I Want to Write a Book, but ……

“You want to write a book, okay. But what’s your concern?” I inquired.

“I want to write a book, but the thought scares me. I’ve never written anything longer than college and university papers, and I think trying to write anything more than 20 pages is beyond my ability.”

We discussed his interests, background, and vocation. When he told me he was a newspaper reporter, I asked him how long he’d been a journalist.

“Oh, about seven years.”

“How many reports have you written?”

“Oh, 2 or 3 a week; I don’t know, maybe over 800.”

“Okay, here’s an idea. As a journalist, you have to keep your word count down, but you know there’s more to each story. Why don’t you select 75-100 of those reports, rewrite each one, and fill out the story with some of the details you had to cut. That way, you don’t have to think about the daunting challenge of writing an entire book – just a series of very short stories. Putting them together will get you your book. What do you think about that?”

He was elated! He’s been working on it now for about seven months, and we’ll edit it, format it, and get it published several months from now.

How about you? Are you ready to start on your book? Or perhaps you’re ready to get it edited, formatted, and published. Call or email us at P&L Publishing and Literary Services. Use the contact button above, or use this one https://plpubandlit.org/.

And don’t forget to…

Write Creatively.

Tip #3

James Michener read many other author’s writings. Not that he wanted to copy them – not at all. But reading other’s writings helps us establish our literary direction and form our own voice.

Tip #3. “I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.”

Learn to write well. You must study and practice, but be your own person. Develop your own style. Excellent writing normally does not materialize overnight. As one mentor suggested: write – write – write – and keep on writing.

So, go ahead and dream about becoming a famous writer, but invest the time to help you reach your goal. And don’t forget to learn how to …

Write Creatively.

Tip #2

Mr. Michener understood that first drafts are never to be published. He thought, as I do, that it’s easier to correct something already written than it is to write it correctly the first time.

Tip #2. “I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. I’m not a very good writer, but I’m one of the world’s great rewriters.”

So, get your first draft written, and don’t be concern about making it perfect as you write. It’s the rewriting – sometimes rewriting several times – that makes it good. You might need an editor, as Michener did, and P&L has an excellent editor you can call on.

So, set up your plan, start writing, and …

Write Creatively.