Start Here

Begin Here

How to Start Writing a Book When You Feel Completely Lost

Big Picture Overview

The Five Stages of Writing and Publishing a Book

Below are five core “Pillar” areas—just focus on the area that will help you most right now.

Scroll down past “Five Pillars” to find the latest articles. I hope they will be of help to you!

Five Pillars

1. How to Start Writing a Book
2. How to Design a Story That Works
3. How to Write the First Draft of a Novel
4. How to Fix a Story That Isn’t Working
5. How to Publish Your Book

Pillar Guide 1

How to Start Writing a Book

• How to Find the Heart of Your Story
• How to Turn a Story Idea into a Novel Premise
• Diagnosing a Weak Premise
• How to Know if Your Story Idea Is Strong Enough
• Four Questions That Reveal a Strong Story
• Why Your Story Feels Flat

Pillar Guide 2

How to Design a Story That Works

• How to Create Characters Who Naturally Drive the Story
• Conflict: The Engine That Moves Your Story
• Building Stakes That Actually Matter
• Internal vs External Conflict in Fiction
• How Internal and External Conflict Work Together
• The Power of Turning Points in Storytelling
• How Turning Points Shape Story Structure

Pillar Guide 3

How to Write the First Draft of a Novel

• Discovery Writing vs Outlining
• Discovery Writing Without Getting Lost
• What to Do When You Don’t Know What Happens Next
• How to Write Through the Messy Middle
• Maintaining Momentum When Writing

Pillar Guide 4

How to Fix a Story That Isn’t Working

• Why Stories Break (and How to Diagnose the Problem)
• How to Diagnose a Sagging Middle
• How to Strengthen the Middle During Revision
• Plot Repair Thinking
• Plot Repair: Fixing a Story That Isn’t Working

Pillar Guide 5

How to Publish Your Book

• Preparing a Manuscript for Print and Ebook
• Choosing Categories That Help Readers Find Your Book
• Understanding ISBNs
• Understanding Retailer Discounts at IngramSpark