Writing a Book

Writing a Book - Book Recommendations

2006-05-25T03:25:00.000-07:00

I have on my bookshelves a great many books about writing and in my three writing blogs I have decided to mention the book - or books - I personally have found most useful.

On writing a book, I have several recommendations:

The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing - a 16 step program guaranteed to take you from idea to completed manuscript. This book is very helpful in getting to to plan and think about your book and take you through the entire book writing process.

Characters are so vital to fiction writing and Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger I found particularly helpful.

How to Write a Damn Good Novel - A Step by Step No-Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling is by James N Frey. It's concise, punchy and very helpful.

I also think very highly of the techniques mentioned in Nick Daws book writing course and if you would like further details, visit http://www.writeabookfast.com

For other writing book recommendations, please have a look at my other writing blogs Article writer and Hot Writing Tips..

In addition to the books mentioned, a Writer's Yearbook or Digest containing contact and submission details is essential.

Writing a Book - Advice from accomplished novelist

2006-04-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

Loretta Proctor’s recent novel, The Long Shadow, has attracted a great deal of favourable comment and particularly for her characterisation, vivid prose and meticulous research.

I recently asked Loretta if she has any advice for those writing a book and one point she was particularly keen to stress is to keep writing, rather than continually going over the pages you have just written. By writing and keeping going, you will be giving chance for your ideas to flow and book to take shape. Even if some of what you have written needs to be deleted later, by writing at least the body of the work will have been done and give you something you can work on.

Another tip Loretta passes on is to research your subject thoroughly and then put your findings to one side and write up the essence of what you have absorbed. Don’t write paragraphs of facts but use your knowledge to help in your writing, dialogue and action. Particularly in historical fiction, it is the suggestion or atmosphere of an era that you need to create and which can be conveyed by, say, a description of clothes or through the characters speaking. This again is something that Loretta has done so expertly in The Long Shadow.

If you would like to read more about Loretta Proctor, her book and many talents, I recommend you visit her website www.lorettaproctor.co.uk.

For more writing advice do check out my other writing blogs, Article writer and Hot Writing Tips.

Writing a book.

Writing a Book the Hemingway way

2006-03-30T07:41:00.000-08:00

There is no doubt that writing a book requires discipline. And to make sure you finish your book you do need to write regularly and often.

If you are writing a novel, aim to write something each day. It does not matter if it is just a few words or sentences but by doing something it will help keep your story and characters alive and fresh in your mind. To leave off, even for a few days or a week, runs the risk of breaking up the flow and makes it harder to pick up again when you restart. Also there is a risk that by taking time off, you may never actually get round to restarting.

Try not to allow this to happen and, particularly with a novel, aim to write something each day and, as you will find, day by day your words will add up and your novel get to be written. Indeed Ernest Hemingway made a point that when working on a book or story he wrote ‘every morning’ and early too, so he was less likely to be disturbed. And, that way, writing day by day, his books were written.

For other writing advice and tips, see my other writing blogs Article writer and Hot Writing Tips.

Writing a Book

2006-03-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Writing a Book

The prospects of writing a book may seem daunting. So many chapters, so many words, so much to write. But writing a book is far more achievable than you may think. If you regard book writing as a series of separate articles or stories then it becomes a much more manageable proposition.

Also, while a lot can alter in the writing, have a plan. Know what you are going to cover in each chapter. By working out your book in advance you will not only have a structure to build on but know what you are hoping to achieve. And nothing is worse than writing half a book and then running out of ideas.

As the proverb reminds us, ‘Yard by yard it’s hard, inch by inch it’s a cinch.’ Plan out your book inch by inch and writing a book – well, it might not exactly be a cinch, but it will certainly be a lot easier and far more manageable.

For further details on writing and getting your book finished, click here.

Also do check out my other writing blogs, Article writer and Hot Writing Tips.

Writing a Book

2006-03-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this Writing a Book blog. In this blog I will be giving tips and techniques that can help with writing a book.