Writing a Book: Getting Started

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The greatest, most important accomplishment a writer can ever accomplish is writing your first book. In fact, many writers liken the process of completing a manuscript to that of raising a child. The process of writing a book entails different dynamics; and as a writer, you need to be prepared to take on these.

Writing a book requires creativity, determination and focus, no matter what genre you are writing. This major undertaking usually starts with coming up with what to write about. You cannot worry about how your book will come out if you do not even know what to begin it with. By having a specific story or coming up with a compelling idea, you can start your journey to the writing process.

Many writers find the preliminary part to be the most difficult. If you find yourself in this quandary, here are some ways to help you get started.

Take notes. When an idea or inspiration about your book comes to mind, jot it down. Do not let these ideas simply zip you by. These greatly help you start to write and are very useful when putting your book together.

Research. It always helps. If you are writing non-fiction, you will always need facts to support your story even if your subject is about someone else. Research can help you go along as you write your book as well. By careful and thorough research, you are a better able to tell a story the best way possible.

Moreover, research is also essential to fiction writing as it is to non-fiction writing as well. Say you are writing about your character in a specific location. You need to clue the reader in on descriptive details, which is, what the reader essentially wants. By carefully researching the place you are writing about, you not only set the mood to your story – you add depth as well.

Once you will have gathered altogether your notes and ideas as well as done proper research, then you are all systems go with writing your book. Whether you prefer to do it electronically, the traditional manual fashion or both, it’s all up to you. What’s important is that you get started. More often than not, you will find yourself going once you have begun writing. This explains why the ‘getting started’ part is important. The key here is not to let anything get in your way.

Find time to write. The most important thing for any writer to successfully write his/her book is to always set aside time to write, no matter how busy your schedule is. Find time to write every week, best everyday. This increases your productivity and allows you to focus completely on your book and make more progress.

Learn how to get your book published. Receive your FREE book publishing guide.

Start 2010 right: Publish your book

Start the new year with a bang. Here's a chance to save up to $12,000 when you publish your book this month.

Xlibris is having a special offer this January for aspiring authors who want to see their book come to life.

Enjoy huge savings of up to $12,000 or a free upgrade on your publishing package. What's more, you get 10 books for FREE if you publish before January 16. With these fantastic offers, What better way to start the year right than to publish a book this month?

Read here to learn about how to get started or receive your FREE book publishing guide.

Should you Self-publish?

There is a certain stigma that comes with self-publishing, the term being branded as vanity publishing. However, a deeper understanding of how publishing works can help you know what truly is in store for you in terms of self-publishing.

Many aspiring authors who have grown tired of trying to get an agent, let alone get their book published. With so many authors, a mountain of manuscripts and limited shelf-space, these authors have taken things into their own hands, going en-route self-publishing.

According to Bowker, the agency that assigns ISBNs and publishes the Books in Print database, self-published books have outnumbered traditional titles in production last year.

Self-publishing, just like traditional publishing, is not for everyone. However, it can be right for you. If you find yourself in any of these situations, then self-publishing just might work to your advantage:

• You know that your book has real potential but find it difficult to get an agent or a publisher.

• You are a professional (business entrepreneur, public speaker, church leader, etc) who wants to publish a book that will cater to your prospective audience or target audience.

• You do not seek fame and fortune. You only want to have something special to give to your loved ones.

• You want to get full creative control of your book’s entire creative process. Since it is your book, you want to want to be in complete charge.

• You have given up on rejection letters and simply want to get your book published.

Publishing power does not all have to be in the hands of major publishers – it belongs to the author. Moreover, major publishers just cannot see the next bestseller when they see one.

Self-publishing provides an opportunity for aspiring authors to not just launch their writing careers, but truly fulfill their dream of getting published.

Start your publishing journey. Receive your FREE publishing guide.

When asked about Publishing

In an episode of the hit game show Jeopardy, Alex Trebek asks a question under Publishing category:

Question: Xlibris is a P.O.D. service. POD, a do-it-yourself method, stands for?

Answer: POD stands for Print-on-Demand.

Unfortunately, none of the players got the answer right. Wow, I surmise I could have been $1200 richer with that question. Who would have thought?

Interested to know more about POD? Read about it here.

Awesome Publishing Offer this November

Are you working on a book? Grab this juicy promo. Get 50% off on all book publishing services when you publish this November.

Xlibris offers a wide-array of publishing services that match every writer’s needs. And with a 50% publishing price slash, this makes for a perfect holiday gift not only for aspiring authors but to others who want to publish a book.

Get your book published and take advantage of this offer now!

Christmas indeed comes early in November. Read all about it here or get a FREE publishing kit to learn about Xlibris' services.

Debunking Self-publishing myths

MYTH: Anyone can self-publish.
FACT: Self-publishing, just like traditional publishing, is not for everyone.

It is only for those who:

• Have a strong conviction that their book is worthy of publishing.

• Have not given up by rejections from agents and traditional publishers.

• Have the tenacity and determination to reach for their goal.

• Have a deep understanding that although publishing is never an easy task, anything is possible if you put your heart into it.

Self-publishing is only for people who believe in making things happen.

Publishing a book is like starting a business. You determine what you want, work on it and create a marketing plan. More importantly, you take risks.

MYTH: Self-published books are inferior and hardly ever sell.

FACT: Sales figures are not the complete and exact measure of a book’s quality.

Many traditionally published authors laugh at their self-pubbed counterparts or those who plan on taking the self-publishing route, thinking that self-published books are poor. However, not all traditionally published books are good either. Many are a waste of ink and paper but have gotten away with it because they had greater selling potential.

Publishing is a business. Self-publishing is a business. Traditional publishing, no matter how superior many people think it seems, is still a business. And they have no business dealing with a book that doesn’t sell at all.

MYTH: Self-publishing is vanity publishing.

FACT: Self-publishing is NOT vanity publishing.

Self-publishing allows you full creative control of your work; vanity publishers do the work on your behalf. Vanity publishing is designed in that you pay to publish a massive number of books and then leave you to market all of them on your own. Self-publishing prints books only on demand. This is otherwise known as print-on-demand (POD) – books are printed only when they’re ordered. This way, you will not end up with a pile of books collecting dust in your garage. Self-publishing can help you market your book as well.

MYTH: Paying to publish a book is stupidity.

FACT: Putting your dream of publishing a book just by luck does not, and will not happen.

You don’t put all your hopes and and dreams of getting your book published believing that luck will knock on your door. You don’t pass the time waiting for a chance when you can make it happen.

Self-publishing a book is like running a business. It can bring you sweet success if you put your whole heart to it. Ask any successful self-published author and they’d tell you it’s all about hard work and not being afraid to take risks. Everything you put into may just well be worth it.

The stars to becoming a published author are just within your reach. Receive this FREE book publishing guide and start your own journey to publication.

Success in Publishing Children's Books

After finding success with his first three children’s books, author Howard Shapiro seems to have nowhere to go but up.

Having accomplished his goal of writing characters that adults and kids would be able to relate to in his stories and also achieving self-publishing victory with Hockey Days (Xlibris) Shapiro continues to pursue his love for the written word and the sport of hockey in his new book.

Released in October, Hockey Player for Life has garnered positive responses not only from critics but also from readers. Shapiro relates: "The feedback I have received from folks at the signings, from the hockey blogging community and from the many pro hockey teams who I have had the privilege to work with has been phenomenal and I couldn't be more appreciative and thankful for their collective time and support.”

Reviews for Hockey Player for Life from The Hockey News, New York Sportscene and Pittsburgh Magazine are nothing short of supportive, with critics calling it “a delightful ode to the love of the game”, an “instant classic”, and a “must-read for all soon-to-be hockey stars.”

Shapiro’s success has also reached the Amazon.com Sales Charts for Children’s Books (People & Places Fiction) and Teens Books (School & Sports Fiction), with Hockey Player for Life ranking top 50. The book has also been nominated in the category of Middle Grade Fiction of the Cybils Award, which is selected by a talented panel of children's and young adult book bloggers.

All these indicate not only the quality of Shapiro’s latest work of sports fiction but also his success as a writer and independent book author.

You, too, can achieve publishing success just like Howard Shapiro. Start your own publishing journey by receiving this FREE publishing guide.