Dear Monsters,
Everybody has a book in them – the proverb says, and you are no exception. Whether you are a creative prolific, or you are a complete rookie to writing, chances are, you have thought about writing a book. Some of you have been dreaming of writing a non-fiction history novel about your family, whilst others are dreaming of authoring a romance novel happening in the world of professional tennis.
Having published my first book “Dear Monsters” a year ago, I am looking back at 12 months of amazing experiences, unexpected rewards, and incredible fulfilment. I remember the moment when “Dear Monsters” first became an Amazon bestseller in categories like Women and Leadership, Leadership and Business and Career Advice for Women. It blew my mind!
I would say, if writing a book has ever crossed your mind, then it is worth doing it. The world needs more books, more inspiring stories, and authors that are New Age Leadership pioneers.
Wherever I go, people are curious to know what it took to write a book, especially for somebody like me, that has a full-time and a very demanding day-job. This time I am summarizing the steps it took to write a book, so in this blog, I am summarizing the 7 key points you need to consider before you take on this mammoth task.
1. Choosing the Perfect Topic:
Every great tale begins with a captivating topic. It’s the beating heart of your story, the pulsating core that drives your narrative forward. In my case, I deeply believe that Monsy, the little Monster that lives inside my head, whispered the idea of “Dear Monsters” into my ear. I had always been fascinated by the idea of the different generations working together and have been interested in reading leadership books since I first started working. Therefore, writing a leadership book to fit the needs of the young generations seemed like a no-brainer to me. So now it is your turn, summon your inner monster and choose a topic that both terrifies and thrills you. Whether it’s a chilling mystery, a haunting romance, or a spine-tingling horror, let your monstrous muse guide you.
2. Research your topic:
This is a step many inspired prospective authors forget to do, which can be detrimental to the reach and success of your book. Once you’ve had your a-ha moment, it is time to start looking into the marketing aspects of it. Are there similar books in the market? If yes, which ones? Have you read them? How have they performed on book sales sites, like Amazon or Barnes and Noble? Who is your target audience? Why would they be interested in purchasing your book? I would recommend writing about what you know, so obviously you would be able to answer some of these questions immediately. But, if you are keen on writing that sci-fi novel, but have only read a handful yourself, I would recommend buying a few bestselling books in your genre and making yourself familiar with the look and feel of the storyline. When you do this, read them like an author, not like a reader. Make note of how the author is guiding you throughout the storyline, how they build the characters and how they build up the tension.
3. Drafting the Chapter Outline:
Wondering when you would finally be able to start writing? Not yet, my friend! With your topic in tow, it’s time to create a roadmap for your literary expedition. Drafting a chapter outline is like setting waypoints for your characters to navigate the treacherous terrain of your plot. Allow your monstrous instincts to guide you through the twists and turns, ensuring a spine-chilling journey for your readers. Some authors like to write and see where the process takes them, but I am convinced in the importance of this step. In the case of “Dear Monsters,” the chapter outline and the characters were familiar to me way before I started writing the book.
4. Starting to Write the Chapters:
Now, the time has come to unleash the hounds of creativity. Don’t be afraid to let your monstrous ideas run wild. Start writing your chapters with fervour, letting the words flow like a river of ink from the pen of the ancient scribes. Embrace the chaos, for in the midst of it, you may find the most unexpected treasures. Some people say you need to write one page a day. I say, don’t bother. If you are a busy professional with a crazy agenda like mine, writing a page a day is just wishful thinking. I used to carve out large chunks of time on weekends or public holidays and spent four or more hours writing. It seemed much easier to get into the flow of writing when I had more time, rather than squeezing it in between my last zoom for the day and dinner with my significant other. A word of caution here, whatever you do, you must remain committed and consistent. I am not saying it will be easy. I am not saying it will be always fun, but you must resist temptations. They will come in different shapes and forms, but mostly it will manifest into missing coffee dates with friends, staying in on a sunny day, or ditching your parents for lunch. This might sound tough, but don’t feel guilty. You are on your journey to greatness, and you need to keep staying focused on your thing.
5. The First Draft:
Congratulations! You’ve survived the initial onslaught of the creative process. The first draft is a monstrous creature in its own right—raw, untamed, and in need of refinement. When I finished my first draft, I do admit I cried a little. I felt relieved and nervous at the same time. The big story about “Dear Monsters” came out of me and took shape in a written form. Give yourself a pat on the back. Celebrate a little. Being the Monster you are, you might think you are done writing your book. Wrong. Let it breathe for a while before you embark on the next stage of this monstrous journey. And don’t forget to enjoy the process. The hard part is ahead of you.
6. The Editing Process:
Prepare to face the beast within your manuscript. Editing is where you tame the wild words, sculpting them into a polished masterpiece. Embrace the darkness as you cut, reshape, and refine. Seek feedback from fellow monsters and let their insights guide you in the quest for literary perfection. Do not take it personally. Feedback is a gift, as long as it comes from people that either are in your target audience or are experienced readers of the genre. The dear people that provided feedback to my first draft are in the “Acknowledgements” section of my book. I am immensely thankful for all the input in the initial stage. And when the comments were included in the draft, it was time to seek professional help. I worked with two editors in the process. The first one was a friend that had written a book and had a lot of knowledge of the editing process. He worked with me in two passes and gave me some tough love and suggested changes in the outline and ideas on how to strengthen the storyline. After that, it was time to get a professional assessment. I got on Reedsy.com and found a professional editor for business and non-fiction books that seemed to be the best fit for me. Working with her was a true delight; she was the ultimate Boss Editor and made my manuscript shine.
7. Publishing:
The time has come to unleash your creation upon the unsuspecting world. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, the act of releasing your book into the wild is a monstrous feat. There are pros and cons to both of these options, enough to create a separate blog post only on this subject. Whatever you decide, the time has come for the world to learn about your story. Embrace the vulnerability, for it takes courage to share your creation with the world.
In conclusion, dear Monsters, writing a book is not for the faint-hearted. It requires courage, creativity, sacrifice, and a touch of madness. Embrace your inner monster, let it guide you through the shadows of your imagination, and watch as your literary creation takes on a life of its own.
May your words be as sharp as fangs, your plot as twisted as a labyrinth, and your characters as haunting as the echoes in a haunted castle.
Monstrously yours,
Helena
