So You Want to Write a Book: Here’s How to Begin

You’ve probably heard “write what you know,” but I prefer “write what you love.” Your passion for your genre will show in your writing. For me, that meant embracing both romance and children’s literature. Don’t feel confined to one genre — if your creativity spans multiple categories, embrace it!

Sometimes one name isn’t enough. I write spicy romance as A.J. Strickland, sweet romance as Alicia Jane, historical romance as HEARD Crittenden, and children’s books as Allie Jay.

Each pen name creates clear expectations for readers. Consider whether your genres might benefit from different identities.

Who are you writing for? This goes beyond age groups or genres. For instance, my romance readers want to escape into love stories where they can imagine themselves as the heroine. My children’s book readers (or their parents) want engaging stories that entertain while teaching valuable lessons.

No need to get overwhelmed here. Start by reading extensively in your chosen genre(s). Notice what readers love, what they critique, and current trends. Check out similar books’ reviews — they’re goldmines of reader preferences. Search Amazon. See what’s popular amid genres and subgenres.

But if that’s too technical for you, you could always do what I do: write what you read. Yep. That’s my secret. I write the books that I, as a reader, would enjoy reading.

I enjoy romance, but I also enjoy mysteries, adventures, historical settings, and fantasies. Which means, though all my books are romances, the subgenres explore my love of other things.

So… if you can’t put down what you write, chances are good that other readers with your love of the genre won’t be able to either.

You don’t need a fancy office, but you do need a dedicated space. Mine started as a corner of my daybed with paper and pen. (It’s true. At that time, my computer was busted, so I was relegated to writing Jane Austen style!)

The key is having somewhere that signals “it’s writing time” to your brain. Make it comfortable and inspiring — I now have a dedicated home office filled research books, artwork, and knickknacks that make me happy and foster creativity.

Trust me on this one — organize your files from day one! Create separate folders for drafts, research, and marketing materials. Back everything up (I learned this the hard way). I use cloud storage and external drives because losing your work is heartbreaking.

Start with the basics:

Begin with small, achievable goals. Maybe it’s writing for 30 minutes daily or completing one chapter a week. The key is consistency. Remember, every published author started exactly where you are — with a blank page and a dream.

Now that you’re thinking about becoming a writer, your next big decision awaits: Who are you writing for? In my next post, we’ll explore the key differences between writing for adults and children, helping you make this crucial choice about your writing journey.