Thinking of writing a book? Here are 5 top tips to get you started.

Professionalism Matters is my first book – a book which has been a long time coming. Although I had published articles in sector-specific magazines and journals I somehow never got around to writing the book people thought I needed to write. Having amassed a wealth of knowledge through reading, researching, and teaching I certainly had some interesting thoughts to share on the subject, but the time never seemed right, until the Covid-19 lockdown came along. With time on my hands it seemed I no longer had an excuse, but that didn’t make starting the process any easier.

I put pen to paper, sketched out a few ideas, and read a few books about how to write a book. Writing a book is a journey, knowing I was likely to be in it for the long -haul I wanted to be fully prepared for the ride and able to navigate any obstacles, twists and turns that I might encounter. Keen to arrive at my destination (of publishing a book that others would want to read) I adopted a strategic approach in order to achieve success in a way which allowed me to enjoy the experience, balance writing alongside work and family, and emerge with my sanity intact.

Here’s what I did, and if you are thinking of writing a book, then I suggest you consider doing the same.

1. Write a book proposal plan

This will help clarify your ideas about the type of book you want to write, who it is for, and why you want to write it. I followed the plan set out in the book ‘From Authority to Authorship’ by Gwyneth Box. This includes a really comprehensive book proposal plan. Completing this helped focus my ideas, so I could start with the endpoint in mind. As I answered the series of questions, I got to explore my expertise, reasons for writing the book, and how it would be of value to my target audience. Moreover, I got to appreciate the scope of the book, its content and format, the commitment required, and my aspirations following its publication. After all, there is no good investing time in writing a book that no one wants to read, you can’t sell and have no long-term plans for. Clarity in the early stages at least ensures you’re heading in the right direction for all the right reasons.

2. Research the type of book you want to write and explore what books already exist

Get a feel for the type of books relating to your subject that are already out there. Chart the key message being portrayed and the audience they appeal to. Note the year of publication, style of writing and how you can relate to what is being said. After doing this I discovered that the market was not saturated with books on professionalism. Those that existed explored social and political perspectives largely aimed at academics, whilst others focused on business etiquette, manners, and the development of skills and were aimed at school leavers or new graduates. The rest were aimed at CEOs of large corporations and presented themselves as an effective tool for management and commercial success. What struck me was that although the books tended to cover similar topics, as a freelancer and small business owner I didn’t recognise myself in any of the books and struggled to relate to the context and the issues explored. Here was the gap in the market that my book could fill. Reading and analysing books already published helps you understand what books are likely to be sitting directly next to yours on the bookshelf in the bookshop. In seeking to understand the competition, it is possible to determine the approach you need to take to be different and stand out.

3. Consider getting yourself a book coach

Writing can be a lonely process without support, and stressful if you are unsure of what you are doing or lacking confidence to do it. Tapping into the ideas, and experiences of others is invaluable, and makes the journey ever pleasurable. There are plenty of book coaches out there, but my advice is to take your time in finding the right one for you. Don’t be afraid to check out their credentials and services to be sure they have sufficient experience in writing and publishing the type of book you wish to write and expect to sell. I met with my book coach once a month, as well as helping me overcome the physical and psychological challenges I faced it also helped me improve the quality of my writing as I went along. Book coaches are a great way of maintaining accountability, staying motivated and on track.

4. Join a writing group

Nothing makes you feel like a writer than being amongst writers. Whether face-to-face or online there is plenty to be gained from others’ experience and expertise. These groups are a source of inspiration and full of people willing to offer advice and share their experiences so you too can develop your writing skills. Personally, the writing community has been nothing but supportive. No matter whether you write fiction or non-fiction, everyone appears to be appreciated simply because they share a passion for writing. You don’t have to be a published author to join a writing group, you just have a desire to write. They are fantastic for expanding your knowledge of writing, publishing, and marketing and can accelerate your journey into authorship. Why not seize the moment by joining me and many others from across the globe for #FriSalon an online Twitter/ X group that engages in writing-related chat on Fridays at 4 pm GMT (11 am EST), its a fun way to learn and engage with an enthusiastic writing community.

5. Forget fancy apps and gadgets (for now at least)

People often think that to be a serious writer you need to invest in and install specific writing software packages. Personally, I got by without anything other than pen and paper and Word for Windows, which includes an option to dictate; handy when thoughts emerge faster than you can type. Although I installed Grammarly, an app which corrects and advises on style, grammar and spelling, I stuck with the free version until my draft was complete, opting to upgrade so I could make use of the plagiarism detection tools. The fact is, these apps won’t make your ideas flow any quicker and they won’t write the book for you. Quite simply, get writing! Progression should come before possession. It is much more motivating to see words on a page than it is to have an app with features that you are probably never likely to need or use. Fancy apps and gadgets won’t make you a writer, only writing can do that.

Turning ideas into words can be cognitively challenging. Making a start is often the hardest part. Don’t let this put off. If you have a burning ambition to write a novel or if like me, you are passionate about something and want to reinvent yourself as an authoritative voice on the subject and inspire others to change the way they think and act, then following these 5 simple steps is sure to kickstart your ambition of becoming an author.

As always, I welcome feedback and questions in relation to my articles. If you have something to say on the subject, consider it helpful or have a question to ask, then please feel free to contact me.

© Dr Cheryl Whiting October 2023