Why It Is A Good Time To Start Writing A Book

by Vasy Kafidoff

Writing a book is quite an achievement and many people dream about it. For outsiders, it seems sometimes monumental and almost impossible to do. Yet, it is completely manageable and everyone who wants to do it and is ready to work will accomplish this task. Why? Because tons of other authors have done it and no one is born with this skill.

Now is a great time to begin, whether you are working for a letter writing service or have a traveling blog. Or even if you have no experience at all, the best time to start is today and here are several reasons why.

Reasons to Begin Today

-        In our age, the publishing process is much simpler. In previous times, it took a lot of time and effort to write letters to publishers, to get numerous rejections and wait for a company to accept one’s novel. Now, it is not necessary at all. A lot of people start with online publications and attract followers and readers. Many resources allow online self-publishing and if the digital copy will be successful, a publishing company might find you first.

-        There are lots of open sources of information. Thanks to the Internet we have access to libraries, studies, researches, seminars and all the types of knowledge. It certainly quite easy to find information, learn where to start or simply get inspired by motivational quotes by writers or look for motivation on studyblr. Making research for a book is accessible to anyone. Globalization also helps to find new ideas and provides a wider audience.

-        One can learn from others much easier. When it comes to writing the best way to get better at it is to practice and to read other authors. Nowadays one can buy a novel or access a blog in several seconds.

-        Let’s face it; the main reason to write a book is that you are already considering it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this, so go for it. All that matters is a clear goal, motivation, and dedication. No one is born an excellent writer, it is a skill that anyone can learn and master. That’s why it is time to start writing a book.

-        It is a great way to deliver a message and make an impact. One can share an experience or contribute to culture and society, which is a powerful tool.

How to Start Writing a Book for the First Time

Now, when the reasons are clear, you might be wondering “how can I start writing a book?” Well, the best way to start writing a book is just to begin. Sit down and write the first sentence, then the first paragraph, and the first chapter.

Here are some steps that will help one to get the process going.

1.     Find the genre. It doesn’t have to be extremely specific, but you need a clear idea of what the future creation would like. It can be non-fiction, science fiction, self-help or any other type. Look at what you personally interested in; what kind of things do you enjoy.

2.     Figure out what it is going to be about. What is the message or a story you would like to share? Based on that, you’ll build a plot, characters, and the main conflict. One of the essential tips to start writing a book is not to expect perfection from the beginning. Perfectionism is rather harmful to a creative process.

3.     Develop characters. For those who think “what do I need to start writing a book” the answer is – relatable and well-developed characters. They are the moving force of the storyline. They need to have a background and motivation. After all, we all tend to remember characters more than perks of the plot. Lots of people remember Don Quixote and Sherlock Holmes, but won’t name details of their adventures.

4.     Create an ending. If you want to start writing a book, begin with an ending. It is the hardest part and an author has to know where the story goes. It will be much easier to finish it when you know where to stop.

5.     Now it is time to type! Devote time every day or every week and set clear goals, like the number of words to finish with each session.

6.     Do not be too critical. It is important to manage one’s expectations. The first draft probably won’t get a Nobel Prize for Literature. Yet, it is a huge step. And it will take a lot of editing and rewriting until you’ll get a great result.

In Summary

There is no need to wonder where to start writing a book, use these tips to begin the process. After all, it is a fascinating time to be an author. We have unlimited access to all kinds of sources and inspiration. We also have many opportunities when it comes to bringing works to the audience, whether it is online or self-publishing.

Author’s bio: Vasy Kafidoff is an experienced writer and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in technology, education, digital marketing, and cryptocurrencies. He shares his latest articles on various topics on his Twitter.

10 Inspiring Tools & Resources for Writers and Authors

by Scott Mathews

All good writers know that without inspiration, nothing can flow from the pen. However, if you are struggling with writer’s block, there are a large number of apps and tools available to help you find inspiration. 

The tools you could find not only help find inspiration, but they can help you through every step of the writing process, including researching and editing.

While many writers spend years slaving away at the same task, it is well-known that having the right tools at your disposal can ease the process. 

When you have the right tools at your disposal – be it a writing app, thesaurus, or a good pen – your writing process becomes more comfortable and enjoyable. An enjoyable writing experience helps ease the effect of writer’s block.

Pages

Pages is an Apple app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, which uses iCloud storage to allow you access on all devices. Pages is a word processor that allows you to write, edit, and view documents even when you’re on-the-go. 

In addition to plain text documents, Pages offers a variety of templates that can be used for creating reports, letters, flyers, posters, and cards. The app also allows you to export documents in formats such as Pages, Microsoft Word, and PDF for easy sharing.

Pages is a great app for the Apple user who is always traveling. Giving you access to your work across a number of devices, you can create when inspiration strikes. You can also edit and publish on-the-go, making it easier to meet deadlines and maintain a schedule no matter where you are. 

Write

Write is an Android app designed for use on tablets, but many newer phones also support the app. While the app isn’t designed for word processing, it allows for journaling and note-taking which is a great way to jot down ideas on-the-go. 

Write documents can be exported to other apps like Microsoft Word for better editing and in-depth word processing needs. You can also easily export documents to email, blogs, and WordPress, making the publishing process simple. 

While you can’t use the app to write whole novels or blog posts on-the-go, it is a good way to keep track of thoughts and ideas you want to use later. With Write, losing ideas will be a thing of the past, as you can write down ideas when they happen.

Chapters

If you are a writer with multiple projects and ideas running at the same time, Chapters is the ideal app for you. The app not only lets you collect and separate information for various projects, but you can also search notes, back them up, export as PDF, and add photos.

While Chapters is not a word-processor, it can give you a whole new way of finding and maintaining inspiration. By adding photos and pictures, you are more likely to manage and trigger the ideas you had at the time when you made the notes. 

In addition, by allowing you to separate multiple projects, you are less likely to cross-over ideas, allowing your writing to stay on track more easily.

The Guardian Style Guide

The Guardian Style Guide is a great resource that helps writers understand grammar rules and correct word usage, along with good phrases and acronyms that can add to your writing. 

The Style Guide is compiled as a book and is regularly updated with the latest style and writing tips. Not only is the tool arranged alphabetically, you are also able to search for entries or jump to a rule through alphabetized hyperlinks.

The Style Guide is compiled by active and qualified journalists. This means you are likely given access to current, relevant information that aims to improve your writing. Since these journalists also refer to the guide when they are writing articles, you can rest assured that the information is accurate and useful.

Daily Writing Tips

If you are an established writer, it might not be necessary to access a style guide tool. Rather, Daily Writing Tips works much like a Word of the Day app in that you are provided with a new tip each day. Tips cover topics like grammar, spelling, and vocabulary, and the site is best suited to freelance writers.

The tips on the site are aimed towards digital and business contexts, with guidance on creating clear writing with tips on topics like writing for a particular audience or successful captioning. This makes it very popular among the essay writing services that provide uni assignment to college and university students. 

When you improve your writing, inspiration begins to flow. Writers often become comfortable in their style and sometimes this can make their writing dull. Trying new things by applying tips like these can revamp your style and motivate you to write more.

Kindle Spy and Kindle Rocket

Kindle Spy and Kindle Rocket are two very similar apps offered by Kindle. These apps are great for a writer who is stuck with a bit of writer’s block, since they help you find the best topic to write about. 

The apps make use of algorithms that scour popular titles and genres to establish what the best-selling topics are. They suggest these topics to you, and you are able to start writing about something that is popular and likely to sell.

Kindle Rocket is also great for the writer seeking tips for self-publishing, as you can use the app to publish and promote your book. In addition to helping you find a profitable niche, both apps are available with a once-off payment and lifetime subscription. 

While Kindle Rocket is a bit more expensive, having access to self-publishing tools might just make the price worth your while.

Hemingway

Once you have written your book or blog, you need to edit and proofread. While you could do it the old-fashioned way, it has since become much easier with sites and apps. Hemingway is a free tool aimed at making your writing clear. 

It has a word counter and offers an instant readability score, but its real value lies in its suggestions. It identifies and highlights areas of text that may be hard to read or hard to understand as well as finding instances of passive voice.

Jane Crowe, who works for the top essay writing service, UK assignment help, finds it very handy when working on academic assignments. In her view, having a text editor that not only tells you there are errors but points them out as well is invaluable. While Hemingway does not offer clear suggestions on how to correct the errors, merely being able to identify them should be enough to help an experienced writer along the way.

Cliché Finder

Another useful and free text editor is Cliché Finder. Often, writers use metaphors and similes to make their writing more descriptive and interesting. While you may think you are drawing in readers, you might turn them away if you use too many clichés. 

Cliché Finder searches your writing for clichés and highlights them. This helps you identify them and make sure they add meaning rather than just take up space.

Using clichés is not always a bad thing, but if they are not adding meaning to your writing, the reader might feel bored or lose interest. As a result, being able to find and identify them might help improve your writing and attract more readers. 

Grammarly

One of the best online editors is Grammarly. It is not only available through their website, but also lays over programs as a plugin and extension for browsers 

You can have Grammarly checking as you write regardless of which apps you use, meaning that those typos in your emails will be gone forever. Grammarly also helps you improve your writing by offering alternative word suggestions that aim to simplify and strengthen your writing.

If you are hoping to avoid plagiarism, passive voice, and wordiness, you can also use the paid version of Grammarly. The monthly fee gives you access to plagiarism checkers that can help you avoid all kinds of legal trouble, as well as a fully comprehensive grammar and style checker.

Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild

If you are a beginner writer, or a skilled writer looking to improve, Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild offers a wide variety of writing courses and tips. While the courses are free, you need to apply for a place since space is limited. 

In addition to courses that aim to boost your confidence, write a good novel, and write inspirational texts, there are a range of articles available to help.

The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild is a useful site that offers to help writers reach their fullest potential. If you are interested in more writing tools and blogs about writing, Jerry Jenkins has you covered. It is useful to read blogs and articles from experienced writers to help you improve your own work.

Conclusion

There are a wide variety of tools available online to help you improve your writing and maintain inspiration. From on-the-go journals and word processors to writing courses and style guides, the internet has it all. 

As a writer, you should aim to improve no matter how experienced you are. When you feel inspiration and motivation slipping away from you, use some of these tools to help spark it back up and get you into the groove once more.

Scott Mathews works as a freelance academic writer for dissertation writing services that provide assignment help to Ph.D. students. He also works as a cover letter, LinkedIn profile and resume writer for a jobs and career website. In his free time, he loves to watch classic movies and work on DIY coffee tables.  

Suggestions for Great Book Cover Design for Independent Authors

People will often judge a book by its cover; that’s normal because there are simply so many books out there that it can be overwhelming trying to choose your next read. That’s why as an independent author you should be designing an engaging and memorable book cover. Something that’s unique and different can drive a potential customer to look at it with more interest. Here are the top suggestions for getting a great book design.

1. Hire a Professional Designer

As an author, you’re probably a great writer but you don’t have much experience creating a book cover. That’s why you should hire a designer that has experience and can make sure your cover is optimized to appeal to readers. Look at their design portfolios and styles and hire one that works in your budget. On top of designing it, they can explain to you the different aspects of a successful cover.

2. Come Up with a Unique Concept

Once you have your designer, you need to decide your cover concept. Discuss with your designer the theme for the book, and if you can, they should read your book as well. Afterwards, you can develop the concept.

3. Choose One Element to Emphasize

As per George Ford, creative writer at Dissertation Writing Service and Essay Help, “a good book cover should have only one element highlighted. That’s because you want one particular thing to dominate the whole cover and draw in your customers’ eyes. That can be either an image, a symbol, an object, or even text.”

4. Play with Sizing

You need to have some different sizes and scales for your cover because if everything is the same size, nothing will stand out. Make one of your elements in a bigger size to draw the attention. For new authors, you don’t want that to be your name since no one knows it. Instead, focus on the title of the book.

5. Don’t Clutter the Cover

If you have too much going on on your cover, such as images, type, and more, it will create what’s known as visual noise. Too many aspects will be fighting for the viewer’s attention. Floyd Weir, a business writer at Professional Essay Writer and Assignment Writing, says “that means the viewer won’t know what’s the core message and won’t be appealed by this cover. To avoid clutter, don’t use too many colors, fonts, or quotes.”

6. Choose Your Typography

Using the right typography has a big impact on your big cover. Colors speak to our emotions but the typeface will give your design a personality. Use only one or two so the cover isn’t too busy, and try to stay away from all caps typefaces. Play around with different weights and options and try different combinations. Don’t use font smaller than 8 points, and don’t outline it because that’s rarely a pleasant look. 

These are the main points to think about when you design your book cover. If you’re in doubt about any step, consider hiring a professional. 

Bea Potter, a writer and editor for Custom Essay and Assignment Writer services, helps independent writers and artists get successful. She enjoys helping them with marketing and social media strategies and is passionate about giving indie artists a platform. In her spare time, she travels and writes at BoomEssays about her adventures.