The Myth of One Size Fits All:

extThe idea of a one-size-fits-all approach to writing a book is a myth. Writing is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and what works for one author may not resonate with another. Some writers swear by meticulous outlines and detailed planning, while others thrive on spontaneity and discovery during the writing process. The key is to find an approach that aligns with your own strengths, preferences, and creative instincts.

The Planner vs. Pantser Debate:

One of the constant arguments in the writing community revolves around the planner-versus-pantser dichotomy. Planners meticulously outline their novels, charting every plot twist and character arc before they write a single word. On the other hand, Pantsers (writing by the seat of their pants) dive headfirst into the writing process with no clear plan in place, allowing the story unfold naturally.

While both techniques have their advantages, there is no universal answer. Some authors may find comfort in the structure of planning, while others may discover hidden gems in the uncharted territories of pantsing. In reality, many authors fall somewhere in between the two extremes, blending planning and spontaneity to suit their individual needs.

Finding Your Writing Ritual:

Another aspect to consider is the role of rituals in the writing process. Some authors swear by a specific routine or environment, claiming it enhances their creativity and focus. Whether it’s writing at a particular time of day, in a cozy corner of a coffee shop, or surrounded by inspirational quotes, these rituals can serve as a source of motivation and consistency. However, it’s essential to recognize that what works for one writer may not work for another, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery in the writing journey.

The Iterative Nature of Writing:

Writing is an iterative process. Rarely does a first draft emerge as a polished masterpiece. Revisions, edits, and feedback play crucial roles in refining and enhancing the manuscript. Embracing the iterative nature of writing allows authors to grow and evolve, transforming initial ideas into a fully realized work of art.

In the quest to discover the best way to write a book, authors must navigate a landscape as diverse as the stories they wish to tell. While advice from seasoned authors, writing workshops, and guides can offer valuable insights, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The key lies in understanding your o wn creative process, experimenting with different methods, and embracing the unique journey that unfolds as you bring your story to life. Ultimately, the best way to write a book is the way that allows you to express your creativity authentically and passionately.

Very tempting, but please stay strong. Once you give up, you truly fail. Success stems from determination and the decision to persevere in the face of adversity. Many people believe that life is unfair, but when they achieve success, they understand that their mistakes and disappointments molded them for the better.

As the famous author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling said, “Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something. Unless you have lived cautiously, you might not have failed at all, but in which case, you might have failed by default. Failure taught me better things about my own self.”

So, take a deep breath and ponder. Consider these thoughts that some of the greatest people we know have kept in mind when they felt like giving up.

“Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
– Winston Churchill

Many people consider Winston Churchill as one of the greatest leaders of all time who led Britain to victory in WWII. His speeches during those years of war always contained a message that encourages everyone to never ever give up.

If your mind can conceive it, then it is possible! And if you could think about it tirelessly, you would most likely be able to achieve it. Don’t throw out the chance that you might be able to achieve what you are dreaming of.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
– Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison has been famous for his inventions such as the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the telephone, but did you know that he experienced hundreds of failures and spent a thousand times trying before he succeeded? And he said that through those times, he had also learned a thousand different lessons.

Just one more time. Everything can change in a moment. If you don’t succeed today, then you might tomorrow. However, if you stop now, you might miss that chance. Think about it.

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
– Dale Carnegie

It felt amazing to finally reap the benefits of all your hard work and sacrifices in order to attain your goals. But do you know what’s more fulfilling? To see the expressions on the faces of those who mocked you and told you that you couldn’t do it.

So, how long do you think I should try? You may ask.Until you succeed.

Until you show them that you can.

Until you prove yourself that you are capable of greater things.

“You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can’t, you do the next best thing. You back up but you don’t give up.”
– Chuck Yeager

Give up only if it’s not worth your sacrifices anymore, then do the next best thing. This is the good side of giving up. When you are letting go of one thing for the better. It is also important to determine that you are fighting for the right thing, for the one that you really wanted, for the one that you won’t regret failing and fighting over and over again. Because in the end, you know that it’s the one that you truly deserve.

Pre-writing

Pre-writing includes writing down notes, researching about your topic, deciding on characters and roles, planning and plotting your story’s outline, and many things that involve brainstorming.

This could be as easy as going with the abundant flow of your thoughts, as complicated as narrowing down a big idea or as challenging as finding a new concept for your next story. With the latter, you might find yourself spending agonizing hours just staring at a blank document on your computer’s screen.

Remember Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s quote, “Begin with the end in mind.”

You must have a clear purpose. Identify your goals. For whom am I writing this? What am I trying to achieve with this writing? What do I want my readers to take from my story? What will be its genre? What details do I need to look for and learn in order to achieve its goals? Create a plan on how you wanted your story to flow. It will serve as your blueprint.

Drafting

Let your imagination run free on paper. Following a process does not need you to be rigorous with rules and routines. Do not worry about being messy or imperfect.

The point of drafting, particularly a rough draft, is to write down all your ideas and thoughts so that you can review or revise it later. Jot down all the information and viewpoints that you have acquired, see if all the ideas seem reasonable or if they align with your goals, flesh them out and determine whether they require additional research or need to reconsider topics.

The first draft often contains bullets, phrases, unfinished paragraphs, a lot of erasures (if you’re writing with pen and paper), and grammatical errors. It’s okay; these can be corrected on the second draft and the next drafts, as many as you need to refine and polish your writing until you have a smooth final piece. The final draft should be as close as possible to your professional representation.

Rewriting

This is the most painful part because, if needed, you might cut out a big chunk of your writing. For some, it could feel like your baby has been taken away from you. I’ve heard many authors say that.

Rewriting goes with revision, more on the subjective part. Review your writing and see if the paragraphs show coherence, take out a sentence if it feels out of place, take or replace a part if it doesn’t sound right, and most importantly, check if it corresponds with the goals, you have set since you started.

Look at the blueprint you have designed at the beginning; does your writing answer them?

Editing

Editing also involves proofreading. You will go line by line and paragraph by paragraph, checking for grammatical errors, punctuation, indentions, spacing, spelling, and such. This is the final polishing stage, in which you ensure that everything is clear and free of errors.

Some authors or writers ask a beta reader or a professional editor during this process to make sure that their work is ready to be published.

Good writing can be extremely captivating and beneficial to its readers. The importance of following a writing process for the work you intend to publish—whether a book, a novel, or a story—is to assure its quality, clarity, and readability. It will also help you in mastering your craft.