Hey there!
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Welcome to my world of writing!
Congratulations on taking the first step in sharing your words with the world.
And it’s an honor to help with your process.
First, know I am no one special.
Just a scribe with a passion for words and thought.
Please know this is just my version of an art that has been mastered by so many others.
Feel free to pick and choose what works best for you.
Okay, let’s do this!
I have two principles:
“Just write” and “It doesn’t take all your coins!”
What do I mean?
It’s simple …
I. “Just Write”:
The key to writing is to simply write!
Don’t worry about grammar when you start, save that for your first edits.
This is how I do things:
1. Decide and answer:
“What are you are trying to say?”
“What is ultimately the message you want to convey?”
2. Brainstorm your ideas that capture your message. They will become your chapters.
3. Keep it simple.
8-12 chapters for a book that is not a romance novel or textbook.
Inspirational reads and self-help books should be moderate in length.
4. Keep chapters an average of 3,000-5,000 words each.
Make sure they are synchronized. So, if you do one at 3,000, stay with that for all.
5. Put “YOU” in your writing.
It should show your personality and be descriptive. Minimal slang, but keep it true to you.
Example:
“Love is like the Miss Pearl that everyone knows. She is always watching and waiting to be all up in somebody’s business. Sure, some may call her “gurl,” while others call her “gurl bye;” but all can be sure to call her something at some point in life. Depending on how well acquainted; depends on how well you are received. Miss Pearl tells no lies. If you are good to her, she will be good to you. But please understand, the opposite is true too. Oh yes, Miss Pearl is like the love that everyone knows, even if everyone is not well acquainted. “
You get me?
6. Try to include dialogue where you bring characters to life.
Give examples, testimonials, and/or activities.
Providing space for the reader to dialogue about questions or journaling is always good.
Make it interactive.
7. Choose a book that is similar to what you are looking to write and see their format.
I chose “Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie Omartian and “The Agenda of Angels” by Dr. Kevin Zadai to mirror my format.
I kept what I liked and changed what I did not.
This includes where to put blank pages, foreword, preface, contents, cite page, etc.
You can do whatever you want…it’s your book!
Edits:
1. Freelance your first chapter. Say what you want to say. Then go back and review what you said.
Does it capture what you brainstormed?
Keep it to that main thought.
Example:
Chapter 1 = brainstorm thought
Brainstormed thought = “A tough few years after a divorce.”
Chapter 1 title = “The Trying Years”
2. Spell check and grammar. Do your best and use online resources.
3. Identify a well-spoken, grammatically conscious friend or colleague you trust to proof read.
Have them use the comment tool in Word (or equivalent) to make corrections.
That way, you can see if the error was intentional to express personality.
4. Review and make the changes.
5. Send to the editor.
II.“It doesn’t take all your coins!“:
You can self publish through Kindle Direct Publishing by Amazon. I encourage you to read through it and see all that it offers.
They also offer self-creating covers with templates and generic images, but you can also upload your own.
I recommend going through local or independent graphic designers.
You can also go to Unsplash to find free images that you can use for backgrounds.
My editor is J.J. Murray and he is awesome! He is affordable and great at what he does!
You can email your request for editing through his website.
http://www.johnjeffreymurray.com
Go to the link below and it will give you all the templates.
Paperback Manuscript Templates
I recommend 6×9 but that is a question you can ask the editor.
Lastly, I recommend copyright your work.
There are many resources online, but I use eCO, Electronic Copyright Office.
I recommend it because its easy, affordable, and gives you peace of mind over the security of your work.
It will also register your work with the Library of Congress, which at the very least, is pretty cool!
This should get you started and of course I am alway here to answer any questions!
Email me or comment here …
Good luck and happy writing!
Blessings,
Minister Marquia S. Green
Christian Apologist. Author. Speaker.
Founder God’sInk Ladies Tea Time Women’s Faith Group Adelphé Ministries marquia@gods-ink.com
“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who ask for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
