No one can guarantee that a book will become a best seller but there are several strategies to increase a writer’s chance. Writing is a way for someone to present their inner thoughts to the outside world. Sometimes these thoughts have a profound impact on the reader who then wishes to share their experience with others. By word of mouth and effective marketing a book can become a worldwide best seller.
There are many facets to writing a successful book. The type of book can also help determine the efforts that must be concentrated on. A storytelling book might be a labor of love that hopefully is noticed by an established gatekeeper like an agent or be based upon a previously successful business which is condensed into a book format. Each specific book will have a unique set of requirements to ensure viability. Both these books and every type in between can use the general ideas presented below to help the book have a better chance of success.
1. Goals
Creating a mental image of the finished product can help focus ones efforts in the writing process. This can be aided by creating a general outline for the book. Even formulating the tagline that you could expect to see on the books cover can help. This is a writer’s pitch to the potential reader. It should encapsulate the key element that the writer hopes to convey to the reader. This also will help when approaching agents or marketing it themselves to generate interest in the book. Having these goals in place before writing can serve as a general overview for where the writer needs focus.
2. Criticism
A writer must decide if they plan on completely finishing the work before sharing with others or at regular intervals. No matter what, the writer needs to receive a trusted reader’s advice with an open mind. If the writer is completing their first book they need to find people who can give constructive criticism that will tighten the story being told. Contacting and having these readers in place before writing can help a writer get immediate feedback. These readers can help a writer avoid wasting time and going down a path that is not strengthening their book.
3. Distractions
Some writers find in today’s world there are too many digital distractions that can impede their writing. They must willfully choose to unplug and distance themselves from things like their smartphone which might cause them to lose focus. If online research is required they should do that as a separate activity from the time they actually sit down to write out the book. By walling off their writing and researching times they will not be tempted to get off track by digital distractions.
4. Voice
If the book deals with fiction or a personal narrative the writer can create a set list of characters before beginning. Instead of completely planning the entire story some writers might find it useful to leave the last third of the book story open ended. This space allows the writer to find an appropriate conclusion based upon what naturally was produced as they developed their characters earlier in the story. Using writing imagination can find that a character develops differently than what was expected at the beginning. Having an open ending can produce a more authentic conclusion based upon what previously has happened in the story.
5. Daily Writing
Getting an overall idea for a book might come quickly but the labor to put it on paper can seem daunting for some writers. Establishing a daily habit of writing can help stimulate the writers mind. Conditioning themselves to daily writing will help them keep focused. Even if the writer doesn’t feel inspired on a certain day they should write anything for a set time period to keep themselves in the working mindset.
6. Reading
Finding inspiration from others can be another useful tool to create better work. Writers in academia can find and read other bestselling books before the college semester begins. Instead of reading subjects similarly themed in their work the writer should find authors with writing styles they aspire to, no matter what the content. Getting ideas for tone or structure from these other author sources can be applied to their current work efforts.
Writers who want a chance of producing a widely read book need several skills. They need to have a great idea for a story and get it out of their mind into the real world. They also must establish practices to efficiently do this while still staying inspired. By reviewing the tips above a writer can see where they can begin their first steps towards writing a best seller.
Kerry Creaswood is a young and ambitious writer from Savannah, GA. She is interested in self-development, design and marketing. To find more about Kerry – check her Twitter