How to Write a Book – Tips From the Masters

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It so happens that you need to tell the world something. But it’s often not clear how to do it to be heard and understood. It is not always even clear what exactly you need to write. There have been writers in similar situations who have managed to get their words out to the world, and the world loves it. The essay writer kindly shares their solutions.

What to write about?

In his collection of notes on writing, Ray Bradbury, “Zen in the Art of Writing,” gives some advice. Write down everything that comes to mind. Often it’s just words – entryway, environment, dog, storefront – everything comes in handy. From time to time, review the list – insights come suddenly.

It is also how reading poetry works. It appeals to the images, the one that remains in the subcortex. It remains to untwist it – the quintessence of the story is ready.

Write “hot off the bat” – if you’ve experienced something exciting – write about it. You met the love of your life – write, a boor in the subway – write.

Write in small portions

In her book “Bird by Bird,” Ann Lamott writes that you do not need to take on a large volume at once. It’s easy to feel stupor before a great epic. But every epic is made up of parts. Writing a scene is a more manageable task.

Write with the door closed

In his book How to Write Books: A Memoir of Mastery, Stephen King talks about the intimacy of writing. A writer needs to stay focused. It’s easy to scare off the muse. What does it take – a private room, a soundproof capsule, or the practice of meditation? To each his own. But it’s best to start with a private room.

Show, not tell

In his book “Literary Workshop,” Jurgen Wolf repeats an old but essential precept – don’t tell, show. Even Mark Twain wrote, “Don’t say, ‘The old lady screamed.’ Take her on stage and make her scream.”

He gives a great example of a “demonstrative” description: “…you get a moonlit night if you write that a glass from a broken bottle flashed brightly on the mill dam…”

Show rather than tell, selecting vivid, specific details.

Be yourself

In “How to Write Well,” William Zinser urges the writer not to be self-conscious. Which, in his mind, means, don’t change your narrative style intentionally.

He writes, “Putting style on top of the text is like wearing a wig. At first glance, the man in the wig seems young and even handsome. But at second glance – and in such cases, one can never do without a second glance – he looks a little unnatural. And the trouble here is not that his appearance is sloppy – not at all, and we can only admire the skill of the wigmaker. The problem is that he doesn’t look like himself.

Write the way you think

Mark Levy suggests a “free rating” exercise from his book, Genius on Demand to make style easier to forge.

Describe in your own words the best idea you’ve heard in the last three days. Write as briefly as possible. You have five minutes. When they run out, review what you’ve written. If you read it out loud and it’s clear to others-you, you’ve suppressed your most sincere thinking. Do another five-minute writing session and transfer your primary thoughts to paper.

Word Sprint

Grant Faulkner suggests another exercise in his book Start Writing. He writes, “Pick a topic, set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, and write. If you have trouble with a topic, open any book to page 17 and find line 6. That will be your topic. As time goes on, it’s important not to hesitate. Let your thoughts rush with the speed of hounds. Write with a sense of urgency.”

Practice the short story genre

The authors offer a more comprehensive exercise of “642 Ideas to Write About.” You come up with an idea for a short scene and describe it. The more absurd, the more fun! A fun exercise in creative thinking.

Write regularly

Bradbury wrote a thousand words a day. King wrote two. Each of their books, and those of most successful writers, are the result of disciplined work. You don’t have to look up to anyone-just start by writing at least a hundred words a day. Do it every day, and the result will not belong.

Specific advice from specific people has helped them for years and still does. But that’s them. The direction may or may not work. But you have to write. Write no matter what. Write everywhere. And then write.

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