who will benefit the most from the story you want to tell? What life experiences do you have that they will be able to relate to (things like balancing business & parenthood, finding spirituality later in life, or rebuilding life after a divorce). Give them a name & start building a reader persona, which will help you with the next thing..
What topics do you want to write about? Identify the main theme of your book and then start breaking that down into smaller topics. For example, in Momfident AF the theme of the book was confidence & self-love so some of my topics were body image, fitness and body acceptance. Just sit down and freely brainstorm some topics you feel confident writing about.
What would 10 chapters be about? If your book was 10 good-sized chapters long, what would be the main idea of each one? These will be similar to your topics, just a little bit more specific & expanded upon. Fitness - my experience in the fitness industry.
Explain your book in 1 sentence. This is helpful to summarize your ideas, give you a solid reference point to always come back to and possibly even ideas for titles. One sentence, not two or three or four. ONE!
What does your reader get from reading your book? The most important thing you want to plan out - WHY you’re writing this book. What’s in it for your reader? How are you helping them? Seriously, if nothing else don’t skip this one.
Bonus tip - If you’re writing a non-fiction book you might also need to start outlining your book in more detail or dedicating some time to research, depending on the type of book. Keep your research notes in a separate document so your manuscript document is a clean slate for your creative writing.
Okay so if you’re feeling a little more motivated to start writing but are still like ok but how do I turn my ideas into a book? How do I know how many words I need to write? Who’s going to keep me on track?! DON’T WORRY, I’ve got you!
If you’re looking for a book outline resource to help strategically work through brainstorming all of your ideas, you can download my free book mapping workbook. It will guide you through all of the theme, topic, sub-topics you’ll need to have a complete book outline by the end of it.
If you’re looking for a little bit more structure & accountability, my Write Now writing course is available as a self-directed resource complete with all of the tools and templates you need to start writing your book WRITE NOW (get it!). Plus you get bonus accountability emails to keep you on track so you’re ready to actually write that book sister.
You can totally do this!
Xo Courtney
