Essentials You Need Before You Start Writing

What Are the Important Steps to Write a Book? – Ultimate Guide

Are you dreaming of writing a book? Crafting a book can transform your life and inspire countless readers, leaving a lasting impact.

But is writing a book easy? Absolutely not! As an experienced author, I can tell you that after every page, you might feel like giving up.

You may want to quit when ideas dry up, your own story starts to bore you, distractions pull you away, or the sheer weight of the task overwhelms you.

Wondering if there’s a way to write a book efficiently? Yes, if you master these key points:

The perfect starting point.
The requirements for each step of book writing.
How to overcome procrastination, fear, and writer’s block.
How to eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed.

With today’s access to resources, writing tools, and knowledge, you can write a book better and faster than ever before.

Follow a Proven, Stepwise Plan, Instead of Exploring New Things

At Urban Quill Publishing, we created this guide to provide aspiring authors with a clear, actionable plan for writing a book.

With decades of writing experience and over 200 published books, I’m sharing proven techniques to help you succeed. This is my personal approach to writing a book, and I’m confident it will guide you to become a skilled author. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Essentials You Need Before You Start Writing

Taking time to prepare before writing is never wasted. You’ll thank yourself for laying a strong foundation for your book-writing journey.

Avoid shortcuts—this step is critical to your success.

A. Establish a Comfortable Writing Space

You don’t need a lavish setup to write a book. I began my career with just a simple desk and a laptop.

That modest setup was more productive than any fancy office. Create a space that’s comfortable and conducive to writing.

Note: Great writers can write anywhere.

Many authors write in bustling cafes or noisy environments. My first job was in a newsroom with 40 typists working side by side, no partitions. Train yourself to write in any setting.

B. Gather Your Writing Tools

In today’s publishing world, typing is essential. While some writers handwrite drafts and hire someone to digitize them, I recommend writing directly in Microsoft Word.

Note: Publishers rarely accept handwritten or typewritten manuscripts.

The industry standard is Microsoft Word, so submit your work as Word documents to meet publisher expectations.

Step 2: How to Start a Book?

Writing a book feels daunting because it is a massive task. Break it into smaller, manageable parts. As the saying goes, “The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”

A. Break Your Book into Manageable Intervals

Don’t try to write your book in one go. Work in small, focused intervals to make steady progress.

Think of your book as a collection of sentences, paragraphs, and pages. This mindset simplifies the process and leads to a polished book.

B. Refine Your Idea

A bestselling book starts with a captivating idea.

Choose a topic you’re passionate about—one that draws you to your keyboard and keeps you engaged. It should excite both you and your readers. In a competitive market with thousands of writers, your idea must stand out.

Your book’s premise should compel readers to pick it up.

C. Create a Solid Outline

Writing without an outline is like driving without a map—you’ll get lost.

Even for fiction, where some writers prefer a “pantser” approach, a basic structure is essential. For nonfiction, an outline is non-negotiable.

An outline keeps you on track, guiding you toward a cohesive book.

D. Follow a Strict Writing Schedule

Aim for at least 6 hours of writing per week, adjusted to your schedule. I prefer writing at the same time daily to build a habit.

Consistency is key—those 6 hours will lead to a finished book.

E. Conduct Thorough Research

Research is vital for both fiction and nonfiction.

For fiction, your story needs believable details—historical, technical, or cultural—to make it immersive. For nonfiction, even if you’re an expert, research strengthens your work with fresh insights or facts.

A small error can undermine your credibility, so do your homework.

Step 3: Know-How of Writing a Book

A. Think Like a Reader

Always write with your reader in mind. Jot this down on a sticky note or notepad as a reminder.

Every choice—plot, characters, pacing—should consider the reader’s perspective. Write what you’d love to read, knowing others will share your taste.

B. Craft a Compelling Opener

Struggling with opening lines? You’re not alone. A strong start is critical and can’t be left for last.

Great openers are:

Dramatic
Surprising
Philosophical
Poetic

These grab readers’ attention and keep them hooked.

C. Build Tension and Conflict

Readers crave conflict, even in nonfiction.

A story where everything is perfect loses readers fast. For example, if two characters are chatting over coffee, have one storm out after a disagreement to create suspense and keep readers engaged.

D. Silence Your Inner Editor for the First Draft

Perfectionists often struggle to write a first draft without editing every sentence. That inner voice questioning every word is your ego trying to derail you.

When drafting, focus on getting words down. Editing comes later.

E. Write a Memorable Ending

A book’s ending is as crucial as its opening. To craft a satisfying conclusion:

Take your time—don’t rush.
Don’t settle for a “good enough” ending; aim for one that thrills you.
If you choose an unexpected ending, ensure it’s logical to avoid feeling like a trick.
If you have multiple ending ideas, pick the one that resonates emotionally.

Turn Words into Wealth with Urban Quill

Discover 2025 income trends and learn how to boost your earnings as an author today.

Step 4: Rewriting Is Essential

A. Become Your Own Editor

First drafts are rarely publishable. Edit ruthlessly to refine your manuscript.

Follow these editing tips:

Cut unnecessary words.
Use simple language to avoid confusing readers.
Avoid over-explaining.
Limit character descriptions.
Minimize adjectives.
Show, don’t tell, to create vivid scenes.

B. Seek an Advisor

Find a mentor experienced in book writing to review your manuscript. Their feedback is invaluable.

Ask for advice on publishers, agents, and editors. Learning from others’ experiences will save you time and effort.

Step 5: Time to Publish Your Book!

You have two publishing options:

A. Self-Publishing

You’re in control—financing, publishing, and making all decisions.

B. Traditional Publishing

Publishers handle everything—editing, typesetting, printing, and design—while taking on the financial risk.

Both paths have unique advantages, depending on your goals.

FAQs

1) How to write a book as a beginner?

Learn the basics: how to start, engage readers, and conclude. Mastering these fundamentals is essential before you begin.

2) How to write a book with no experience?

No experience? No problem. Many successful authors started as novices. If they can do it, so can you—just focus on creating compelling content.

3) How long does it take to write a book?

It typically takes 6–8 months to write a quality book, depending on word count and skill level. Exceptional writers may finish faster.

4) Is it hard to write a book?

Writing a book is challenging, requiring writing, rewriting, editing, and proofreading. It’s mentally taxing but achievable with persistence.

5) How to write your first book?

Choose a niche or subject you’re passionate about and understand your target audience’s preferences.

Closure

Writing a book is a monumental task, but it’s within your reach.

Take it one step at a time with focus and determination. With Urban Quill Publishing’s guidance, you’ll soon hold your published book in your hands. Best of luck, writers!