This week I had a meet and greet at the community college where I’ll be teaching a series of book publishing courses in the spring. The meet and greet was awesome! It was a great chance for students interested in the course to swing by, meet their instructor, and ask any questions they may have. I had some really cool chats with registered students. We talked about their current manuscripts and where they were in the process. Even though my courses aren’t specifically about “book writing,” I thought it’d be a solid idea to share a to-do-list of things you should think about as you’re getting ready to tackle your first draft. I take all of these into account as well.

Writing a book can be a challenging and overwhelming task, but with a plan in place, you can make the process smoother and more manageable. To help you get started, here’s a book writing to-do list:

1. Choose a topic: Decide on a subject that you’re passionate about and that you think will resonate with readers.
2. Develop an outline: Create an outline for your book, including chapters, main points, and any research you need to conduct. Create your book writing strategic plan and work it!
3. Set a writing schedule: Determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to writing each day or week, and create a schedule that works for you. The key word here is “realistically.” We all have busy schedules. Identify the best times for you to write.
4. Write a first draft: Start writing your book, using your outline as a guide. Don’t worry about making it perfect – just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. Side note: I love outlines, but it’s also ok to let your story develop organically. I’ll write a new post on this subject soon so you can compare both strategies!
5. Revise and edit: Once you’ve completed your first draft, go back and revise and edit it. Look for areas where you can improve the structure, flow, and language of your book. Be your own writing coach. Identify areas where you can add more!
6. Get feedback: Share your book with beta readers or a writing group to get feedback and constructive criticism. Read our post on having an accountability partner.
7. Hire a professional editor: Consider hiring a professional editor to review your book and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. Need an editor? Contact us today!

By following this to-do list, you’ll be well on your way to writing and publishing a successful book.