How to Write a Book Step by Step

How to write a book step by step: let's do it!

A lot of people ask me how I write my books.

I’ve perfected my writing process over the last 40+ books, so I know what works and what doesn’t.

In this video I’m going to walk you how to write a book step by step, with my process of how I conceive, plan, write, edit, and format my novels.

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[angiecostabr]

10:08 The way you teach makes fear seem so silly!

[cryodiverr]

im 11 and writing my first book. thus helped alot thanks!

[theatheistpaladin]

Hardest is consistency and getting to the end. Easiest is once I am in the flow I have fun.

[richardmethot]

Very informative you have helped with my writing so much. I am currently finishing my seventh book of my epic fantasy series and looking to package them. Even if they don't succeed I am happy I came across this channel and reached a personal milestone I set for myself 25 years ago.

[absw]

My books, in the early stages, tend to suffer from the "Deus ex machina" problem, where the monster/villain is destroyed by an event that seems to come out of nowhere. My solution to this: go back to the beginning of the story, and plant clues early on, so that the solution to the problem seems logical. For example, in one of my Novellas, the serial killer is killed by a kid's treehouse falling on top of him. It seems kinda stupid at first, but I did the following: at the start of the story, the kid's father is telling the kid, they will have to get ris of the treehouse, because it looks like it's going to come down at any moment. All of a sudden, the method of taking down the killer, by pushing onto the tree and causing the treehouse to fall, makes perfect sense.

[LawrenceKassab]

You're amazing dude, just binged 4 of your videos. I might actually buy that how to write your first novel. I've had an idea for about twenty years now and I think I'm at a right place in my head to start it.

[Lexuslilly]

I always found the editing and publisher/agent part of writing books super boring to read. That’s why I like listening to videos like yours because I am visual and the conversation is usually more engaging than what’s on the page. Super helpful videos thank you

[cryogenicheart]

He looks like the guy from the good place

[WolfMcTavish]

Some great advice there, thanks for sharing your writing process. Coming up with ideas is the easiest part of the the process for me. Finishing a novel is what I find hardest.

[ElCuentodeRoma]

Hardest part. Dealing with self-criticism. Easiest part. Research, cover design, and creating those big (overall) ideas.

[ChautonaHavig]

Sitting across from you at the 20books to 50k conference and smiling at seeing you invest in authors just the same there as you do here. Thank you for being you.

[warhorse]

Your advice makes A LOT of sense to me and I’m finding myself doing previously some of the same prep items you mention. Wow, good to know I’m not the only who is cautious about doing too much research LOL. Even though I’m a newbie fiction writer, the thing I find easiest is simply writing about what I know and including small bits of myself into the story.

[PedalingAdventures]

Great info! The hardest part of the process for me is to avoid overthinking. It's a challenge for me to silence my critical voice. The easiest part is creating characters with depth. Shine on!

[dragonchr]

For research, it helps to write out a list of questions you need answered to focus it. If you are writing a book about gunfighters in the old west, you might want to know what kinds of guns were used in the year your story takes place? How do they work? What do they look like? What famous gunfights happened that year?

[EDILE]

Hi Michael, thanks for the greats advices. I'm loving your videos. Hugs from Brazil.

[MrZkoki]

Your advice concerning research topics was very useful. Using books that simplify scientific concepts was something I had not thought of. Thanks man!

[theatheistpaladin]

I think everyone should outline. The question is "Are you outlining before you start your book or after?" If you are a pantser, outlining after helps you look at key points in your story and helps clean up your story when it comes to editing.

[adarateranroldan]

"Write that next sentence" ❤️ 
Looping sounds interesting, too

[justinmay]

This is great. Alot of others give these vague or too quirky explanations. Trying to sound eccentric for eccentricities sake lol

[ruk]

Thanks for another great video, Michael. I learned a lot and appreciate you sharing your process. I've always been an outliner but hearing your experience on writing in the dark in a previous video makes me want to try it. Thanks again.