Writing Challenge for You!
Posted on September 19, 2011
That’s right. I want to challenge you to write something. Not just anything, but my challenge to you is to write something for you –not for someone else, some other company or some other purpose, but for YOU.
First Stab at It
Take out a pen and paper — okay, you can use your computer — and brain storm about ideas you might use to write a book, ebook or short story for publishing or that you will later submit to a contest. If nothing specific comes quickly to mind, just jot down the first things you see in your office or surroundings. Visit another scene if you have to — a park or a library. Fill the page with random ideas. Insert a table in MS Word if you need more space and insert columns for your ideas.
Keep in mind the following:
- What type of books or stories do you most enjoy reading?
- About which ideas are you most knowledge or desire to be more knowledgeable?
- Is there a topic on which you’ve desired to write but never got around to it?
- Well-covered topics are okay to jot down if you think you can write on them from an unusual or not-yet perceived perspective.
- Don’t limit ideas the first time around — remember, you’re brain-storming!
Once you have all your ideas where you can see and assess them:
- Pick out ten that mean the most to you and make the most sense for your time, interest and resources.
- List them out on a separate piece of paper or Word document, numbering them 1 to 10 in priority — “1” being the most important to you and “10” as the least important.
- Rate highly the ones that stir a passion or sense of a cause in you.
- Consider the ideas for which resources are most readily available.
- Stay away from obscure topics, unless it is a passion and you are somewhat knowledge on the topic — CAVEAT: If you are passionate about something on which you are not knowledgeable, but have a strong desire to become more of an expert, then go for it!
- Delete the ones on which you are least knowledgeable and have the least interest on which to write.
Ready, Set, Write!
Now that you have your topic, it’s time to write about it. Most people have a difficult time getting started on a writing project for themselves. An accomplished writing friend of mine gave me some of the best advice for that, and I’ve added my own two cents, as well:
- The first thing you do every morning is write one page of your manuscript — about 500 words.
- Set aside at least 15 minutes to accomplish this.
- If you want to do editing on previous content, wait until you have the additional page written for the morning.
- Don’t seriously critique your work until you have a heavy first draft written.
- It’s important to keep your manuscript private until you have a heavily edited first draft — there’s something to be said about all those ideas percolating and simmering until the first edited draft emerges with them on paper.
- Once you’re comfortable with your edited draft, have a close friend initially critique it — someone you know is tactful and sensitive.
- At some point, you need a professional eye to critique your work and give you feedback — with all the pro writers that visit this blog, there might be some who would help each other out.
Polished Product
Once your manuscript is as polished as you can make it, it’s time to make it available on your blog/website, or submit it for publishing or to a contest. If writing an e-book for your blog/website, you’ll need a way to collect monies for it. PayPal and a whole slew of other back-office websites offer that.
I know of a reputable publisher who charges no up-front fees for publishing and evenly splits the proceeds with you. My friend uses him every time she publishes a book. Writing contest are ongoing throughout the year, and it’s not hard to find one that’s free. I have several outdated contests noted on my blog, but many of the same companies have current ones gong on.
Book Writing Pointers
- Name the genre — action/adventure, fantasy, comedy, etc. — more extensive list at Writing.com.
- Know your audience — determine who your audience will be — great info here at Colorado State University.
- Decide on a timeline — she suggested six months for an average 300-page book.
Writing 4 Effect 
Erica
September 20, 2011
This is something I’ve actually considered doing…writing a book or e-book that’s a compilation of the articles and blog posts that I’ve written on various topics, like working from home and different health-related articles I’ve written.
cspeno
September 21, 2011
Good suggestions as always, Sherry. Thanks for posting this.
I will add that getting involved in a critique group of your peer writers is important from the beginning. I have been involved with FWA/Palm Coast and recently started attending their critique meetings as as well. I’ve focused primarily on community service writing, but am attempting my first short story – a romance based partially on real-life experiences. I’ve also put together a family cookbook/memoir that is just about ready for publication.
There are several critique groups in our community. Ours (part of FWA/PC) revolves around a Yahoo Group where we have the opportunity to upload our writing in large chunks or small pieces – one page, one chapter, a whole book/novella/story. In this way we can improve as we go while taking in the suggestions of others as we encourage and guide each other. Then we meet in person once a month to discuss.
As writers we all need to learn to critique as well as be critiqued. Check out what’s available in your area or get involved in an online group. Can’t find one? Start your own! Find some suggestions at this link: http://www.right-writing.com/critique.html
As always, just my two cents!!
Penelope J.
September 21, 2011
Sherry,
A compelling challenge. Wish I could take you up on it as I’m longing to write another book. Actually, it’s great motivation for the would-be or hung-up writer to write or finish a book. You so clearly outline the steps that it actually sounds easy. However, it depends on the kind of book you want to write. Some take much, much longer and require many drafts before being publishable, and even then it’s a toss up. As for publishing an e-book, I just shared a post on FB, a cynical spoof of what it’s really like.
I just wrote my last blog post – for a while – as I need to concentrate on work and writing. Coincidentally, “Never Give Up on Your Dream” is about my experience writing books and still being, after all this time, an unpublished author. By now, it’s a matter of choice because as you say, self-publishing is pretty easy. What is holding me up? The post publishing part. The promotional part. I don’t have the money to hire a publicist and I don’t have the time, energy or knowhow to self-promote/publicize. The alternative is to sell 100 copies to family and friends and forget about the book.
Samantha Bangayan
November 21, 2011
I love this post, Sherry! Were you speaking to me? Just kidding! =) This is something that has been on my mind for what seems like such a long time, but you’re so right that it’s about getting down and just doing it. Thanks for these steps and for helping me realize that it’s manageable! =) Wishing you the best of luck with your writing projects!