FAQ’s on Writing a Book

Find Answers to FAQs on Writing a Book

Writers and authors, here is a page devoted to answering the oft-asked questions you may have on different aspects of writing a book. If you don’t find an answer here, you can type your questions in the comments column and we will try our best to answer.

FAQ on writing a book 1: Do I have what it takes to write a successful book?

Writing is a good idea. It is what helps us piece together our history and helps us grow our knowledge and express our creativity and clarify our thinking. Then why the doubt? Whether you should write a book or not or what topic you should write on is a personal choice. But it is also possible to examine “what it takes to write a successful book,” objectively.

These are some of the inputs that point you in that direction are:

  1. If you have received positive inputs about your posts, writeup and writing style.
  • If you have won a writing competition.
  • If your writing has been published in a magazine and elsewhere.
  • If you have received positive feedback and reactions for your posts/articles/writing. For more on writing a successful book.

FAQ on writing a book 2: What makes a fiction book stand out?

Most people believe getting the story or the plot right is as good as having a best seller on your hand. Only if it were so simple, be sure no one aspect can make the book stand out, it is a combination of several big and small factors that make a book stand out. If you’re writing a thriller, crime, horror book, then it depends on the narration of the story, the predictability of the end, the twists and turns, the suspense, the language and more.

To read more about making a fiction standout visit this page

FAQ on writing a book 3: Which mistakes should a beginner avoid in writing a novel?

Could there be something wrong with your writing? There’s a lot of advice on how to write a book, but it’s equally important to know what not to write.

  • Spend time developing a Plot Structure
  • Make Characters in a Book Interesting
  •  Write Dialogues that feel real
  • How should I Begin Writing?
  • How Much Description is Needed for my Book to be Interesting?
  • Edit as You Write
  • Wordy Sentences
  • Using Clichés while Writing a Book
  • For detailed description and examples of which mistakes a beginner or new author should avoid in a novel read here.

FAQ on writing a book 4: What are some excellent writing tips for a first-time writer? What are the best tips to write a novel as a beginner?

  1. Read and write as much as you can.
  2. Keep a journal/diary handy
  3. Make sure you have a dictionary available at all times
  4. Learn grammar rules
  5. Observe people and activities around you
  6. Getting and using feedback to improve your manuscript is an important task.

FAQ on writing a book 5: What are the tips for writing an ebook?

  1. Analyse the needs of the audience and choose a topic/genre.
  2. Build a story map for the book
  3. Outline each of your chapters
  4. Start writing each chapter
  5. You may be faced with writers’ block. Don’t panic, it is common and can easily be overcome.
  6. Design the cover of your ebook
  7. Place a call-to-action within your ebook
  8. Convert it into the relevant format (epub, pdf etc)
  9. Create a landing page
  10. Market your ebook.

To know more about how to publish an ebook.

FAQ on writing a book 6: What should a writer do before writing the first book? I wish to write a book. Where do I begin?

Writers are advised to hone their writing skills, make mind maps etc. before writing the first draft. An equally essential but much-neglected aspect of researching before writing the first draft is often given a miss. Here is how you can conduct research for your book.

  1. Jot down the main points for your research
  2. Think about the reliable resources that you can take help from (Internet, libraries, interviews, surveys, etc)
  3. If you feel that you’ve gathered a lot, even a lot more than you had initially planned to, you can stop.
  4. Build a solid foundation, get to a beginning point, and finally enter into writing. It’s not that you would not get time to research further if you start writing. You can do it later on, too, if need be.

FAQ on writing a book 7: What writing support can I get?

Once you are clear in your mind that you would like to write a book but are hesitant or do not have much time on your hand. There are two types of writing support you can use.

  1. For those writers who would like to write and publish a book but does not have the time, they can approach content writers. Publishing companies can also extend writing services to you.
  2. If you are hesitant about penning your first novel, here are some writing apps that you can take the help of to write your book.

FAQ on writing a book 8: How can I improve my writing skills?

If you are planning to take up writing seriously then it is important that you invest time, planning and polishing your writing skill.

  • Start off by attending writing workshops in your town. They will be able to help you by pointing out how to improve and where improvement is needed.
  • Once you have decided to write and are clear on the topic. You need to schedule a time that you will devote regularly to it. Stick to the time you have decided.
  • Fix a place that is quiet and free from distractions.

Once you have improved your writing skill, decided on a topic, you will need to conduct on few points.

FAQ on writing a book 9: How do I determine the audience for my book?

  1. Identify books that are on a similar topic/genre as your book.
  2. Look at their social media pages.
  3. Look for various groups on Facebook, Instagram etc. that align with your book’s genre, follow these pages.
  4. Look for people who are visiting these pages. This your audience
  5. Reach out and follow others aligned with your target audience.

FAQ on writing a book 10: How to keep yourself motivated while writing a book?

It is important to keep yourself motivated in order to complete your book. You can adopt various strategies here are a few simple ones that work for our authors.

  1. Give enough time to think about the plot every day.
  2. Conceptualise the story in your mind
  3. Write the summary on a piece of paper.
  4. Dedicate yourself to writing at least 2000 words each day.
  5. Set a fixed time to write every day.
  6. Have a fixed place that is quiet, without distraction and comfortable.
  7. Be part of a writing group, so you can offer each other ideas and encouragement when one is feeling low.
  8. Visualize holding the completed manuscript in your hand. How proud you, your family and your loved ones will feel. How it will bring you closer to your aim of becoming an author and other related benefits.

FAQ on writing a book 11: How do I become a best selling author?

Becoming a best-selling author involves 3 key areas in which you need to work on.

  • 1. Compose a novel that has the potential to become a best-seller. Writers long to compose a bestselling novel. A flawlessly written book that sells is a dream for most writers. Let’s acknowledge it – who does not want to sell their book to the widest audience? Writers often envision how composing a bestseller will transform them. Though it is easy to romanticise this, the question “Where do I begin so I can successfully sell my book,” can be a bit overwhelming for most. For more FAQ on writing a book and content strategies for writing a best selling novel.
  • 2. Choose the best publishing option for your book.
  • 3. Market your book like there is no tomorrow.

FAQ on writing a book 12: How to write a book in 21 days?

FAQ on writing a book 13: What does re-writing a novel mean?

It means revising the novel word by word and cutting out unnecessary words, sentences, descriptions and making additions wherever necessary. It is the opportunity to straighten out the story for good. Learning how and which feedback to incorporate while rewriting will go a long way.

FAQ on writing a book 14: How long does it take to write a novel?

While there is no one answer that will hold good for all writers. The time it takes depends on various factors, the word count and the time you can devote to writing. On average, it takes a year to write a 60,000-word novel.

FAQ on writing a book 15: While writing a novel, is it okay to have short chapters?

Yes. Long chapters make the novel boring. Short chapters keep the reader turning the pages.

FAQ on writing a book 16: What are some of the ways to write the beginning of a novel?

  1. Resist the urge to start the story too early. As the novel progresses you can have flashbacks that cover the past.
  2. Choose a natural beginning point. It could be an action.
  3. Do not get ahead of your readers. Avoid long setting descriptions as a beginning.

FAQ on writing a book 17: What are the essentials of creating an engaging plot for a novel?

  1. Study examples: Keep a reading journal and note useful elements of their storytelling.
  2. Brainstorm great story ideas and create an outline from start to end.
  3. Create a timeline for events in your plot in chronological order.
  4.  Identify each primary character’s main goals.
  5. Create a storyboard and outline scenes.
  6. Use subplots
  7. Use character-driven plot elements
  8. Write dialogue to engage the reader.
  9. Ask for feedback for your story.

FAQ on writing a book 18: How to write a book in different genres?

Here are a few popular genres you can write a book in.

  1. Writing gripping short-stories
  2. Writing a mystery novel, that will hook a reader
  3. Writing a book that children would love to read
  4. Romance story that will stand out
  5. Creating and publishing a Coffee-table book.
  6. Writing a book of poems that will attract a reader
  7. Writing an absorbing autobiography or biography or memoir

FAQ on writing a book 19: I have completed the manuscript now what?

That is one big achievement. However before one begins the next journey to book publishing one must keep four publishing mantras in mind.

You may have been researching or have zeroed in on a publisher. If not you must read up on the publishing options available to you. Find a publisher best suited to your needs and start the publishing of your book.

Here are some inputs from a best-selling author