How I Began to Write a Book
In my early thirties, the Lord placed it on my heart to write a book. I knew the book would be about my life because of all its challenges. A memoir, I thought, would be interesting reading.
I’ve always enjoyed writing ever since secondary school. I was good at writing essays, and my teachers loved reading them. After secondary school, I didn’t pursue writing in a big way. Not until 2020, during the Covid19 pandemic lockdown, I renewed my passion for writing.
Although thoughts of the book flitted through my mind from time to time, I never made a move to start writing. Not until Marilu, an author, messaged me on Facebook and asked me to be a beta tester for her writing course.
While writing, I found I couldn’t describe scenes, and the chapters were going on and on with no real direction. It was as though I was writing an autobiography, not a memoir with a specific theme. It was then I understood writing a book to be hard. Even though Marilu guided the steps, her course was more suitable for seasoned writers, not for me, a beginner. Terms like story arc, metaphor, and simile to me were alien. Honestly, I thought after her eight-week program, I would’ve had my book in my hand. I didn’t. I needed more help to figure out this phenomenon called writing.
After finishing her program I embarked on a journey to learn to write. I took countless writing courses, joined writing groups and communities, and purchased books on writing. In the process, I connected with other writers and made accountability partners and friends. However, it was the courses at Writers Digest University that helped me to hone my writing craft. I used the writing assignments to write the stories on my heart, and after three years and nine courses, I’ve finally finished the first draft of my book.
The assignments and deadlines gave me the accountability to write. Without the deadlines, I couldn’t conjure up the discipline to sit and write. But when I did sit and write, I scribbled all day.
I write in my little home office. The room is small, approximately 10’ x 10’, with a bookshelf embedded in a nook. A tall pinewood bookshelf with glass doors is on my left, and parked on my right is a computer desk. A 32” television is in front of me only for watching BBC news in the evenings and Father Brown on Sundays. Despite having a computer desk, I relax on a sofa bed with the laptop on my lap to write.
Before hitting the keyboard, I draft on a writing pad first. That way, my words flow easier and faster. Then I get on the laptop and, barely looking at the notepad, I transfer the words. I get so immersed in the story or article I’m writing that time seems to cease. I must remind myself to get something to eat, drink, or use the bathroom. But when I’m in that writing flow, I can’t stop. I write until I’m satisfied with my draft.
We’re taught, as writers not to edit while writing. But I have my online thesaurus open, hunting for unique words to replace the mundane ones I used in my draft.
I even research while writing; to expand on an idea or to make my point clear. When done, I go back to edit for word count, sentence structure and clarity.
One of the best parts of writing for me is doing research. As a Christian writer, research is one of the best ways to get into the Word. And most of all, sharing. For me sharing my faith through writing makes sharing fun and rewarding.
Feature image by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels
