Writing Archives - Doug Franklin Books

Write A Book About What? You want to write a book but you're confused asking yourself, "But write a book about what?" Or If You're Impatient For Proof Jump Down HERE You may also be asking, "Why the hell should I care? You're some dude on the interwebs" - Two simultaneous Global Kindle Store best sellers maybe? Have no fear! Doug is here! Keep reading and you can see much of the method to the madness. And photo proof we held best seller rank. Or If You're Impatient For Proof Jump Down HERE My Embarrassing Writing Story For The Day: Saturday I was talking to another senior BJJ guy. And made a comment, "Yeah, the other day I was looking at my work. I wanted to link a book to that Character Prompts blog I published Friday. And could not find one of my books." He looked shocked and asked, "Really? Did you lose a book? How did that happen?" I sighed and admitted, "No. I realized that I goofed while I was looking for it on my list of published stuff! I finished writing the book, and just forgot to publish it." Yeah, I felt pretty embarrassed and pretty much like a dork! I have so many high-content books written that I forgot to publish the one I was mentioning. I have two OTHER books on administrative hold while I organize my publishing foundation. More Too Writing Than Just Hitting 'Publish': There is a lot more to publishing your books than just slapping a keyboard until you have filled a few pages! Each step along the way is a whole new skill set that you will need to learn and eventually master if you want to become long-term successful. The absolute first step is when you answer the question, "Hum, I'm going to write a book about what?" I want to write a book, where do I start Writing a book is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. It also requires dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Here is a simple guide to further you embark on your literary journey: Find Your Inspiration: What sparks your imagination? What stories have captivated you? What topics are you passionate about? Identifying your sources of inspiration will fuel your writing process and guide your creative direction. Brainstorm and Develop Ideas: Jot down any thoughts, ideas, characters, plot points, or settings that come to mind. Don't worry about perfection at this stage; let your imagination run wild. Use mind maps, character sketches, or storyboards to visualize your ideas. Choose a Genre: Decide what genre best suits your story. Do you want to write a fantasy adventure, a gripping mystery, a heartwarming romance, or an insightful self-help guide? Selecting a genre will help you refine your focus and target your audience. Craft a Compelling Outline: An outline provides a roadmap for your story, ensuring a cohesive narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Break down your plot into chapters, outlining key events, conflicts, and character developments. Develop Your Characters: We hit this hard Friday with Character Prompts! Create well-rounded characters that readers can relate to and care about. Give them distinct personalities, motivations, backstories, and flaws. Make their choices and actions believable and consistent with their personalities. Establish a Setting: Immerse your readers in a vivid and believable setting. Describe the time period, location, atmosphere, and any unique or fantastical elements. Use sensory details to bring the setting to life. Write Your First Draft: Don't strive for perfection at this stage. Just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. Allow yourself to write freely and explore different directions. You can always refine and polish your work later. Seek Feedback: Share your work with trusted friends, fellow writers, or beta readers to gain valuable insights and constructive criticism. Their feedback can help identify areas for improvement and strengthen your overall story. Revise and Edit: Once you've received feedback, take the time to revise and edit your manuscript. Polish the prose, eliminate inconsistencies, tighten the plot, and ensure your characters' actions align with their personalities. Seek Publication or Self-Publishing: Decide whether you want to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing. Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to literary agents or publishers, while self-publishing gives you more control over the process. Market Your Book: Once your book is published, actively promote it to your target audience. Utilize social media platforms, engage with online communities, and consider author events or book signings. Remember, when you write a book about what you want it is a journey, not a destination. The writing is also the first step in the process. You need to enjoy the process. That will help you embrace the challenges, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. How can I start writing a book? Here are some tips on how to start organizing your thoughts to begin the process of writing a book: Brainstorm and jot down all your ideas: Don't worry about organizing or editing at this stage. Just get all your thoughts down on paper or into a digital document. Once you have a good list of ideas, start to group them into categories or themes. This will help you to see the overall structure of your book and start to develop a plot. Create a character map or list of characters. This will help you to flesh out your characters and their motivations. Develop a timeline of events. This will help you to sequence the events of your story and make sure that everything makes sense. Write an outline of your book. This will give you a roadmap to follow as you write and help you to stay on track. Keep In Mind While Starting: Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you start to organize your thoughts for your book: Don't be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing a book. Try different things and see what works best for you. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they're writing. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're stuck, don't be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or writing coach. I hope these tips help you to start organizing your thoughts and begin the process of writing your book! Once you have a good foundation, you can start to write your first draft. Don't worry about making it perfect at this stage. Just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. You can always edit and revise your work later. The most important thing is to just start writing. Don't wait until you have everything perfect. Just start writing and see where your creativity takes you. What are good things to write a book about? Writing a book is a wonderful way to share your creativity with the world. It can be a daunting task, but it is also a very rewarding one. There are many different things you can write about, so it can be hard to decide where to start. But remember, the most important thing is to write about something that you are passionate about. Write about something you love. If you are passionate about a particular topic, it will show in your writing. Your enthusiasm will be contagious, and your readers will be drawn to your story. Write about something you know well. If you are an expert on a particular subject, you can share your knowledge with your readers. This can be a great way to help others learn and grow. Write about something that is meaningful to you. If you have a personal experience that has shaped your life, you can write about it in a way that will resonate with others. Write about something that is unique to you. Your voice and perspective are valuable, so don't be afraid to share your unique take on the world. Write about something that is fun. Writing should be an enjoyable experience, so choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in. General Book Topics List: Here are some great category topics to begin stimulating your interest in what to write a book about: Fiction Fantasy: Explore magical worlds, mythical creatures, and epic battles. These are books like Razormouth and All Hallows. Adalbern & Razormouth Science fiction: Venture into the future, encounter extraterrestrial life, and grapple with technological advancements. The first series published was Guardsman 1-3 back in 2011. We hung onto the best-seller rank there for quite some time! 2x Kindle Store Top 100! Mystery: Unravel intriguing puzzles, chase elusive clues, and expose hidden truths. Thriller: Keep readers on the edge of their seats with suspenseful plots, high-stakes conflicts, and unexpected twists. Romance: Capture the hearts of readers with heartwarming love stories, passionate encounters, and overcoming obstacles. Non-fiction Self-help: Provide practical advice, inspiring stories, and effective strategies for personal growth and development. History: Delve into the past, explore significant events, and uncover forgotten tales. Science: Explain complex concepts, showcase groundbreaking discoveries, and ignite curiosity about the natural world. Memoir: Share your personal experiences, offer insights into your life journey, and connect with readers on an emotional level. Business: Offer guidance on entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, and achieving financial success, or build your book as a business lead magnet. Other ideas Children's books: Create imaginative stories, teach valuable lessons, and spark a love of reading in young minds. Cookbooks: Share recipes, cooking techniques, and culinary insights to tantalize taste buds. Travel guides: Provide insider tips, recommendations, and cultural insights for travelers exploring new destinations. Poetry: Express emotions, capture fleeting moments and paint vivid imagery through words. Screenplays: Craft compelling narratives, develop engaging characters, and bring stories to life on the big screen. Remember, the best book topics are those that ignite your passion, inspire your creativity, and resonate with your target audience. How do I write a book with no experience? Writing a book without prior experience can be a daunting task. It is certainly achievable with dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. Miyamoto Musashi was one of the most dangerous swordsmen to ever live. A true warrior-poet, he answered this question best: Miyamoto Musashi - It May Seem Difficult At First But Everything Is Difficult At First (I bought The Book of Five Rings on Audible months ago, but right now, at the time of writing it is free with the Audible program I'm on. It's pretty Great!) Doug's Audible - Miyamoto Musashi - The Book of Five Rings Here are some tips on how to overcome your lack of experience and successfully write your book: Embrace the learning process: Approach writing your book as a journey of learning and growth. There will be challenges and setbacks along the way, but view them as opportunities to improve your craft. Read extensively in your chosen genre: Immerse yourself in books that you enjoy and that are similar to the type of book you want to write. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the conventions, styles, and expectations of your chosen genre. Practice writing regularly: The more you write, the more comfortable and confident you will become. Set aside time each day or week to write, even if it's just for a short period. Seek feedback from others: Share your work with trusted friends, family members, or writing groups to get their feedback. This will help you identify areas where you can improve and refine your writing. Join writing communities or workshops: Connect with other aspiring writers through online or in-person communities. This can provide you with support, encouragement, and valuable insights from fellow writers. Utilize writing resources: Take advantage of online writing tutorials, books on writing techniques, and grammar guides to enhance your skills and gain a deeper understanding of the craft. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Mistakes are inevitable in the writing process. Embrace them as learning opportunities and use them to refine your skills. Celebrate your progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small they may seem. This will keep you motivated and focused on your goals. Seek professional guidance if needed: Consider working with a writing coach or editor who can provide personalized feedback and support to help you elevate your writing. Remember, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, enjoy the process, and never give up on your dream of becoming a published author. Book Ideas For Teenage Writers Here is a nice big list of book ideas for teenage writers to write a book about what you want: Fiction Dystopian Future: Imagine a world where society has taken a dark turn, and explore the challenges and struggles of ordinary people living under oppressive regimes or technological advancements gone awry. Combating Dystopian Regimes: Challenge the oppressive forces of a dystopian society, fighting for freedom, individuality, and a better future. Fantasy Adventure: Create a magical world filled with mythical creatures, enchanted lands, and ancient prophecies. Follow the journey of young heroes who must overcome obstacles, discover hidden powers, and save their world from evil forces. Mystery and Suspense: Craft a thrilling tale filled with puzzles, twists, and unexpected turns. Follow a young detective or amateur sleuth as they unravel secrets, uncover hidden truths, and bring justice to those who have been wronged. Coming-of-Age Story: Capture the essence of teenage life, exploring themes of identity, friendship, love, and self-discovery. Follow a protagonist as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, face personal challenges, and find their place in the world. Sci-fi Thriller: Explore the wonders and perils of the future, where technology has advanced beyond our wildest dreams. Follow the adventures of young protagonists who encounter advanced gadgets, encounter extraterrestrial life, or face the consequences of scientific breakthroughs. Journeying to Magical Worlds: Explore fantastical realms, encounter mythical creatures, and uncover hidden powers in a world of magic and wonder. Embarking on Interstellar Voyages: Travel through the cosmos, encounter extraterrestrial life, and grapple with the challenges of space exploration. Unveiling Ancient Prophecies: Uncover forgotten prophecies and their significance in the present, leading to epic quests and battles for power. Discovering Technological Breakthroughs: Explore the impact of groundbreaking technological advancements on society, leading to both utopian and dystopian scenarios. Non-fiction Personal Memoir: Share your own experiences and insights into teenage life, addressing issues that resonate with young readers. Write about overcoming personal challenges, discovering your passions, or navigating the ups and downs of adolescence. Social Commentary: Explore social issues that are relevant to teenagers, such as bullying, mental health, diversity, or environmental concerns. Use your writing to raise awareness, promote understanding, and inspire positive change. A Self-Help Guide for Teenagers: Offer practical advice and strategies for navigating the challenges of teenage life, such as managing stress, setting goals, building self-esteem, or dealing with peer pressure. Creative Exploration: Share your passion for a particular creative field, such as art, music, writing, or photography. Provide tips, techniques, and inspiration to encourage other teenagers to explore their creativity. Historical Perspective: Research and write about a historical event or era that has shaped the world we live in today. Present a unique perspective on a well-known event or shed light on lesser-known historical figures. Self-Discovery and Coming-of-Age Stories Navigating Identity: Explore the challenges and triumphs of discovering one's identity, including sexuality, gender, race, or cultural background. Facing Personal Struggles: Delve into the experiences of overcoming personal struggles such as family issues, mental health challenges, or societal pressures. Finding Your Voice: Capture the journey of a character finding their voice and expressing themselves authentically, whether through art, music, activism, or any other medium. Unconventional Friendships: Showcase the power of unlikely friendships and the impact they have on personal growth and self-acceptance. Chasing Dreams and Passions: Follow a character's pursuit of their passions, whether it's music, sports, writing, or any other creative endeavor. Thrilling Mysteries and Suspenseful Stories Unraveling Secrets: Uncover hidden secrets, buried truths, and dark family histories that lead to suspenseful twists and turns. Solving Unexplained Mysteries: Investigate unexplained phenomena, paranormal occurrences, or unsolved crimes that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Uncovering Hidden Agendas: Scooby-Doo taught us that in the end, the real monsters are always human. Explore the motives and hidden agendas of characters, leading to thrilling chases, unexpected confrontations, and suspenseful revelations. Unmasking the Villain: Follow the protagonist's journey to identify and expose the villains, unraveling their web of deceit and bringing them to justice. Surviving Psychological Thrillers: Immerse readers in a world of psychological tension, manipulation, and mind games that challenge the protagonist's sanity and grip. Romance, Love, and Relationships First Love and Heartbreak: Capture the whirlwind of emotions and experiences of first love, including its joys, challenges, and heartbreak. Navigating Relationship Dilemmas: Explore the complexities of relationships, including friendship, family ties, and romantic entanglements. Overcoming Love Triangles and Unrequited Love: Delve into the emotional turmoil of love triangles and the challenges of unrequited love. Discovering Soulmates and True Love: Follow a character's journey to find their soulmate, overcome obstacles, and finding true love. Facing Relationship Challenges and Growing Together: Explore the growth and resilience of relationships in the face of challenges, including cultural differences, communication barriers, or personal struggles. Social Commentary and Current Issues Addressing Social Injustices: Raise awareness about social injustices, such as discrimination, prejudice, or poverty, through compelling storytelling. Exploring Environmental Concerns: Delve into the impact of environmental issues on individuals, communities, and the planet. Promoting Mental Health Awareness: Address the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open dialogue about mental health challenges. Exploring Political Issues and Activism: Examine the impact of political decisions on individuals and society, showcasing the power of activism and social change. Bridging Cultural Differences and Fostering Understanding: Promote cultural understanding and empathy through stories that highlight the richness of diverse perspectives. How To Start Writing A Book About Your Own Life? Writing a book about your own life, also known as a memoir, can be a deeply personal and rewarding experience. The process of writing about your own life is very similar to the normal process with only some minor tweaks. Here are some steps to help you get started: Self-reflection and introspection: Take some time to reflect on your life journey, identifying key moments, experiences, and relationships that have shaped you. Consider what you want to share with your readers and the overall message you want to convey. Gathering memories and materials: Gather old photos, diaries, school records, or any other mementos that can help you recall specific details and emotions from your past. These can serve as valuable prompts for your writing. Choosing a narrative style: Decide on the narrative style that best suits your story. Will you write it in chronological order, in a thematic manner, or in a more non-linear approach? The narrative style should align with the message you want to convey. Creating an outline: Develop a loose outline that provides a framework for your story. Identify the major events, characters, and themes you want to cover. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a cohesive narrative. Starting with a compelling opening: Capture the reader's attention from the very beginning. Start with a vivid scene, an intriguing question, or a powerful statement that sets the tone for your story. Honesty and authenticity: Be honest and authentic in your storytelling. Share your experiences, emotions, and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment. This will make your story more relatable and impactful. Balancing personal and universal themes: While sharing your personal experiences, find ways to connect them to universal themes that resonate with a wider audience. This will make your memoir more relatable and engaging. Seeking feedback and critique: Share your work with trusted friends, family members, or writing groups to gain feedback and constructive criticism. Their insights can help you identify areas for improvement and strengthen your overall story. Finding your voice and style: As you write, let your unique voice and style shine through. Don't be afraid to experiment with language, imagery, and narrative techniques to find your authentic voice as a writer. Enjoy the process: Writing a memoir is a journey of self-discovery and creative expression. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your progress, and enjoy the process of sharing your story with the world. Memoirs, A Personal Journey: Remember, writing a memoir is a personal journey, so don't feel pressured to conform to expectations or fit into a particular genre. Let your story unfold naturally and authentically, and your readers will connect with the genuine voice and experiences you share. Now, as a word of caution, you should make sure that you are writing about what you know. That means that even in fiction it helps to include a little bit of yourself and your experiences. Also, remember that when you start to embellish your story, you add Bias to your own writing. We had some fun writing about Bias the other day. Dig into that post and you will see some of the pitfalls you face. At some point, it will become something other than an honest memoir. If you want, it IS your story, you can, if you would like rewrite your life as a fictional account. Then you can one-punch knock out King Kong on Tuesday. And then defend against an alien invasion if you want on Wednesday. Or you can take your life down some alternate decision line. A FINAL Note On Memoirs: Whenever you are writing and including OTHER LIVING OR DEAD PEOPLE, you NEED to be accurate AND get permission for the book. Otherwise, they or their heirs can later cry foul and create legal trouble for you! Be VERY careful of the slippery slope to Slander. And be mindful of the trademark issues of working with recognized brands. An older friend of mine, Frank Urbanic, was a Boy Scout in Galveston. Frank wrote, "We Were Prepared". He participated in the search and rescue around a fertilizer ship that exploded and killed ALL his childhood friends. He had not finished his chores, and his mother did not let him go to see the burning ship. The blast wiped out everyone in the harbor area. He could not write his book without express written permission from the Boy Scouts of America. And the other people he mentioned in the book. He lived it but did not have exclusive rights to the story. You need to be VERY careful when you are talking about other people in your writing. That is one reason I prefer fiction. How to Write a Book and Get It Published: Writing a book about what you want is almost the easy part! The publication efforts are a whole additional skill set. Before publication, you need to make sure that you have done proper editing and formatting. At 3850+ words right now, we will defer the Publication part. That will come at a later post. If You Would Like: If you would like, please feel free to look around at a few of the different delivery methods we are using here. That might give you a few ideas. Our master Books list is HERE. You can also see the direct sales delivery method through our on-site store. We hope that this was informative and helped you on your writing quest. More will follow later. Have a great day!