OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Many people want to write a book, but sometimes they just don't know what to write about. There may be so many options, or no inspiration at all.
You also need to consider how you are going to write:
- Decide your market and your goal and write into that niche. This is the best way if you are intending to make money, or you have an audience already. For example, if you have a business to do with communications, you could write a book that promotes your business expertise. Or you decide to be the next Stephen King and write into the horror genre. My next book “From Idea to Book” is aimed at this self-publishing, POD and self-promotion market for authors.
- Write what you feel like writing about and shape the material later. Write what interests you and keeps you interested for months on end. Write what you love, and edit later. Write what you need to write and find a market later. My first book “How to Enjoy Your Job” was written this way. I wrote out of passion, and now I am finding a market for it.
“What are you going to write about? Anything you damn well want. Anything at all…as long as you tell the truth”
If you need some help with ideas, try the following sites for creative idea generation:
- 110 resources for creative minds (Skelliewag.org)
- 100 useful web tools for writers – Collegedegrees.com (including a section on finding inspiration)
- 150 resources to help you write better, faster and more persuasively – OEDB.org – go to the toolbox section for creativity prompts
- How to create a swipe file of inspiration for instant creative juices