Tips On Writing A Book

Here are some simple tips on writing a book that will make your writing clearer and much easier to read and understand.

(1) Take the time to organize your thoughts before you get started writing. Creating an outline is the #1 thing that I recommend if you want to get your book written more quickly. I often tell students that my first book, for which I did not create an outline, took 5 years to complete. My second book, for which I DID create an outline, took only 5 weeks.

(2) If you’re writing for a general audience, it is best to write at the 6-7 grade level. One of the bestsellers of all time, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, was written at the seventh grade level. My books are written at a 6-8 grade level. Unless you are writing a PhD dissertation or some highly technical book, it’s best to leave out jargon that most readers will not understand.

(3) Use short sentences. Don’t let your sentence run on for three or four lines (there are exceptions, of course). If the sentences are too long, your reader will tend to get lost.

(4) Use short paragraphs. Don’t let your paragraphs take up the entire page. Shorter paragraphs are always easier on the eyes and easier to read. Again, of necessity, there are exceptions.

(5) Vary the length of your chapters. Not too long, not too short. If you estimate that an average chapter should run about 10 pages, then some could be 8 pages while others could go up to 14 pages — but not usually 3 pages or 24 pages.

(6) Use simple words to express your thoughts. Sometimes simpler words make for better flow and clearer understanding.

(7) Contrary to what you’ve been taught in your grammar lessons, it’s fine to start sentences with “and” and “but” and certain “unacceptable” sentence starters. Don’t worry so much about using proper grammar that you never get your book written. Just use your best judgment and you’ll be fine.

(8) Before you send your book to any printer, make absolutely sure that it has been edited. Try not to do the final editing of your own work. No matter how good you are, you’ll still pass over errors that a good editor would spot right away. Having a second set of eyes in the editing process is another of my most important tips on writing a book.

(9) Write with passion and integrity, and approach your writing with excitement and energy. For some reason, a part of your energy is conveyed in your words, written or spoken. No one seems to know exactly how it happens, but it does.

(10) Experiment with alternate ways of writing your book. One of my favorites is to dictate my “writing” and make a recording of it to be transcribed later. This is a great way to get over writers block and start your creative juices flowing again.

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