Constructing your book can be both painful and rewarding.
It helps if you can look at what you are putting together in a new way… to not be afraid of the imperfections you’ll find as you go through your first draft with a fine tooth comb.
I’m discovering the painful struggle but also the rewards of rewriting my second historical romance book right now. And, I also have an encouraging editor who helps me understand what needs to be changed and why:)
Laying the foundation for your book means understanding what needs to happen to make your book the best it can be.
When you are constructing your book, you are laying the support beams for what you are writing with each step you take along the way.
So, in order to do that, there are 7 keys that are helpful to remember as you write, edit and prepare to self-publish your book.
*Photo created with Canva
7 Keys to Keep in Mind as You Write Your Book
It’s really helpful if you can start out in the planning stages of your book, with a good idea of what steps are needed to make your book the best it can be.
Here are 7 keys to keep in mind as you write your book.
1.Understand what draft you are writing at the time. When you are writing the first draft, this is when you are telling the story to get it all down on paper. First draft is where you write what you want to say. Second draft is where you are looking to fix details but it’s also where you are noticing what works well. Second draft is where you say what you really mean. Third draft is where you are fine-tuning points to make your story clear and to make your language shine. Third draft is when you say it well.
2.Repeated characters and an exciting plot form the basis for your story. As you write your tale, if you have a character, place or object that only shows up once, it won’t be meaningful to your story. When these different pieces show up again and again – and they change – readers are enthusiastic to follow the string of events as it takes them up and down the roller coaster of their emotions.
3.Each scene should be able to stand on its own. As you are rewriting and editing, it’s important in the beginning stages to carefully look at each chapter/scene. And… here’s the tough part… to cut out the parts that don’t move the scene/story forward. Each scene needs to be able to stand on its own. This is the best way to figure out what needs to stay and what needs to go – or how you can say it better.
4.Successful revision means creating limitations. Here’s the thing I’ve been noticing as I’ve been rewriting: if you can live without a scene, then there’s no reason to keep it in your story. It’s not fun cutting out things at the best of times, but limiting what you allow in your book, will make your story better. Knowing and really understanding your story’s theme, is a tremendous help when you need to set limits on your character, the action and everything else you are thinking of adding to your story.
5.Your book is only about one thing. You need to believe in the power of your book’s theme. Believe in your theme to the point that you’re willing to do battle with it – for as many drafts as it takes until your story flows well and your theme shines with amazing clarity.
6.Always have an unanswered question until you write the end. As you write your book, it’s good to stagger new details of your character arc and plot. Not every event of character or plot needs to show up at the beginning of your book. You’ll create more curiosity when you leave unanswered questions for your readers to try to figure out.
7.Let your book go and write another. As a writer, every time I publish a book and put it out into the world, I struggle with fear of some kind. I have to slay the dragon of resistance as Steven Pressfield calls it, and just let the book go. But that’s what we do. As authors – especially if you want to make a living with your writing – it’s important to pour your heart into your story, polish it up and then… let it go. You can’t go through life writing the same book. Know when your book has been edited and revised enough so you can put it out into the world. Then you can work on your next book… which is very exciting!
The biggest learning curve for me right now, is how to write scenes that really work and add to the whole story. And I’m realizing more and more how important it is to believe deeply in your story’s theme and to make that resonate throughout your book.
What are some keys you use in constructing your book? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments – we can learn from each other 🙂
*Photo created with Canva
