Most of us question on whether we know how to write when in actuality we should be questioning whether we know how to speak. If you are passionate about a subject, you will likely be able to talk for hours. Those listening to you will be able to absorb the information and learn something from you. Basically if you have this passion, you should be able to speak the book and then write it. One caution when speaking the book is that you watch the slang expressions. You should try to speak using correct grammar (which is tough to do). When speaking you do not have worry about spelling until you transcribe your tapes. Letting the listener know when you have reached the end of paragraph or end of sentence is also extremely important. These natural pauses make the flow much better. So if you are going to use a tape, you will need to pick up skills in dictating.
Before you even embark on this process, you will need to learn how to outline your book, break it into chapters and then break each chapter down into topics. This is the blueprinting stage of your book. There are formulas how this might work best for each genre (genre meaning whether it is fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, business, how to, etc.). I put on a short course called “Planning your Writing for Success” that helps budding authors organize their great ideas. One of the things we cover is writing warm-ups and writing from knowledge.
What ever you decide to write, whether it is a book, an article, or a rebuttal, you should hire an editor to proof your copy. Editors will ask you for clarification on points that make no sense. They will also correct grammar and reword awkward phrases.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. is a speaker, author (over 170 books, articles, and publications), and consultant. She has provided marketing, sales, business development and training expertise for companies such as Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Varian Medical Systems, Accenture, Avaya, Cisco Systems to name a few. Dr. Daoust has also done extensive work with small businesses in developing their marketing, training, and operational plans. You may contact Dr. Daoust at BizMechanix.com BizMechanix.com. You may also view her latest publications at BlueprintBooks.com BlueprintBooks.com. Dr. Daoust also writes for the National Networker theNationalNetworker.com theNationalNetworker.com.