5 Tips for Writing a Bestselling Book
There was a time when becoming a published writer was one of the toughest things to do for an aspiring writer because getting approved by the major publishing houses were not so easy. But now we have platforms for self-expressions like WordPress, Medium, LinkedIn etc. that have made it much easier for writers to get discovered. But, when it comes to seriously writing a book and publishing a bestseller, you need more guidance, research and discipline. Nowadays, thanks to self-publishing, you can publish and print your own book. Now the question is how to get liked when you are discovered because we have millions of writers among us but not all are bestselling authors. Here is a guide that might help you in this endeavour.
- Read- Almost all great writers are avid readers first. You cannot write successfully if you do not read enough. See how authors are dealing with settings, plots, characters, narrative styles and languages; that way you will be able to build your own stories more efficiently. In fact two of the greatest authors of all time- Jane Austen and J. K. Rowling gave the same advice to people when they were asked how to become a successful writer.
- Sketch well – Many writers make the mistake of thinking that the story will write itself. Yes, there should be a certain amount of freedom in your writing and your created characters must act according to their psyche but you need to have a proper sketch of your story to make sure you do not get deviated. One thing readers hate the most is digression therefore having a compact blueprint will make sure that every little part of the story plays an important role to its development.
- Plan the Ending- Every writer at some point struggles to get to the end of the story and start thinking why did they start writing the story in the first place. It generally happens because of a loophole or something they just can’t get past but one should never make the story lengthy just to postpone the ending. Procrastinating the end will only break the readers’ focus and they will inevitably lose interest.
- Inspiration from Real Life- Readers always find those characters interesting with whom they can relate to. To make your characters relatable to the readers, drawing inspiration from real life can be a good option. Apart from the surprises, your characters must have the elements that will invoke shock, pity, empathy and fear in your readers. This will not only keep them hooked, it will also make them feel included.
- Take Constructive Criticism- There are innumerable bestselling authors who have faced fifty or a hundred rejections before they made it to the top. Ask close people to read your book and ask them to give you their honest opinion. We often get carried away while writing on something we are passionate about and only readers can let us know whether something is worth reading. Therefore if someone is giving their opinion with a logical explanation, listen carefully, see if there is anything you can make better for the readers.
No matter how good your content is, sometimes getting it published becomes a really difficult job. Traditional publishers have criteria of their own therefore quite a few authors do not get the opportunity to publish with them. Again some authors are sceptical about self-publishing so they keep looking for traditional publishing houses. But there are several famous authors who have successfully self-published their books. Publishing a book takes as much patience, courage and diligence as writing a book. Make a smart choice, do not waste time, if you cannot find a publisher just go ahead and self-publish. Let the world read what you have created.
Thank you!