"They" say There is a Book Inside Everyone, What do you Think?
This is what I think.
Almost every one thinks they should write a book.
Some people think their own lives have been so fascinating everyone would love to read a book about them.
The reality is there are only a few people whose lives have been fascinating enough for a book to be written about them. And even some of these don't have what it takes to write a book.
Unfortunately, nowadays most anyone can get published thanks to Amazon and other places that will help folks get published for free or pay. I say unfortunately because too many writers go this route who haven't learned what needs to be done to write a book.
First, anyone wanting to write needs to be a reader. It helps if the writer has a clue about what constitutes a paragraph, how a page of a books should look, simple grammar and punctuation, how to develop a plot, a beginning, middle and ending, what dialogue is all about, what it should do, the balance between action, dialogue and narrative, the importance of the setting, how to name characters.
How does a writer learn all these things?
Besides reading, the person who wants to write should be reading books on how to write, attending writers' conferences, joining a critique group, learning as much as he or she can about writing.
And then putting one's fanny in the chair and writing.
Once the writing is done, the book needs to be edited. First, by the author, going over it carefully looking for errors and inconsistencies. Second by an editor or beta reader--not a relative unless they are a professional editor. This might have to happen more than once.
One of my books went through this whole process, ARCs were made and sent out. One reader found mistakes that I and the editor and publisher had missed.
And one more comment. Not everyone has what it takes to spend the hours doing all this. It means a lot of sitting in front of a computer.
So what do you think? Am I right or not?
Marilyn
Almost every one thinks they should write a book.
Some people think their own lives have been so fascinating everyone would love to read a book about them.
The reality is there are only a few people whose lives have been fascinating enough for a book to be written about them. And even some of these don't have what it takes to write a book.
Unfortunately, nowadays most anyone can get published thanks to Amazon and other places that will help folks get published for free or pay. I say unfortunately because too many writers go this route who haven't learned what needs to be done to write a book.
First, anyone wanting to write needs to be a reader. It helps if the writer has a clue about what constitutes a paragraph, how a page of a books should look, simple grammar and punctuation, how to develop a plot, a beginning, middle and ending, what dialogue is all about, what it should do, the balance between action, dialogue and narrative, the importance of the setting, how to name characters.
How does a writer learn all these things?
Besides reading, the person who wants to write should be reading books on how to write, attending writers' conferences, joining a critique group, learning as much as he or she can about writing.
And then putting one's fanny in the chair and writing.
Once the writing is done, the book needs to be edited. First, by the author, going over it carefully looking for errors and inconsistencies. Second by an editor or beta reader--not a relative unless they are a professional editor. This might have to happen more than once.
One of my books went through this whole process, ARCs were made and sent out. One reader found mistakes that I and the editor and publisher had missed.
And one more comment. Not everyone has what it takes to spend the hours doing all this. It means a lot of sitting in front of a computer.
So what do you think? Am I right or not?
Marilyn
Comments
You (and Susan) have said it all and I completely agree. What's interesting to me is that 99% of the people, who say they want to write a book, won't! And it's probably just as well. :)
Sorry for such a long comment. Means wrote an excellent post!
Madeline
JL Greger