Publishing
The 6-Step Writing Process: From Brainstorming to Publishing
Every writer follows his or her own writing process. Often the process is a routine that comes naturally and is not a step-by-step guide writers constantly refer to. Being conscious of your own writing process is especially helpful when you find yourself struggling with a particularly tricky piece. Here are 6 steps towards creating or identifying your personal writing process.
![From Brainstorming to Publishing](jpg/ah-resources-frombrainstormingtopub-main.jpg)
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Prewriting
You're ready to start writing. So why has that blank page been staring back at you for the past hour? Prewriting identifies everything you need to do before you sit down to start your rough draft.
Find Your Idea
Ideas are all around you. You might draw inspiration from a routine, everyday situation or a particular incident you remember from your childhood. Alternatively keep a notebook specifically devoted to catching your ideas as they come to you whether it's during the day or in your dreams at night. Your own imagination is the only limit to finding your source of inspiration.
Build On Your Idea
Two of the most popular methods of fleshing out your idea are Free Writing and Brainstorming.
Free Writing means putting every idea that comes into your head down on paper. Do not stop to edit your mistakes, just let the ideas flow as they come to you.
Brainstorming is a great starting point for any new idea, whether it be a new book or a new business. Write your idea in the center of the page and work outwards in all of the different directions you can take your story.
Plan and Structure
Piecing the puzzle together comes next. It's time to sort through the jumble of ideas you have created and choose which ones you will use to form a coherent story your readers can follow. Make sure you keep your notes though, there may be the seeds of another story in there are well.
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Writing
OK, so now you have your plan, start writing. Remember, this is your first "rough" draft. Forget about word-count and grammar and don't worry if you stray off topic in places. Even the greatest writers produce multiple drafts before they produce their finished manuscript. Think of this stage as a free writing exercise, just with more direction. Identify the best time, location and eliminate potential distractions for an environment conducive to your writing groove.
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Revision
Your story can change a great deal during this stage. Many writers adopt the A.R.R.R. approach:
Add: Have you achieved the 50,000 words you need for your book to officially be called a novel? Have you given your readers all the information they need to make sense of your story? Now go back to those notes you made for additional scenes and any additional details.
Rearrange: Consider the flow and sequencing of your story. Would the plot be better served if some of the events occur in a different order? Consider the pacing of your story.
Remove: How is your word count looking now? Are your readers experiencing information overload? Sometimes you will need to eliminate passages that don't quite fit.
Replace: The most effective way to measure your descriptions and imagery is to ask for a second opinion. Ask friends or fellow writers to take a look and give you feedback.
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Editing
You have overhauled your story. It's time to fine tune your manuscript line by line. Check for repetition, clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Editing is an extremely detailed process and is really best done by a professional. AuthorHouse offers editorial services to increase the selling power of your book. Nobody wants to read a book that is full of mistakes and they certainly won't buy a book that is riddled with them.
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Publishing
You now have a completed manuscript ready to publish. Today's authors are fortunate with the range of available options to get their story published. AuthorHouse's extensive portfolio of publishing services has helped thousands of writers become published authors. Self publishing empowers you with the choice of how to publish a book. Self Publishing with AuthorHouse means you retain control of your work throughout the publishing process.
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Marketing
Read more about the best ways to find your book's audience in our marketing tips.
Self-publishing empowers you with the choice of how to publish a book.
AuthorHouse provides an extensive portfolio of book publishing packages that have helped thousands of writers become published authors.
Writing
Outlining and Drafting Your Story
Five Reasons Less is More When It Comes to Beating Writer’s Block
A Short History of Life Writing
Common Writing Mistakes You Should Avoid
The Dos and Don'ts of Writing the Author Bio of Your Self-Published Book
The Difficult Things: Writing About Pain, Grief, and Hardship
Writing About Your Life: Ideas To Help You Get Started
An Editor's Guide to Producing a Compelling Romance Novel
Why You Should Have a Professional Edit Your Work
Mastering the Art of Self-Editing: Essential Tips for Self-Published Authors
The Importance of Professional Editing: Elevating Your Self-Published Book
Unleashing Your Inner Author: Overcoming Writer's Block
The Do's and Don'ts of Self-Editing Your Manuscript
Publishing
Five Self-Publishing Do’s and Don’ts
The Benefits of Self-Publishing
The It’s a Team Effort: How Publishing With Us Works
How To Publish Your Book in Five Easy Steps
Four Common Self-Publishing Roadblocks and How to Overcome Them
Five Tips for a Professional Cover Design
From Brainstorming to Publishing
A Beginner's Guide to Navigating Publishing Services
Book Cover Design: How to Make Your Book Stand Out
DIY Self-Publishing vs. Supported Self-Publishing: What's Right for You?
Self-Publishing a Book in 8 Steps
10 Autobiographies That Will Inspire You
Navigating The Top 8 Book Distributor Services: Pros and Cons
The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing
Demystifying Self-Publishing: How to Turn Your Book Dreams into Reality
Designing Eye-Catching Book Covers: A Guide for Self-Publishers
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Making an Informed Decision
Navigating the World of Print-on-Demand: A Primer for Self-Publishers
Distribution Options for Self-Published Authors: Reaching Your Target Audience
Self-Publishing on a Budget: Cost-Effective Tips for Authors
“Mind the gap”: Lessons Learned from Self-Published Authors
Setting Yourself Up for Success: 5 Essential Tips for Self-Publishing
Self-Publishing Platforms: 5 Things to Consider When Making Your Choice
Book Cover Design 101: Creating an Eye-Catching Book Cover
Book Cover Design: How “Founder's Syndrome” Impacts Your Success
From Blog to Book: Turning Your Online Content into a Publication
Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Self-Published Author: Boosting Confidence and Motivation
Marketing
Precision Marketing: Define, Learn, and Create Your Target Audience
Build a Platform: Don’t Overlook Direct Sales
The Perfect Pitch: 5 Ways to Pitch Your Self-Published Book
Joining Book Festivals: 5 Ways To Maximize Your Appearance
10 Reasons Self-Published Authors Should Promote Their Books
10 Reasons Why Authors Should Still Send Press Releases
7 Reasons Why Self-Published Authors Should Go Print Too
A Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing Success
Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Authors: Getting Your Book Noticed
8 Tips for Establishing Your Author Brand
Unleashing Your Book's Potential: Building Your Audience like a Startup
The Art of Writing Compelling Book Descriptions
Harnessing the Power of Social Media: Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Books
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