Welcome to the Introduction to Writing. It all begins with a thought for a great story. The next step is to start writing your first sentence. Start today. You don't need to spend every spare moment at the computer. A half hour a day will bring it together. Pushing it aside and forgetting about it, will never fill your dream of having that special book published.
It can happen if you persevere and keep the confidence in yourself. Famous writers had to start where you are now. In the beginning, don't worry about making every sentence flow together or panic because they make no sense. There will be numerous times of having to go back to check your grammar, punctuation or spelling. You may find it necessary to re-word sentences. Those corrections should be the last stage.
Just write what is in your head and don't worry if the events are not in order by date or incidents. A computer is a gift, and a best friend, to a writer. Its function keys allow you to cut, paste, copy, delete, or add another page to your manuscript from the internet or documents. Remember, mistakes can be fixed.
One important task I suggest from my own personal mistakes, is to SAVE your material with each paragraph you finish. If you take a break for any reason, SAVE it. If there is a storm, SAVE it and shut the computer down. You would be surprised how hours of writing in a manuscript can be lost. You could be in the middle of writing that exciting experience from memory, and bang, the computer shuts off. If it's lost, you'll really learn what frustration is all about when you try to remember the last two pages word for word you had just finished typing. Worse than that, is losing your whole manuscript. It has happened.
Keep a pencil and a pad of paper on your end table in the living room and bedroom. Some of the best material for books seem to come during the wee hours of the morning. Those late trips to the bathroom can turn a light bulb on in your head. Keep one special location to store your notes. Type them daily into your manuscript. It saves paperwork from piling up or getting thrown out.
Buy a small, tape recorder (prices range from $40 or up) and carry it with you "everywhere." Sitting and waiting for a great thought to come to you can take hours. How many times have you been out shopping and something fantastic hit you for the book? By the time you get home that thought could be gone forever.
HOW TO GET A GOOD STORY
Listen to the conversations around you at parties, airports, the juicy gossip at lunch hours at work or family gatherings. What captivating fiction stories you could write!
When writing a memoir, don't hold back on your emotions. Tell the bad along with the good. You need to pull the reader into your feelings. That's how they connect to the story.
All of us have moments of experiencing a complete blank when we sit in front of our computers. Maybe you had spent too many long, tiring hours and days writing. Take a break. Don't force yourself to think when it's not there. It only bring on stress.
Writing should be fun and relaxing. You can afford to skip a few days. Take a weekend off and get completely away from the house to get fresh ideas. Make sure you pack that pad of paper, pencil, tape recorder or your laptop. A different atmosphere can boost your ideas.
TAKING BREAKS FOR YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Living and breathing for hours on end to get your book completed can cause eye strain, muscle soreness; and believe it or not, the shakes. Sitting in front of a computer can add ten or more pounds on writers. All those snacks that keep us happy while we type away can settle on our waist or other "unwelcome areas." Try to make a habit of taking breaks every few hours; not just for mental relaxation, but for a physical one. Take a walk, do floor exercises or do stretches before and after you write. Rotate your shoulders back and forth to loosen the muscles.These steps may seem silly to you, but they will help you keep a clear mind and a healthy body.
KEEPING ALL RECEIPTS
If you are starting on your book, please keep this very important message in mind. From day one, keep all receipts for things you spend money on to produced and promote your book. No bill is too small. I'm talking about pencils, paper, computers, printers, scanners, copy and fax machines, stamps, photos of yourself, envelopes, paper clips, books you buy or hi-liters.
When traveling to promote your book, keep the receipts for gas, motels, food, posters, bookmarks, pictures, gifts to editors, managers to bookstores, correspondents to newspapers or talk shows.
Remember to record "free" books to family, editors, interviewers, managers of bookstores and their corporate office. You're losing money in sales so keep track of it for your tax purposes. Claim everything you can think of when doing any transactions with your book.
Get any container that works for you to store all your receipts in. It can even be a shoe box. Don't worry about keeping them organized. The important thing is to have them. Set-up a separate spreadsheet file in your computer to log all your spending, purchases and royalties when they come in. When you list them, put a check mark on the receipt so it's noted that the transaction has been recorded.
Keep track of it daily. It's never too early to get organized. The sooner you do, the easier things will be when you're looking for answers with the financial part of your writing.
When tax time comes, you will have everything itemized. It will helps you to know what you are spending. Check with the person doing your taxes for advice on what to claim and what to hold back. Think twice before you want to claim your office as a business. The professionals will give you answers to this. You don't have to wait for tax time to consult your accountant.
EMAILS
Checking your emails too early in the day can take hours away from your writing. I still fall into this trap. Maybe I'm too curious about who's sending me what or I'm waiting for a reply from someone. Many authors find it time consuming to read their mail before 3pm. Their whole morning is taken away from writing. Going into your mailbox only tempts you to read, answer and write the emails you have forgotten about for weeks. The next think you know it's time for lunch. If you work and get home after 5pm, follow the same rule or your book will be pushed aside. Spend at least a half hour straight on it with no interruptions.
WRITER'S GROUPS
I highly recommend at the beginning of your writing to find a writer's group to join. Most bookstores have them, and if not, they will be able to find a location where they are held. Don't wait until your story has been completed. These groups are wonderful for support in your writing. Ideas fly around the group on where you can improve, how to make your characters come alive, what might work better than what you are doing or they may point out something that isn't important to your story.
Get all the help you can in your writing. That's how you grow in becoming a professional writer. Don't depend on yourself by thinking you know it all. We learn by hearing the mistakes other authors have made. Their bad experiences can save us time and frustration. Getting to know other authors can open doors for you in the publishing field.
No matter what it takes, you need to get yourself know in the public eye. Go to book readings, conferences or media functions dealing with radio or newspaper speakers. Introduce yourself and your book and ask for any promotion that they can give you. Be forward and yet professional in your manner. Have business cards, bookmarks or a few books on hand to offer them with your email address. Start a website right away. Authors are taken more seriously when they have one.
Good Luck on your adventure and "never" give up.
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