Making your own book is a common dream of many people with different walks of life. It doesn't matter if you are a successful author or a new parent who wants something original to read to your child, putting together a book, even a small one, takes a lot of time, skill and vision. However, the result is something that you (and hopefully many others!) Will treasure for years to come.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Planning Your Book
Step 1. Start with some idea of what you want to do
The word "book" is imprecise and could be taken in different ways. Looking to write a novel? A comic? An illustrated book for children or even adults? A manifesto on nihilism? If you want to make a book, chances are you already have some idea of what you want to do.
In general, books are easily divided into two categories: fiction and non-fiction. However, there are many possible means by which you can address any of these categories. Some books are very visual, while others only use written words
Step 2. Read other books
Taking in other people's art is an integral (and often underrated) step in creating a book. If you have decided on a medium or a genre, you should opt for some books that you think represent the best characteristics of that style. Look not just at the superficial content of the writer's work (such as plot and character), but at the ways in which he produces it, whether through figures of speech, metaphors, or flashbacks.
- For example, someone writing about an existential area might consider George Batailles or Albert Camus. Similarly, a so-called fantasy writer might want to read the Elric series by writer Michael Moorcock.
- If you like a trick that an author uses in a certain work, write it down. Great writers always borrow some techniques from each other. However, plagiarism only occurs when specific information is copied without giving credit to its author.
Step 3. Determine your target audience
No piece of art was actually created in an isolated space. Even if only you or someone else will read your book, considering the type of reading experience your book will be is a necessary part of planning. If you plan to submit your work at some point to a professional publisher or distributor, consider what they might look for in new posts. If you write a story for your child, try to imagine what it would be like to have someone read it to you at bedtime.
Doing your research on segments and bestsellers will help if you have a serious attitude about entering the great world of writing
Step 4. Try to write freely
If you suffer from writer's block, try some free writing exercises. Let your mind run wild with ideas and don't worry too much about how it looks like a finished product. Also, there are not many writers who do not put their full trust in the beneficial effects of average consumption of alcohol or coffee to get creativity flowing.
Write using an idea. Connect with what you think and write whatever comes to mind. Most of the time, you will be able to draw a coherent sequence of ideas from this act
Step 5. Recognize the work ethic involved with creating a book
Before leaving the intellectual conception phase, it is important that you stop and consider how difficult it can be to make one come true. Most projects that are started are never finished. Typically this is due to the fact that real-life worries, such as job or relationship stress, get in the way. What's more, you could quickly lose inspiration if you put the project on hiatus for too long. Although the workload will depend on the type of book you write, this activity is still a great commitment. Only give it a try if you really think you can.
Part 2 of 4: Write Your Book
Step 1. Make an argument
You cannot write a book without first having a clear idea of what you will write. It will not be satisfying to read a book from cover to cover if it is written insanely. Take the ideas you came up with while planning and sequence them so that it looks amazing and interesting. Everything works, no matter how ambitious in nature, as long as it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Use inspiration from other jobs if you stumble.
If your book is not fiction, replace the argument with a thesis or information. In many ways, forming a fiction book and a nonfiction book is very similar. This is a process of putting your ideas together in a way that gives you an impression of what you will write when you have to write the act
Step 2. Write an outline
A basic outline will cover the beginning, middle, and end that you came up with while creating your plot, giving it more meaning and structure. At this point, you should put all your best ideas on paper. You cannot assure that you will not forget them if you do not write them. Don't worry if the scheme doesn't make sense to anyone but you. Above all, do not superficially perform the outlining process. It may not be as glamorous as writing, but it will save you frustration down the road. A consistent plan generates consistent execution.
Add characters or ideas to the scheme. By having a few basic points, you may consider delving into some of these. Fiction relies heavily on characters, so it can be helpful to make separate schematics for each character and how they evolve throughout the story
Step 3. Outline the chapters of the book
When dealing with something as potentially intimidating as a whole book, a smart way to make the process feel more manageable is to break it down into parts. If you already have an outline of the events or ideas that you would like to cover in the book, it becomes simpler to break it down into the most digestible parts that you think will be most useful to you and the reader. If you have difficulty deciding what each chapter will contain, you should go back to the framework and add new details to it.
Try to assign a title to each chapter and a few lines detailing what is within it. You don't have to use the chapter names in the final product, instead they should give you a guideline about where they should go when you write what will be final
Step 4. Write a preliminary document
By this stage, you should already have a well-made outline that leaves little room for questioning regarding the direction of your book. You have finally managed to give your ideas some weight. However, your first attempt at writing should be seen as another outline. Try to write as freely as you can; do not censor yourself. Take each chapter independently and write until you feel like you've covered the points in sufficient depth. You don't need to worry if the book looks a bit short at this point. Many of these ideas will be expanded or completely changed in the final sketch.
Step 5. Take care of the final sketch
Writing, whether as a profession or a hobby, is an activity that involves a lot of planning. You might agree to this if you've followed the steps outlined so far. In any case, it is at this point that you should focus on writing the final product. It could take days, weeks, or months, but the hours invested will finally see your literary dream take on consistent shape. It is advisable to establish an amount of time a day to occupy yourself with writing. Don't allow yourself to lose focus of what you want to do.
A final sketch is considered an edit to the macro structure, but you should give the finished copy another series of revisions after reading it through
Step 6. Think of a creative title
Some people know the name of their books before they even write the first word of their writing. In other cases, the title might be the last thing they come up with. A really great headline will attract a potential reader without them knowing anything else about it. Think of the great book titles like Ayn Rand's Rise of Atlas or Tolkien's Hobbit that are the ones that stuck in people's minds, regardless of whether they actually read the book before. Be patient and try to think of an inexpensive and concise way to summarize your book in a few words or less.
Pick a few words from the manuscript if you have trouble defining the title. You may have already written the title of your work, but did not think to designate it as such at the time
Part 3 of 4: Make the physical copy
Step 1. Create a cover
The preferred style for a cover depends on the type of book being written. If you intend to sell your book to a publisher, the cover should be kept relatively basic. Make a cover that gives a hint of what your book is about.
- Stick to the basics of the job title, such as name, date, and contact information, written in a font large enough to be easily read from a short distance. However, with a creative project, the possibilities are endless. If you are visually artistic, a drawing that matches the title will add some flair.
- A title is obviously mandatory for any cover. No matter how adventurous you get with your cover design, be sure to make your title big and bold.
Step 2. Create a paste
Most of your favorite books, from fantasy to leather-bound classics, could have attractive cover. While it is true that the common saying tells us not to judge a book by its cover, there is not a book that has not received the help of an attractive image to launch. A paste should wrap both sides of your book. If you measure the pasta yourself, consider the area of the spine of the book as well.
- To make a book at home, you must laminate a paper of your choice. Draw an attractive cover on the paste if you have the artistic taste to do so and don't forget to include important details like your name and the title of the book.
- Keep in mind that pastes are only really worth considering if you do a project entirely yourself and don't try to send it to a publisher. If your book is published professionally, the publisher will handle the paste and artwork.
Step 3. Format the manuscript
Publishers come across many submissions a day. Although it is true that some publishers may not have a series of requirements for the format that your manuscript must have, it is generally understood that proposals with a better presentation have a better probability of being accepted. A poorly presented sketch could be ignored, even if the material is ingenious!
- Stick to a standard font and size. Normally, Times New Roman of size 12 is the format established for a text. Many professional writers prefer it because it is easy to read.
- List the pages. This cannot be ignored when submitting a manuscript. In case the pages are out of order, the person who receives your masterpiece will need to know what the sequence of the pages is. Also, a header on the pages (with the author and title) will not hurt.
- Line up and indent. The Word processor will align the pages and indent them appropriately by default, but in case you have played a bit with the settings, it is recommended that you make sure that everything is in order before printing.
Step 4. Print
Ultimately, printing your masterpiece is a simple but essential step in the plan, as long as you've been doing any of the parts of the project on a computer. It is mandatory that you make sure that the ink cartridges are sufficient, as people will quickly become aware of this problem as soon as the font begins to fade at the end of the book. If you need home printing equipment, local schools, libraries, and Internet cafes can help you print inexpensively.
If you're sending your manuscript to a professional location, it might not hurt to print it on a slightly off-white type of paper. In this way, you will stand out from the sea of generic manuscripts they receive
Step 5. Gather everything with a wrap
If you make a book on your own, putting it together could be part of the process. There are many ways to achieve this. If you have an interest in arts and crafts, kraft paper and glue will be your friends. Find a piece of cardboard to glue to the back of your pages that is used as a spine and glue the laminated pasta over the book.
Manuscripts of novels or nonfiction works that you want published should not have the latter. Gathering the pages with a spiral and a basic cover will suffice. Anything too fancy or colorful on the wrap will hurt the potential seriousness of your work
Part 4 of 4: Spread your work
Step 1. Enjoy your book
It's amazing how many writers try to submit their work without first enjoying it on their own. Although you may have become too familiar with the characters and story developments through the editing process, the real charm is being able to relax and take it in for the first time as a reader. Plus, you deserve this break if you've made it to this point.
Step 2. Show it to your friends
Friends can be excellent critics and editors as they will take care to give your work the shine it deserves and hopefully they will also be interested in helping you achieve your dreams. Give a copy of your manuscript to some friends and have them tell you what they think. Consider their edits and give the manuscript a touch-up if you think it's worth it.
Step 3. Submit your manuscript to publishers
Find publishers you are interested in submitting to and contact them to discuss your work. Get your manuscript to them, either via email or a physical package. Most publishing houses prefer to receive proposals as well-arranged manuscripts. Also, it is preferable to send them to as many publishers as possible; Even those that you are not as enthusiastic about will offer you some opportunities for your success.
Publishers explore a large number of submissions, so don't get too depressed if it takes them a while to give you an answer
Step 4. Publish your novel on your own
In the age of the internet, it's totally acceptable (and even in some cases preferable) to come up on your own and post your work online. Saving your final manuscript as a PDF format and dropping it on the Internet is one possible way to make your name known. Some websites, like Amazon, will offer you sales opportunities to sell your finished e-book. However, keep in mind that you will have to promote it entirely on your own. If you are lucky, your novel will gain popularity through person-to-person communication, but you will have to use yourself first and foremost if you plan to be successful.
Advice
- If you are new to the writing process, it is recommended that you start small; try to aim for more when you've mastered the basics.
- Any moment of writing or creative inspiration requires patience and perseverance. It is advisable to accept frustration as a natural part of the creative process, allowing you time to relax when things get difficult. Also, you shouldn't pause the project for too long.