Picture it, stepping into a cozy coffee shop in the middle of a rainy British Columbia afternoon, with warm glowing wooden floors, colourful wallpaper, and mismatched cushions on the squishy sofas. You’re there to work on your book – whatever else happens, you’ll be writing all afternoon!
But what is a book? How can you write one? Is it a real thing? How long does it take to write one? Can you write one about your travels to Italy? Can you write one about growing up in Yorkshire? Can you even write one about coffee?
Here, we answer these questions and more, explaining everything you need to know about writing a book – from choosing a name to structuring your content – and providing some expert tips along the way.
What is A Book?
A book is a collection of written, spoken, or visual elements that are presented in a systematic order to accomplish a specific purpose. It can be anything from a how-to-cook-pancakes recipe to an account of a great adventure to a self-help guide on how to improve your life. In literary terms, a book is often described as a novel, a collection of short stories, or a memoir.
While the form and function of books can vary, they all share a common set of characteristics. Books are generally written in prose, and they are generally interactive. That is, the reader is expected to engage with the text in some way and take some sort of action as a result.
Why should you write a book?
There are many excellent reasons to write a book, but here are just a few.
- To entertain or inform
- To resolve a problem or debate
- To inspire others
- To make money
If you’re looking for quick and easy money, you might want to consider doing some freelance work. Write something for fun (even if it’s a short story), and eventually you’ll find yourself with a body of work. Once you do, it’s time to market yourself as a writer.
How long does it take to write a book?
This really depends on how big of a book you’re writing and whether you’re working on it full-time or part-time. It can be a slow process, however, I would not call it quick. It takes a lot of patience.
For a coffee-table book, for example, you’ll need to write the entire book – including the front and backmatter – by the end of the year. If you’re writing for more of a general audience, it’ll likely take you two to three years. More complex books – such as a novel – can take even longer. It’s a good idea to set aside some serious blocks of time each week, just to keep on top of things. Writing a book is not something you can do in a few hours every now and then.
Can you write a book about…
The sky is the limit when it comes to the topics you can write about in a book. Everything is fair game, as long as it’s interesting, relevant, and not too personal. It is essential, however, that you find your topic before you start writing. Once you do, the rest follows easily. You’ll quickly discover that there are many ways of expressing yourself, and the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. This is especially important if you want to write a historical fiction or non-fiction book. It’s always better to go for accuracy rather than make things up, and in some cases, this can be very difficult. Make sure you’re not lying about any of the events, people, places, or things mentioned in your book. Even if it’s a novelization, you’ll still need to be able to back up your claims with evidence. If you’re not sure where to start, ask a librarian or do some research online. There are plenty of places you can find information, even if you don’t own a computer or have access to one. If you want to write about coffee, for example, you’ll need to consider which coffee shop you frequented as a child. This is important, as you’ll need to be able to back up your claims with evidence. If you’re not sure where to start, make a note of where you sat, what music was playing, and any other information that might help pinpoint the location. Think of the kinds of things you experienced there, and you’ll be able to create a unique connection with your readers. The same goes for any other restaurant, bar, or coffee shop you might write about.
Are you a good writer?
If you’re reading this, the answer is most likely yes. You might not always feel like you are, but inside you probably know that you have the ability to communicate ideas and stories well. The problem is, you might not yet know what your perfect job is. It’s always a good idea to put yourself in the shoes of a reader and ask yourself, is this book going to help them? Does it solve a problem? Are the characters likeable? Will they keep reading?
If you’re writing a book for children, be careful not to use too many adult themes and language. The last thing you want is for a parent to come across your book and be completely bewildered by what they’re reading. In addition to that, try to write in first person. It’ll make the narrative easier to follow for the reader, and it’ll add a personal element that will make the story that much more interesting. If you’re writing for a general audience, third person is usually a good option, as it’ll make it easier for the reader to relate to the events and people in the story.
Book Cover Design
A book cover is among the most important parts of the book, as it will be the first impression that the reader gets of your book. Before you start working on your book, take some time to think of different ways of presenting it. Do you want to do a beautiful painting on the cover? Do you want to go with a standard photograph, or would you rather try your hand at graphic design? Remember, the cover of your book is there to sell it. If you want to create a striking image that will make people curious about your book, try brainstorming with a designer or artist friend. If you have a clear idea of what you want, but lack the skill to make it happen, online tools like Canva can help you put your ideas into words quickly and easily. With Canva you can create a professional-looking cover in no time at all. Just remember: the cover is only as good as your content inside. A poorly written book will still have a poor-looking cover. You have to put in the effort to make sure that everything is perfect.
Coffee, Tea, or Alcohol?
If you want to write about coffee, you’ll need to consider what type you drank. If you had a rich and complex childhood experience with coffee, you might want to consider using it as a focal point for your book. You could start by setting the scene. In a few sentences, tell the reader what they’ll need to know about the coffee shop or coffee farm you frequented as a child. This will help establish a connection with your audience. If you’re a strong coffee lover, you might even consider writing a whole coffee-themed book. People often associate coffee with intelligence and success. If you want to prove them wrong, write a book about how to make the perfect cup of coffee!
Coffee is a subject that’s always relevant, and as a result, you’ll always have a ready market for your work. If you want to write about tea, you might want to consider using it as an ingredient in a recipe. While there is definitely a market for such a book, it’ll be a bit more of a niche product. You could also do a combination book, where you write about both coffee and tea, using each as a basis for an entire chapter. This is a good option if you want to get a bit of everything into your book. If you want to write about alcohol, you might want to consider doing so in a humorous way. Have fun with it!