I have been dreaming of writing a book, well many books since I started blogging in 2016. The genre is non-fiction of course. I have dreamt. And Dreamt. But, I have never started.
I love blogging for the instant feedback you get.
I am not the best writer, editor, or reader. I get too excited to hit publish and have it out in the world.
I have dreamt and dreamt. But, something always held me back, fear, worry, not good enough. Oh my mind – will you just let me get on with writing the first draft; at least start the process!
Finally I have decided I will just write my first draft in the month of July 2020 (as part of camp NaNoWriMo). I have a few ideas for the book.
I will write it out long hand, as I have no clue of structure. I have a few topic headings but no meat on the bones.
Is part of writing a first draft – research? It feels to me, it has to be for me. As I don’t have enough ideas in my head to fill out the topic headings.
Do I call it a first draft? Or a first discovery draft? Does it even matter?
I feel that I just need to write the first draft. The book may never get published, it may lead to other ideas for books. Or it might get published (self published). But, if I don’t start; I will never start and I will never know.
I looked up some articles on outlining for non-fiction (click here), and on first drafts. Two articles said, there will be jewels in the draft (click here), there will be usable bits. But, I also read that as a writer you gotta write a lot of bad stuff first. This is useful advice to calm the nerves.
As well as my affirmations – I CAN DO THIS. No one will see it but me! I will really get into this and enjoy it. It will be a success.
Most of you, my dear blogger friends are accomplished published authors of either one or several books. Oh gosh, how did you do it? I am so nervous. I feel the book idea is a flop already and it has been covered better by others. And I have talked about it in my blog.
I would be so grateful to you for any advise you can give me. As this my first ever book, my first every draft.
Here is my notebook (from Sainsbury’s) for my first draft.
I think the way I am going to attack this is, to do the research and write at the same time. This is how I attacked my University project (20+ years ago). Is this even a first draft or just plain brainstorming. Whatever, it is, it is a start.
Goal is by End of July 2020 I want a rough/ first draft written. Then I can work on a decent first draft, etc.
Below is my Index of what I have done so far.
See I have a section called ” Hopes, Worries , Fears of writing this book”. Oh my I need a place to write out what I feel, so I thought I would capture it in the same notebook.
I must say I rather like my notebook from Sainsbury’s. And I am glad I have decided to write old school pen and paper. I think a blank word document would be not be the right tool at this stage. Old school feels comfortable.
I would be so grateful to those of you who have done this before to give me some advise. Oh I need it. I am also going to write weekly-ish updates, so I stay accountable to you all. Initially, I was not going to write a blog post on this, and just get on with it quietly. But, I need your support. And I need some accountability. I am not bother by word count. I am more interested in content, ideas and the message. Let me know if the idea is a good one or should I think of something else.
The message, you guessed it is ” Thoughts and Life” how they impact our life and the easy ways to win.
So wish me luck. Thank you in advance
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The important thing is to just start. And it sounds like you’ve already done that!
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Thank you. I think the struggle is going to be to keep on going, even though I have started.
Have you written books? Any other advice?
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I self-published a book earlier this year. I blogged my experience… maybe that will be of some interest?
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Oh wow. Well done. Thank you. This will be so helpful.
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HI Bella, I have written a number of non-fiction books and I always plan my theme and where I am expecting to land with my book and research. The outcome may change but the idea of what I am demonstrating to the world does not. I research as I go along.
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Oh this is so useful. I like how you say Land with book and research. Can you explain further on both.
I think my landing is a bit. well it is there but, not sure it is solid. Or I am overly nervous.
What are the names of your none fiction books?
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Thank you
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I agree, the best thing is to start and simply call it your first draft, without the negative adjectives! Wishing you happy writing xxx
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Thank you. I will cross off the negative adjectives.
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Awesome! 🤗💖 xxx
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I removed the adjective from this post, and crossed it off in my notebook. I should know better, when I keep talking about positivity. When I deleted that word, it made a difference. Lol on me. And thank you for setting me straight.
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You’re very welcome Bella! 🤗💖 xxx
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Write any fiction story that comes to your creative mind, Bella and the words will then flow. You have already started beautifully and yes nice to see and take hints how people are writing. With me my Poetry book got published but as to short stories that is yet to be published though have written quite a few stories which are with me stored in my computer.
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Thank you. I am struggling with my non-fiction idea, but I have just started. I am hoping it will come together in the end as a beautiful and helpful book
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Yes of course must give it a try. You will definitely succeed in your endeavors. You are always welcome dear, Bella
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Thank you. I look forward to your second book
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You are always welcome dear Bella. For sure but will take sometime because of the covid. 👌👌👌👌👌You start what you like to write
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This is so wonderful! Go for it! Have you read ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott? If not, you should! It’s perfect for this phase you are now.
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Thank you. I seen bird by bird quotes in many an article
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Brilliant. I am so glad to read you are taking the first steps. Once you start writing, your book might transform in ways you don’t expect. I made the mistake of editing every chapter along the way. However, if I was writing another book, I would just write a first draft then edit at the end.
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Thank you Brigid for this great insight and support. I don’t think I will edit at all because it is a hot mess of ideas, and no proper outline as it stands right now. I am hoping all the stuff I do now at draft zero, will spark the natural outline for the first draft, and edits and the rest of it all flows, after that- I hope🤔🧐🥴
I will reach out to you on email as per our earlier conversations earlier this year, if that is still okay.
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That is grand Bella. I know you can do it. Looking forward to email.
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😉
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Good luck with this!
I too can relate my intention when I started the site was having a book to accompany but call it procrastinating, perfectionism I’ve found it difficult to execute.
I have a few bits of part books kicking around that I’ve then abandoned…
I’m determined to get something done this year, I’ve decided to start with a short book (max 10,000 words) and just focus on getting ideas on the page then worry about editing.
I like your approach with the notepad, I find looking at words with thousands of words overwhelming!
Wishing you all the best with this. Hopefully we’ll both come out with something!
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Thanks James. I want to do this in this year. I have no word count. And it will be a short book too. I have lots of random bits in the notebook. Research is taking sometime. I think will have several drafts before I even edit.
I want to do this.
May be can be writing buddies, to inspire each one a long?
I started well. But my health is playing up so haven’t done too much the last two days
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That sounds great!
I wouldn’t worry too much about bad days, focus on what you can do over the week/month – with children/blog commitments sometime I feel like I’m not getting book writing time.
Hope you are feeling better.
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Thank you. Yes, you have many commitments to juggle.
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Since you love blogging for the ‘Instant feedback’, you can use apps where you can publish one chapter at a time and get feedback for your book.
There are many such apps available, Inkit, Wattpad to name a few.
I say this because I share your passion to write.
I hope it helps!
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Thank you for the info.
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