How to Write a Book This Year (by Ed Cyzewski)
Yesterday I linked a series of posts by Ed Cyzewski. Today’s guest post was written by Ed. I didn’t plan it that way, it just sort of worked out. For those of you unfamiliar with him, Ed Cyzewski is a freelance writer in Connecticut of all places. He is the author of Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life, and he blogs on Christian living and theology at www.inamirrordimly.com and on writing at www.edcyz.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @edcyzewski.
He’s also written a book about writing and publishing, and he’s been kind enough to share some of his insights on my blog today. Here’s Ed:
How to Write a Book This Year
After the streamers are cleaned up and you’ve discovered that flat champagne doesn’t do much for orange juice in the morning, you’ll have a new year on your hands come January first along with that nagging thought at the back of your mind: Is this the year to write that book?
Perhaps you’ve been toying with it for years. Maybe you have it outlined but haven’t dared to start writing. And then again, it may be your dark secret.
I may be biased because I write for a living, but I think that now is the perfect time to start writing that book. In fact, why not make it your resolution for the new year? Whether you self-publish, target a small press, or take the plunge by submitting your book to an agent, here are some tips on tackling that book project in 2011 and persevering to the end.
Manage Your Expectations
Don’t expect a New York Times bestseller to tap its way onto your keyboard the first time you sit down to write. Writing is a process that requires a series of drafts. Just focus on defining your book’s main idea/story line, creating a simple outline, and then starting with what you can.
You may imagine scowling literary agents or have visions of huge advance checks dancing into your bank account. Neither is typical for the majority of writers. Just make sure you love what you’re writing and remain open to whatever good things come as your book develops.
Set Realistic Goals
Every writing project requires small, manageable goals, and this is especially true for a book. Whether you’re writing a 50,000 word nonfiction book or a 100,000 word novel, plan to write for set periods of time with specific word count goals.
If you have a day job, aim for 500-1,000 words during weekdays, and then set a more ambitious goal for one of the days during the weekend, such as 3,000 to 5,000 words. Without setting too furious a pace, you’ll be able to pound out a complete first draft in a few months or at least by the time December 2011 rolls around.
Create New Routines
The key to sustaining a high creative output is determining when and where you write the best. If you can’t find a quiet corner at your home, seek out a library where you can focus.
In my own case, I need to leave the house early in the morning and stake out a spot in a cafe where I can sit among other creative types. The noise of the crowd serves as a welcome backdrop.
Though there are a few exceptions, most writers work best in the morning or evening, but rarely in the afternoon. Unless you’re one of the exceptions, avoid this creative black hole at all costs.
Seek Accountability
While writing is generally a lonely pursuit where you and you alone are responsible for shaping your story, there is nothing more motivating than a writing group. When you need to share with others, you’ll be far more likely to persevere through dry spells, even if each sentence isn’t coming out perfect.
However, there is another option, especially for nonfiction authors: blogging on a regular basis. Most books pass through a number of revisions, if not major overhauls before they are published. A blog is a great place where you can develop your voice, learn to write for a specific audience, test ideas, and find the accountability you need to write daily.
Edit
The second and third drafts are where you can make your book shine. After finishing your first draft, take a week or two off from working on that particular book. I suggest picking up the latest issue of Writer’s Digest or a book on how to improve your craft such as Writing Fiction by Gary Disher or On Writing Well by William Zinsser.
When you do sit down to revise your book, ask hard questions about your main ideas, storyline, and characters. Make sure your scenes or main ideas build upon each other so that each new chapter fits with the one preceding it.
Improve your word choice, especially your verbs, and analyze the ways you both begin and end chapters. This is the time to make sure your book doesn’t have any holes that could throw off your readers.
Celebrate Milestones
Whether you’ve completed a first draft, received your first rejection letter from an agent, or inked a book deal, take the time to savor each accomplishment along the way. Writing a book is demanding, but there are few better feelings than typing the last word of a long, long journey.
I could share a lot more about writing a book, and in fact, I did just that. You can read more about publishing in my book: A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book.
“I haven’t seen a single more helpful resource for writers hoping to enter the publishing fray” – Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent, WordServe Literary Group
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Thank you Mr. C for this! You may have helped unleash many a deep dark secrets with your insights.
Do you really think being a blogger helps a person to better author a novel? How does it help if the focus is on a site meter and/or fitting into the normal fold of blog fodder in order to build an audience rather than writing the actual novel? If all I had was a pen and paper I reckon my deep dark secret would be done by now.
And a writing group? Really? Can it be just a group of one? Okay, okay, I need to purchase your book and quit looking for crumbs around the table.
Kathy, thank you for being a grand post host. Or is it a host toaster. Or is it hosted post toaster? Or maybe just a post hole digger, like me. Golly, I think my blood sugar may be low or something…
Blessings.
A Simple Country Girl´s last [type] ..Threadbare
Country Girl,
I think a blog is more important if you’re going into nonfiction. However, a blog has value in that it teaches you how to write daily for an audience and it allows you a space to experiment with various forms and techniques. In addition, the instant feedback is wonderful… well, it can be wonderful.
So while I don’t recommend blogging through your novel, you could experiment with writing short stories on a blog in order to hone your ability write narrative, develop characters, or to paint a scene.
I also wanted to make it abundantly clear that while I’ve had short stories published, the bulk of my experience is in the nonfiction realm and that the subtitle of my book is: “What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book.” So the bulk of my advice is for nonfiction authors, even if some of it does cross over to fiction.
If you need advice on fiction publishing, I believe Kat’s web site has a link to a certain author who wears a cowboy hat…
Thank you–both for the added insight as well as the gentle clarification.
Blessings.
A Simple Country Girl´s last [type] ..Threadbare
Excellent post. Thank you, Kathy, for featuring Ed.
Maureen´s last [type] ..To Break the Hold Poem
Perhaps it’s time to pull out that outline and see where the words lead. Now to find a quiet spot with four kids…. hmmm.
Thank you for this article. I’m adding this book to my must reads for the new year.
Okay — so this is solid advice and really practical and really… there is no excuse is there?
Hmmm, have to dust off my desk, put the DO NOt DISTURB sign back on my office door and get busy!!!
Thanks Kat — and Ed — great ideas here.
Louise´s last [type] ..Terrys Big Day
Great information. Now I’ve just gotta get busy!
V.V. Denman´s last [type] ..What I’m Reading Wednesday- Virtually Free Marketing
Ed,
Nice post and great layout of goals and expectations. Merry Christmas!
I’m a fan of Ed’s work, but more importantly the heart of faith which he writes his words and provides his insight.
Of course, it’s also great, Ed, that you always serve your encouragement brews strong and fresh. You always tell the truth, but with grace and personal story.
Faith Barista Bonnie´s last [type] ..Book Promotion Giveaway – New Leaf Publishing Sponsored Post
Thanks so much, Ed. I love the practical advice. This post will definitely be referenced in the future.
jasonS´s last [type] ..Where’s the Urgency
Thanks for featuring Ed, Kat. Good, meaty stuff here.
Jason´s last [type] ..The Step Live Thursday Night
Thank you for the great insights and thoughts. Never in the afternoon? Interesting!
You’re welcome to try! I’m not saying. I’m just saying…
Thanks everyone for the kind words about this post. I’m so glad to know it is encouraging for so many of you.
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this! I’ve been working on… er… dragging my feet on a piece of non-fiction for quite some time.
Lee Bezotte´s last [type] ..Positioned to be Used
Ed, thank you so much for this. Great practical advice that I can apply immediately. I’m definitely geared toward non-fiction so I may just jump out and pick up your book.
Thanks Kat for hosting Ed. You are the networker supreme of teh Interwebz.
Tony Alicea´s last [type] ..When The Muse Is On Vacation
Could you please put up a post about How Not to Write a Book? There are so many out there that never should have been written. Maybe even one or two of mine… I might need therapy.
Great post! Managing expectations is the part most writers struggle with the most. Ahh well, time to really revise (or throw out…!) that Nanowrimo draft
Eeleen Lee´s last [type] ..How To Slay Toxic Creatures In Your Creative Life
I am actually writing a book in 2011.
Which is to say, that I am pulling the unfinished draft from a novel I wrote in 2006 out of the drawer, and finishing it before March. Then starts the editing process.
(And the draft I finished last month is going in the drawer for another 5 years I think.)
Sharkbait@webmail.co.za´s last [type] ..Outlive your life – Max Lucado