• How do I start the process of writing a book?

• Do I need to have done all my research and fact-gathering to bolster my book’s argument before I start writing?

• What’s the secret to grabbing readers right away on the first page?

• I don’t have an advanced degree like an MD or PhD, but I want to write a book about my experience with an illness and how I healed myself. Is that possible?

• What books should I be reading while I write mine?

• Do I need to have a strong social media following to sell a book?

• Which social media platforms are most effective for book marketing?

• How do I find time to write?

• When should I invite others to read and critique my work?

• How do I deal with writer’s block?

• Should I work with a book coach, professional writer, or ghostwriter?

• What are common mistakes new authors of nonfiction make?

• How do I write about a subject matter already covered in numerous other books?

How do I start the process of writing a book?

Sit down and start now! If you know what you want to write about, the biggest hurdle to clear is simply committing to the process and creating a writing schedule that’s realistic given your other obligations. No rules exist to the process other than doing what works for you. Some authors exquisitely map out their manuscripts with rigorous outlines first while others let the process take on a life of its own as they write page after page. As if you’re about to bake a loaf of artisanal bread, a good “starter kit” for a book includes: a general idea about what stories you want to tell in dispensing your advice, what research and/or case studies you intend to highlight, and what the chief takeaways are for readers. Think about hammering out a solid Table of Contents (TOC). Your TOC can change as you go, but having the bones to your book roughly mapped out can help you streamline the process. Tip: If you’re struggling to create a TOC, pretend you’re going to give a TED talk based on your ideas and expertise. How you organize that talk—and keep an audience on the edge of their seats—can inform your book’s architecture.

Do I need to have done all my research and fact-gathering to bolster my book’s argument before I start writing?

Absolutely not, and I don’t recommend it for this reason: you’re bound to fall into the trap of conducting a lot of time-consuming, energy-sucking research before you even begin writing and that will sabotage the entire endeavor. You can do your research and accumulate information as you move along. Keep in mind that your research needs will likely change, often unexpectedly, as you turn out pages. You’ll encounter plenty of detours during your process, so you don’t need a distracting diversion before you begin putting words on paper. The key is to just get started! Tip: Pick the page, scene, chapter, etc. that’s easiest to write now, tackle that first, and let the process unfold.

What’s the secret to grabbing readers right away on the first page?

Readers decide whether to continue reading a book based on the first few pages or chapters. The opening lines are especially crucial for capturing the reader’s interest and setting the tone for the rest of the book. Lure them in with an arresting, emotive story that reflects the heart of your book and main purpose for writing it. It can be an anecdote from your own life or another individual, even someone historical. Just find something that works to convey what the book is about, presents the main thesis, tells readers what they will gain, and gives them an idea of why they should listen to you. Tip: Study up on how other books in your genre begin. Read their first few pages, which you can do online at places like Amazon without having to buy anything. That first line should hook a reader. Here’s an example from James Clear’s megabestselling Atomic Habits: “On the final day of my sophomore year of high school, I was hit in the face with a baseball bat.” Now, don’t you want to read on and find out what happened to him and how this story relates with habits? And, don’t save the best for last or bury your tastiest material for deep into the book. You’d be surprised by how many people pick up a book and never finish it.

I don’t have an advanced degree like an MD or PhD, but I want to write a book about my experience with an illness and how I healed myself. Is that possible?

Anything is possible! But if you’re hoping to attract readers who will listen to your story of personal transformation and take your advice seriously, you may also want to consider having a credentialed doctor write a Foreword for you. When lawyer turned entrepreneur and research scientist James Clement wrote The Switch, a practical book for lay people that delved into the complex, scientific subject of longevity, he got Dr. George Church, a pioneering scientist at Harvard, to pen his Foreword and recommend his ideas. You can also obtain testimonials and blurbs from experts in the field who can further endorse your authority. Tip: Check out who has reviewed and lent their support of other books in your category. Keep a list of targets for when you’re ready to approach them.

What books should I be reading while I write mine?

Be well-read within the same genre that you’re writing. If you’re penning a memoir, read memoirs. If you’re writing a book about overcoming chronic pain, have a good idea of what’s already available on the subject—both seminal works that may have been published years ago to more recent books that have performed well or been highly reviewed. Tip: Carefully study other books in your genre for voice and structure. Note their style, organization, and flow. Most, if not all, books adhere to a proven formula within their genre. This simple exercise can ultimately help guide you during your own writing journey.

Do I need to have a strong social media following to sell a book?

Not necessarily. But having any following can significantly help, and it behooves all authors to continually build their platforms. You don’t need to become a megawatt influencer on TikTok or Instagram, but you’d do well to at least have some presence on some form of social media. Find a platform you’re comfortable with. While many authors cringe at the thought of engaging in social media, it’s part of our culture today and here to stay. Social media offers an easy and effective way to reach your audience, grow a community of readers, and connect with other authors, influencers, and industry professionals who can support and promote your book. Tip: Shift your mindset on the role of social media—rather than perceive it as a daunting chore, see it as an asset within the bigger basket of other strategies like traditional marketing, email campaigns, and old-fashioned word of mouth.

Which social media platforms are most effective for book marketing?

Facebook. Instagram. YouTube. TikTok. BookTok. By the time you read this, perhaps a new social media platform will have emerged. No single platform is ideal for every author. Pick one or two that you like to use but be aware of each platform’s strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Also think about your audience. Establishing a Facebook community, for example, is not the same as growing a reel-centric following on TikTok or having a YouTube channel that dispenses your wisdom—and promotes the book in tandem—via longer-form videos. Whichever social media platform you use, the key is to be engaging, authentic, and consistent. Tip: See where other authors in your genre are leveraging social media, follow them, and watch how they use these platforms to promote their works.

How do I find time to write?

Consistency is key in establishing a writing routine that works for you and your schedule. Make a nonnegotiable block of time each day during which you devote to the process. It can be just 15- 20 minutes. Set your alarm a little earlier in the morning, use your lunchtime, or designate a bedtime routine that includes quiet time for journaling. Tip: Establish a break from work at 4:00 pm for a brief jam session. This may be when you feel like you need a nap, but fatigue can fuel creativity. Studies show we can be more creative in the afternoons because being less focused and alert opens the door to thinking more creatively. Switching gears in the late afternoon for a creative powwow may be just what the doctor ordered.

When should I invite others to read and critique my work?

When you feel comfortable to do so. Be mindful of who you choose to review your work, however. People close to you may not offer true criticism and prefer to stroke your ego (e.g., only have positive things to say) rather than give honest feedback. This is when being in a writer’s group can be helpful. A writer’s group not only provides a safe space to share your writing, but its purpose is to elicit useful feedback and offer appropriate support. Tip: One of the best ways to join a writer’s group is to simply start your own!

How do I deal with writer’s block?

No such thing! Writer’s block is code for “I don’t have time to sit down and write.” You do have time if you make the commitment. Don’t feel obligated to write 10 pages of beautiful prose in a writing session. If you sit and write nothing but a paragraph to your younger self, you’ll have checked the box for the day. Writing is like exercise—you need to do it consistently. Tip: If you truly feel stuck, split up the 20 minutes you’ve devoted to the process and go for a 10-minute walk outside to think about what you can write about, and then sit for a 10-minute writing session at your computer or with a journal.

Should I work with a book coach, professional writer, or ghostwriter?

Depends on your needs and budget. Book coaches are great for people who need help in the writing process but who are good enough on their own to take the lead on writing and finishing a manuscript. Book coaches are also helpful for keeping you moving forward and on schedule. Professional writers or collaborators, on the other hand, can take the load off the writing process and work with you in ways that get the manuscript done but you’re not having to do most, if any, of the original writing. Your writer/collaborator will do that with expert knowledge about how to frame the book, conduct supporting research if necessary, and establish the right voice, tone, and flow. Ghostwriters can also be in this category, as most don’t fully “ghost” books in a vacuum—they also work with you throughout the writing process. All these experts, however, do come with costs. The most successful collaborators and ghostwriters can charge high five, sometimes six figures while book coaches will work like therapists, charging by the hour. Tip: If you do choose to work with someone, make sure you’ve got good chemistry and are on the same page, so to speak, about the vision for your book. Before you commit to hiring someone for the whole process, spend a few paid hours of time working together to confirm you will be comfortable. If you’re not, find someone else—it’s okay to make a change.

What are common mistakes new authors of nonfiction make?

Here are the top 10:

1.     Poor structure, flow, and inconsistent voice, point of view, and tone.

2.     Too much technical jargon or academic language.

3.     Poor grammar and punctuation (plenty of tools are available now to check our work).

4.     Not keeping your target audience in mind and not tailoring content to their needs.

5.     Thinking your first draft is final (it won’t be).

6.     Ignoring feedback from editors and other readers.

7.     Unrealistic expectations (it takes a lot to sell a lot of books!).

8.     Not reading enough in your genre or beyond to know how you’ll stand out.

9.     Neglecting book publicity and marketing (I’ll say it again: it takes a lot to sell a lot of books!).

10.  Choosing the wrong publishing route. 

Tip: Don’t wait too long to share some of your work with others you can trust to give honest feedback, including those with an editorial eye. Early feedback on your writing prowess and style will help you carry on to the end of the manuscript.

How do I write about a subject matter already covered in numerous other books?

If you feel like the book you want to write has already been written, join the club. An old joke in publishing says that everything has already been written, but how an author decides to put the spin on the topic, stylize the language, and use unique examples or anecdotes along the way is how you write a distinctive manuscript. Pick any genre and you’ll find plenty of books that contain similar themes, conclusions, and takeaways. But each book has its own special flavor and voice. Sometimes, multiple books within the same category perform strongly because readers want to devour every title on the subject matter. Don’t be intimidated by worries that you’re writing in a crowded topic area. Focus on what you can bring to the conversation. You might have to rely on the same seminal studies, historical notes, and definitions that are found in other works, but how you present them within the context of your book—and your voice and personal stories—are what shape a standalone body of work. Tip: Also keep in mind that a book that offers a fresh perspective, new science or thinking on old problems, and knowledge that captivates, goes against conventional wisdom or otherwise gets readers to ask different questions will most definitely leap out and attract readers.