Writer Tips

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#1
Hi friends. I've been thinking for quite some time now. I enjoy blogging a lot, dissecting points the way I perceive them and looking at them from different points of views. I was thinking that maybe I should write a book. I'm still praying to God about it and I'm still studying the subject I want to write about. I don't know yet if it will happen, all I know right now is that my current situation seems to be leading that way. Just trusting God as the days go by.

With that said, if anyone here has written a book, or know others who have, do you have any advise? Just about anything relating to writing and publishing a book. I would greatly appreciate it!
 

Addison

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2014
1,028
46
0
53
#2
Hiya Abi.

Here's an author that offers great suggestions on how to make money on this. :eek:



 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#3
I've often thought about writing a book too. I'd start out with the basic idea for the story, then do an outline highlighting key events in the story, then come up with details between key events and once you have enough details and events to make it interesting, you can sit down and write the story. :)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#4
Hi friends. I've been thinking for quite some time now. I enjoy blogging a lot, dissecting points the way I perceive them and looking at them from different points of views. I was thinking that maybe I should write a book. I'm still praying to God about it and I'm still studying the subject I want to write about. I don't know yet if it will happen, all I know right now is that my current situation seems to be leading that way. Just trusting God as the days go by.

With that said, if anyone here has written a book, or know others who have, do you have any advise? Just about anything relating to writing and publishing a book. I would greatly appreciate it!
Which kind of book -- nonfiction or novel? Mainstream or for children? (I can't help at all for nonfiction.)
 
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#5
I've often thought about writing a book too. I'd start out with the basic idea for the story, then do an outline highlighting key events in the story, then come up with details between key events and once you have enough details and events to make it interesting, you can sit down and write the story. :)
Let me know when you start writing! Yeah, I think that's a great tip. I often try to write by starting from the very beginning. Oftentimes, I forget the main idea of what I'm trying to write because I get lost after introducing terms and stuff.
 
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#6
Which kind of book -- nonfiction or novel? Mainstream or for children? (I can't help at all for nonfiction.)
Nonfiction. I can't, for the life of me, think of a good plot for writing fantasy. My imagination doesn't seem to be detailed enough either lol.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#7
Nonfiction. I can't, for the life of me, think of a good plot for writing fantasy. My imagination doesn't seem to be detailed enough either lol.
Who says fiction has to be fantasy? :)

Which kind of nonfiction? Memoir? Biography? History? Gardening for Dummies? Self-help? 10,001 Things to Do with Dust Bunnies?
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#9
Let me know when you start writing! Yeah, I think that's a great tip. I often try to write by starting from the very beginning. Oftentimes, I forget the main idea of what I'm trying to write because I get lost after introducing terms and stuff.
Thanks. :) I'd like to write one about a james bond type of character and one about a modern-day saint. :) Both fiction of course. Non-fiction involves a lot of research I think.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
9,579
113
#10
But research can be fun, Gabe.. :) I've been thinking of starting a short stories thread on here, but I dunno...


Thanks. :) I'd like to write one about a james bond type of character and one about a modern-day saint. :) Both fiction of course. Non-fiction involves a lot of research I think.
 
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#11
Who says fiction has to be fantasy? :)

Which kind of nonfiction? Memoir? Biography? History? Gardening for Dummies? Self-help? 10,001 Things to Do with Dust Bunnies?
Ohhh, I only know about fantasy fiction.

It could be self-help / history? I'm not sure what genre it is, but I wanted to do Christian research stuff. Could be biblical research. I'm not really looking to write for a living, just because I've been blogging since I was younger and I really enjoy writing about stuff that I learn. Ah I think it could be self-help / christian living kind of book. What do you think?
 
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#13
Thanks. :) I'd like to write one about a james bond type of character and one about a modern-day saint. :) Both fiction of course. Non-fiction involves a lot of research I think.
Yeah, it's why I prefer non-fiction. Research is only searching for information that already exists. I find fiction a challenge. People who write fiction are really gifted, it amazes me lol. I'd gladly do a book review for you! Do you wanna publish it as an e-book? I was playing with iBooks Author and it's kind of cool.
 

mar09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#15
Not sure if this was from an email, but had it saved in a file.

How can you secure a book contract from a publisher?
· It’s not about having a great book idea.
· It’s not about writing a literary masterpiece.
· It’s not even about knowing the right people.

The real secret to securing a book contract is knowing how to write a powerful, compelling book proposal that leaves agents begging to represent you—and publishers eager to sign you.

Dear Fellow-Author,
My name is Michael Hyatt. I am the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. I also served as a literary agent for six years, representing numerous bestselling authors. I am also a New York Times bestselling author myself with seven books to my credit, including my most recent, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.

I know what it takes to get a book contract. I know what it’s like to have a book published by a traditional publisher. I know what other doors open when that happens, including the opportunity to impact tens of thousands of people—and be rewarded handsomely for it.

It’s really not that difficult—if you know the secrets I reveal in my two ebooks. I show you what it takes to secure a book publishing contract, whether you are writing a non-fiction book or a novel.

Secrets for Non-Fiction Authors
In Writing a Winning NON-FICTION Book Proposal, I reveal how to:

· Write a killer query letter that gets the agent or editor to actually read the proposal.
· Get the publisher’s attention in the first paragraph.
· Answer the three questions every publisher asks next.
· Create a unique selling proposition that explains what the reader will gain by reading the book and how the book will deliver it.
· Distinguish between benefits and features—and why it is essential that you do so.
· Identify your target market in such a way that the publisher can visualize the exact opportunity your proposal represents.
· Understand the difference between demographics and psychographics and why both are important.
· Identify specific affinity groups that will help you—and the ultimate publisher—maximize the sales potential of your book.
· Assess your competition and explain how your book will be different.
· Explain why you are qualified to write this book—even if you are a first-time author.
· Demonstrate what you are prepared to do to help market your book.
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#16
But research can be fun, Gabe.. :) I've been thinking of starting a short stories thread on here, but I dunno...
But I'm an artist, not a researcher.. :rolleyes: Have you seen Girl On The Train? I would love to write stuff like that :)

I find the latest james bond movies 'flat' and lacking romanticism and "neat-o" factor. My james bond character will be a woman... and she will be similar to lara croft from tomb raider (super-smart, and a weapons and martial arts expert). She will also break some bad guys' hearts... and maybe some good guys' hearts too! :rolleyes:
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#18
Thanks. :) I'd like to write one about a james bond type of character and one about a modern-day saint. :) Both fiction of course. Non-fiction involves a lot of research I think.
Bad news! Fiction requires a lot of research too. I even set my story in my neighborhood to avoid research. Still had to learn where that bus goes, which areas get which trash day, and where our trash go.

Mostly, I had to learn how to write a book. School never teaches us, and I went to college for a degree in Communication. School teaches us many things, but not how to write a whole book.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#19
Ohhh, I only know about fantasy fiction.

It could be self-help / history? I'm not sure what genre it is, but I wanted to do Christian research stuff. Could be biblical research. I'm not really looking to write for a living, just because I've been blogging since I was younger and I really enjoy writing about stuff that I learn. Ah I think it could be self-help / christian living kind of book. What do you think?
I just sent out my first query for my novel last Friday. Got a nibble from an agent yesterday. (Small nibble. She wanted to see my first ten pages.)

You've got more guts than I have. I don't have the guts to write on any Christian message, once more in book form.
:eek:
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#20
Not sure if this was from an email, but had it saved in a file.

How can you secure a book contract from a publisher?
· It’s not about having a great book idea.
· It’s not about writing a literary masterpiece.
· It’s not even about knowing the right people.

The real secret to securing a book contract is knowing how to write a powerful, compelling book proposal that leaves agents begging to represent you—and publishers eager to sign you.

Dear Fellow-Author,
My name is Michael Hyatt. I am the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. I also served as a literary agent for six years, representing numerous bestselling authors. I am also a New York Times bestselling author myself with seven books to my credit, including my most recent, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.

I know what it takes to get a book contract. I know what it’s like to have a book published by a traditional publisher. I know what other doors open when that happens, including the opportunity to impact tens of thousands of people—and be rewarded handsomely for it.

It’s really not that difficult—if you know the secrets I reveal in my two ebooks. I show you what it takes to secure a book publishing contract, whether you are writing a non-fiction book or a novel.

Secrets for Non-Fiction Authors
In Writing a Winning NON-FICTION Book Proposal, I reveal how to:

· Write a killer query letter that gets the agent or editor to actually read the proposal.
· Get the publisher’s attention in the first paragraph.
· Answer the three questions every publisher asks next.
· Create a unique selling proposition that explains what the reader will gain by reading the book and how the book will deliver it.
· Distinguish between benefits and features—and why it is essential that you do so.
· Identify your target market in such a way that the publisher can visualize the exact opportunity your proposal represents.
· Understand the difference between demographics and psychographics and why both are important.
· Identify specific affinity groups that will help you—and the ultimate publisher—maximize the sales potential of your book.
· Assess your competition and explain how your book will be different.
· Explain why you are qualified to write this book—even if you are a first-time author.
· Demonstrate what you are prepared to do to help market your book.
"Write a killer query." LOL

I spent a year trying to get my query up to snuff. I gave up on "killer," and just went with "enough to entice?" It was easier to write the book than that dang letter!

That advice reminds me of an old Steve Martin joke.

"I can teach you how to get a million dollars tax free. First step: get a million dollars."