What I have learnt about how to write a book!
As many will know, I have been writing a memoir that I hope will help others understand what life was like from my perspective as the wife of a terminally ill young father. I am currently on the editing phase and searching for an agent or publisher. I have discovered how difficult it is to write one’s own story, so I thought I would share some of what I have learnt about the writing journey. So far, it has taken me a couple of years to get my story out of my head and into the computer and I am now moulding those words into a narrative that I hope will help others. Here goes with some of the lessons I have had along the way!
Initial learnings
Although I love writing diaries and journals, I had never written a story before, let alone translating a part of my own life into a book that might help people. So, I started the only way I knew how, by writing as if I was preserving what happened for our girls. The words flowed better when I imagined that I was creating a legacy but more recently I have done some writing courses and learnt the benefit of a routine. I make sure I have a drink and snacks nearby and when I sit to write or edit, I purposefully clear a space, move my computer to our kitchen table, turn off distractions such as my mobile phone and light a candle. Having the small flame flickering in the melted wax next to me signals my creative time, the match striking the initial spark marks the beginning and blowing the candle out concludes my writing time.
I am not sure whether writing about one’s own story is more emotional but I have found that I cannot do much productive writing in small snippets of time. Instead, I need to keep time clear in my diary and dedicate a half or whole day to the book in order to work as productively as possible. In our perfectly imperfect life it would be abnormal if interruptions did not disrupt my precious writing time. So, I have had to adapt to things such as having a sick child at home, poorly animals that need checking on, calls for doctor’s appointments and children’s hobbies. When this happens, it is human nature to feel frustrated that less progress is being made but I try to remind myself that small steps lead to big changes.
Next steps
I am currently feeling anxious and excited about sending my sample chapter and book proposal out to agents and possible publishers. It feels like a huge “eek” moment acknowledging that my words will be out in the world, but it also feels like progress! Please wish me luck!
Emma’s thoughts:
In case you might be writing too, here are a few things I have learnt:
Make time: the hardest thing in our super busy world can be setting aside the time to focus, but it is important that you do.
Consider time blocking: make appointments in your diary that preserve blocks of four or five hours a day of continuous writing.
Create a ritual: create a routine, such as lighting a candle, making a cuppa and/or having a moment of calm to signal the start of your writing time.
Get moving: Doing exercise before and after writing can help the creative juices flowing and aid the oxygen moving around your body.
Be creative and write from the heart: think like a fictional writer, set your characters amongst the backdrop of the story and show the reader the emotions.
Craft a strong opening: create a dramatic ‘hook’ that makes the reader want more.
Build trust and intrigue: write as if you are sharing a secret with the reader.
Take breaks: remember that sitting for too long is not good for you, so avoiding full uninterrupted days of writing.
If you'd like to know more about my writing life, please feel free to follow me on Instagram which is my happy place – I share a few articles and blogs each month and post my journey in my stories.