As a writer, how long does it take to write a book or series? What does it take to become an author and overcome your challenges and limitations? This post will shed some light on what goes into writing a book or series.
Writing a book or series is hard. Well, at least it can be at times. It’s not that it is necessarily difficult to write something. It’s the writing something interesting and wholesome consistently over an extended period of time. Say, 5, 10, 20 years for example.
Imagine doing so as your hobby. Or as a spouse and parent. How is this even possible? Why is it so difficult for someone to make a living writing a book or series? How does one find time for writing, with the demands of a full-time job, a family to invest in, and little brain power left at the end of a hard day of work?
I ask these questions because I’ve thought of them at some point along my journey. I have had to find answers to them or else I would never get the time or energy to do one of my favorite things in the world, write.
In this blog post, I will take you through what has helped me write a book. It may be more simple than you think. I hope you stick along for the journey, and I hope you write your own story along the way. This is how to write a book or series.
This post is all about Writing a Book or Series: Motivation.
Writing A Book
If you are going to begin writing a book or series, you are eventually going to need to start. You are going to have to find time to sit down and write, which can be an incredible challenge and a daunting task. You are probably going to need some sort of idea for what you are writing, and for some, it may require research, life experience, extensive planning, or divine inspiration.
Wherever you are in your journey, just know that no day is better to start than today! I don’t ever want to put off my dreams till I retire or get older, so I highly recommend that if there’s something you want to do, better to at least try than to never write your dreams.
Everyone has a different writing process, but one thing that is common between all writers is that they write. So do whatever it takes to get in your writing zone, to find and make the time to get at it. All you have to do is start, and then the rest gets better, or at least I hope it does. Start with one chapter, and then another, and another, until you are happy and your story is wrapped up.
For me, this means waking up at 5 am with my wife, so that I have time in the morning to pray, read, and write before our daughter gets up and we need to focus on our precious angel. It’s not easy at all, but it has to be done. A cup of coffee helps, and a supportive and loving partner makes it better. Is there a specific time of day you could set aside to write? Is there a writing buddy or spouse that can hold you accountable? Do what you must, find what works best for you, and get started. It will be worth it!
Now What?
So you finished your first book? Mine took me around 10 years! Now what? Time to celebrate all that you accomplished, recognize how much you grew, and think about where you want to go next. It is incredibly challenging writing a cohesive story, editing, refining, proofing, and putting it all together to form a proper book.
Then comes the challenge of cover design, layout, margins, font, and all the in-betweens. You can also decide to make your book an ebook, audiobook, etc.
Perhaps I will go into further detail on the process of publishing and the chores and tasks that entails, though for now, let’s just say that you have celebrated, taken some much-deserved rest or vacation, and are ready to write the sequel.
How do you do that? The same steps as previous, you write. You make time for it every day, bit by bit, piece by piece, word by word, until you have written your masterpiece. You get better, you learn the difficult things, and you become a master.
For me, I finished my first book, Future Love Story. Now what? That was the great question that I faced after finishing. It took me a long time before I got back into it, as I thought my book would get published, I would be able to make a living off of it, and many people would love reading my book. I still have a lot to learn.
Turns out this wasn’t how things turned out and it was a bit of a sad reality check. I learned writing a book did not solve all of my problems and fulfill all my deepest longings, as only God and love can do that. Good things take time and it is my prayer that if they are to take place then they happen on God’s time. I will never stop dreaming and believing!
I always knew that I wanted this to be a series of 5 or so books. It was going to be quite the journey, and how beautiful it has been. While starting Future Love Story II, we got pregnant with our first daughter, I started a new career in software development and became a father. Talk about exciting life stuff! Not only does this add richness to our lives, but it makes for more purpose in writing.
Are there any experiences you went through that you want to write about? Are you going to put off writing a book till you’re 100?
What’s Next?
I guess I want to close this post with the thought that great things come about when you spend time doing the little things, day in and out, over an extended period of time. The same could be said about your finances, real estate, relationships, etc. The joy is in the journey, and the journey could not be a more exciting one. If you let God inspire you with the right words, the right stories, and the right adventures, it is going to be a blast. The great hope is that you come out on the other side of this a better human, helping others and society along the way.
At the end of it all, isn’t that what life’s all about? Coming out of this a better and more beautiful soul, impacting lives, experiencing life, and thanking God along the way. You can do incredible things and make your dreams happen! If someone else has already done what you want to do, then know that it is possible! And if someone has not done what you want to do, then all the more reason to have faith, live boldly, and pursue your deepest aspiration.
Writing a book was a huge achievement of mine. I felt incredibly fulfilled in doing so and got to live out a childhood dream. I used to write books and stories in elementary school and the fact that I am still doing so as an adult, makes me think that the childhood me would be proud of me.
What’s next for me? A life of love, family joy, and writing and living the Future Love Story Series and Family.
What’s next for you? Do you want to write a book or series? Or is there something else you would rather do? Whatever you decide to do with your life, just know that you are special, and were created to bless others on your journey. Thanks for being a blessing to the world and giving the gift you wish you always had. For God loves you, and what better gift to give than you?
I love you.
Lozza Love,
Michael Wittorp