So, you want to write a novel?
Like I said before this is really going to be a journal of everything, I have done wrong and at times what I am still doing wrong. First things first, when you go searching for information on how to write and publish a book, you are going to find a plethora of contradicting advice out there. You will find advice that makes a lot of sense from authors struggling and you will find horrible advice from people earning millions.
Use critical thinking. I cannot stress this enough. Because there are times, I still forget to do this. And you will see as I continue to write these out that yeah, I may contradict myself and I don’t take my own advice. Look, I’m human. You are human and unless someone is lying to me, we are all in this human experience together. So, buckle up and put on that tine foil hat and lets get started.
You’ve got that itch, a story to tell and you just have to get it out. Welcome to the brainstorming, literally. Right now, there is a literal hurricane inside your skull of ideas itching to fly out like Dorothy’s house and land on a wicked witch.
So, begin. Open a note pad and write.
I won’t ever tell someone not to write to begin their journey, if you want to write fucking do it. The only person holding you back is yourself. May as well put the pen to the proverbial paper and kill the wicked witch.
But while you are writing there are things you can do to hone in your craft. First things first. You have a few things to learn about the publishing world and so far, the best advice I got was to write some erotica and throw it up on Amazon.
* Gasp *
What? Erotica! How scandalous…
Yes, hush let me explain. Sure, we all have to start somewhere. There are lessons we need to learn and understand regarding the publishing world. What we can publish and what we cannot. Amazon is a stricter platform that others. So, if you want to push boundaries try somewhere else, no dubcon here.
What’s that?
Exactly my point, there is a lot to learn.
The absolute best platform to help anyone learn the ropes is r/eroticauthors. There is so much info in that little community that you may spend hours just reading the threads. Do it because it is worth it. Side note, that community is NOT a safe place. If you need someone to sugar coat the rules and hold your hand when you make a mistake you won’t find it here. So, put on your big girl panties and buckle the fuck up.
Besides it’ll harden you up to those scathing reviews. Because you will get them. Everyone does. I suggest if you are worried that your ego may get truly bruised hope on over to goodreads and look up your favorite book then click the one star reviews….
Yeah good fucking luck with that.
I digress, this post is all about starting. It’s about finally taking action and doing something you have always wanted to do. Another incredible source of information is 20Books50k on Facebook. It’s a group of over 35k writers. All giving their stories. Honestly there are some great reads over there.
What am I getting at here?
You didn’t graduate high school at 6, most people graduate at 18. It takes 12 years to graduate high school. An average of 2 years to get an associate degree. 4 for a Bachelors. During that time, you are taught the in’s and outs of basic skills. How to add and subtract, how to read and write, history, etc. There is no course on how to publish a freaking book. You can take a creative writing course but unless you are the rare one with an incredible professor it isn’t going to help you much when it comes down to it.
It is going to take time, to teach yourself how to write and publish a book. So, get started on that market research. Get a membership to kindle unlimited (As an author this is a deduction) and start reading. This is ground zero. Well actually negative 10 because this is the foundation that will shape who you are as a reader, as a writer, as a reviewer. This will help you form your voice. You will find what you like, what you don’t like, and you will naturally gravitate toward one genre.
For example. I love Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files. I am a hard-core fan. I read it and I knew that was my jam. So, when I decided to research the market and genres, I started with his book and scrolled to the also bought and sponsored products. Start clicking, find what you like. If you like that check out the ranks. Amazon has those at the bottom of the description to the left.
Ex.
· Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,558 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #871 in Humorous Fantasy (Books)
- #2047 in Paranormal Demons & Devils Romance
- #93 in Folklore (Books)
This is actually mine for Broken Fae. Yeah, the ranking sucks and that is a discussion for another day. Once all the books in that series are out, I will dissect it and write a post on it.
Either way you will realize that the books you like fall into a Genre. For me that is definitely Humorous Fantasy, as well as Urban Fantasy. This is my Genre. This is what I know so this is what I should write in.
And if you go the erotica route to learn the ropes stick with this too. I didn’t, I tried to write ménage contemporary romance novellas. Don’t be like me. Readers can tell when you are into it.
I think that is a good start, hell we are coming up on 1k words and most people loose interest after 500. So, I applaud you for making it this far with my snark and sass. And hey let me know what you want to know. I’ve been writing for over a decade, and while I’ve only been publishing for a year, I can definitely tell you what not to do.
Until then, peace!