The Journey of a Novice Writer

When I started this journey of writing my first book, I was excited. I sat down at my desk, opened my laptop, put my fingers on the keys, and my mind went blank. My mind was racing to find the first word. After a few seconds, I typed the word "The." I knew it was going to be challenging, but I had no idea what was coming after that first word.

I remembered reading somewhere that when you have writer's block to just type. So, I started typing, but after a minute, I stopped because I had typed nonsense. How was I going to start? I decided I would make an outline of my story to help me. How hard could that be on a subject I knew well. It turned out to be very hard, the hardest thing I had ever started.

I was determined to succeed. I had waited too many years to give up on my dream of becoming a writer when I retired. It was time to get busy and create a plan of action.

What was my end goal? I wanted to publish and sell my book. I started my list with what I thought was obvious, write my book. Later, I discovered it wasn't exactly first. My subject matter was important, even though I had to write it as fiction, based on true events, my true events. Names, dates, and locations were not needed in my story because of the subject matter.

Since I wanted to sell my book, I knew I needed to promote while I was writing. Promoting means advertising to create a following so when my book was published, I was not a total stranger. Because I was on a limited budget, I decided to create a website and advertise with Facebook. Social media and SEO became my new best friends once I understood the power they had in promoting my book.

In the end, my list looked something close to the following:

1. Join Facebook to grow following and advertise

2. Learn about social media, Facebook and Twitter to start; what is it exactly (this should have been the first item)

3. Create a website and learn SEO and what it's used for

4. Create branding to use for website, book cover, business cards and everything else related

5. Talk about your subject matter of your book to anyone who will listen to test drive the concept and give them your business card

6. Research self-publishing and costs

7. Decide on which charity to give 10% and get involved with the charity you choose after book is released

8. Write your book while doing the above and edit, edit, and edit some more, then edit again

9. Self-publish

10. While promoting your book wherever you're allowed to read, remember to smile and be positive, and begin a list for writing your second book.

I am a novice writer and after 10 months, numbers one through six are under control. I'm still researching which charity or organization to donate to. I'm still writing my book and have some followers who want to purchase from my website when my book is self-published in four months.

My second book should be easier. I'll have to wait and find out if that is true. This story is fiction, based on true events. I know I should do a lot more editing on this little story, but I have to get back to number eight on my list because I have people waiting for my book.

What have I learned so far? I've learned to never underestimate the power of a list with a goal, and I use it for everything I deem important to accomplish. I will succeed.