The book that turns into a bestseller is a dream of many budding authors.It's the book that gets you noticed.Being trendy and being able to let go and let the editors have their own way with your writing aren't things that sit well with the pure artist.You just never know, if you're made of stern enough stuff, you should give the bestseller track a chance.
Step 1: Determine which area of writing works best for you.
Try both if you're flexible.You never know what will work best.Things to consider in making your choice are provided in the next steps.
Step 2: Choose fiction.
You can find detailed assistance at How to write a short story and its related wikiHows.The background of your characters should be prepared in advance.Your readers must be able to sequence the events from earliest to latest; a reader will give up if they are all mixed up and unclear.Readers must be able to tell what happened in your book.Through connecting your characters, amazing plots and fascinating story-telling, infinitely hook and grasp the attention of your readers.
Step 3: Pick non-fiction.
Many people are concerned about a relevant topic.Find out if anyone has written about it.No?Go for it.Yes?What angle can you give that hasn't been covered?Refer to as many useful sources as possible.
Step 4: Think of something like mish mash.
Who says a book has to be a novel or non-fiction?It could be a book of fierce humor, an esteemed reference text, a children's book or a school textbook.It might be something else.Pick the style that works for you and run with it, right to the many publishing methods now available to you.
Step 5: Pick your topic.
You're passionate about the topic will help selection.You can write on it until the cows come home.It's a popular topic, either currently or perennially, and always has a unique angle.
Step 6: If you're writing fiction, there are additional helpers.
You already know your characters and think you've met them.Writing about them will be easy.You have a lot of current day fixations, addictions and fascinations in your notebook, waiting to fly off the page and ruin your characters lives.People like to be able to connect with the everyday stuff.
Step 7: The following can help if you are writing non-fiction.
You're an expert at that.You're willing to research it to death.It's nice if you have a degree or certificate to back up your expertise.It makes people feel like they're reliable.You can use the phone numbers of experts to ask questions about when you're stuck or feel like making it up.You like what you're writing.You are able to remain objective if you are good at standing in the shoes of different perspectives.How long you can keep it up will affect the success of the book.
Step 8: Don't forget to take notes.
You can take a notebook with you wherever you go to capture the ideas that come to mind.
Step 9: There is time to write.
Few people can afford to be novelists-in-residence without some kind of income source.Unless you're Alain de Botton, who writes living off an inheritance, you should make the time wherever it's free.Use your time on the bus to get to and from work.Asking for time off to write a book should be done with care.The more conservative the establishment, the less likely this will be worth their time.
Step 10: The purpose of the book is what you should be focused on.
It can take a long time for the public to catch up with a genius unless you also win a literary prize.If you want to be great now, start typing or writing and then fiddle with it later.The bestsellers are enemies of Procrastination.
Step 11: You should write a synopsis for your book.
A plan, an outline, whatever you want.If you prefer, you can map it.There are many rules for doing this.If you like it, you can read those as well.You can get stuck into it and write.You can find your own path if you do the color-by-numbers way.Set out the characters and their quirks.As they grow in your mind, fill them out.Unless you enjoy being sued, make sure they're not based on you.Write out the situations you want to develop in your book, as well as the series of events, if they are fortunate or not.How will this end?A kaboom, a surprise, or a happy ending?How will you break things down in non-fiction?Chapters can be nested inside sections.You're writing about people's love of apple pies.Section one covers what the apple pie is, with stories of people reminiscing about apple pies from a long time ago.Section two tells you where to find the best apples.Section three contains apple pie recipes.Section four deals with apple pies.Section five has photos of apple pies.And so forth...Cats and beer are topics that people will never get enough of and all you need to do is have a modern, current angle.You need funky new ways of bringing celebrities and pop music to people's attention that they don't already know, and other things that are way too cliched.
Step 12: It's a good idea to review progress frequently.
Is the writing going where you want it to go?Is it good, interesting, fathomable, fascinating, gripping, useful, entertaining, sparkling, witty, trendy, or whatever combination of such things you're trying to make it?It's not a bad idea to split elements for other projects.There are times when you are writing about one thing and another insists on birthing itself.Put it aside for your next project when you write it down.Don't add too much to the piece you're writing.If you manage the bestseller, you'll need to produce more after and these side ideas are perfect for new bestsellers.
Step 13: The deadline should be set.
Miss it a lot.There should be more deadlines.Miss those as well.Life has a habit of getting in the way.Set a deadline that is uncrossable.Finish the book.Enough already!There is a point at which you have to make a decision between being an author-in-waiting and a published-author-hoping-for-a-bestseller.Get on with the writing.Be realistic.A book on the lost herd of rice carving gnus of outer Mongolia will likely take longer than a fiction piece about the local tea party.If you need to budget the money and travel to outer Mongolia to verify the researchDeep research can take a long time, but you can speed it up.There are holes that can be filled in later.That is what friendly reviewers and your not-so-friendly editors want.They can see the missing trees if you listen to them.
Step 14: Don't forget to go over the work.
After a break, read your own work.Correct spelling and grammatical errors.Stuff that is fluff, bloat, nonsense or simply adds nothing special should be removed.
Step 15: The work should be reviewed by people you know.
Do you really think your friends and family will be able to tell you the truth about it?Only ask people who are less inclined to flatter you or be subjective if you want to be fair.If you join a writer's club, you can meet a few critics who can give you suggestions on how to improve.
Step 16: It's a good idea to come up with a unique title for your book.
If you write a book about global warming, the title can be "Coats are Useless", since we wear coats in winter.Don't get stuck on this aspect.A lot of authors waste time trying to come up with the perfect title, only to have the publisher change it anyway.Don't put all your time into the title.
Step 17: Send your book to a journalist who won't ruin authors' work.
Maybe this isn't specific.If you want to advertise your book, you can either have it listed in a catalog or write to a newspaper.Positive comments from other magazines should be brought along.
Step 18: The work should be torn to pieces.
Don't talk about how great your writing is.Editors are similar to writers in that they are there to help.They are there to polish the gems and bring them to their potential.Let them make their suggestions and embrace the help for what it is worth.Consider their suggestions seriously.Friendly editors make it easier to get into the editing experience.It's good to have nasty ones because they allow you some self pity.At the end of the day, if you want to invite them to a dinner party, be aware that they are very fierce about their craft and the ability to make your craft look better.If you don't mind impersonal editing, submit the book to a publisher.Depending on how you view it, this can be a good or a bad thing.The experience of that editor and the backing of a publishing house can only be good for you.People buy based on who published the book, not just who wrote it.
Step 19: It's important to make essential changes.
You need to make good decisions based on your editor's and reviewers comments.Be careful with both your instincts and what they have said.Not every reviewer or editor will get the totality of your writing, so your own instinct can sometimes be stubbornness parading as "truth".Try to get some distance from the writing, give yourself time to consider the comments made about it, then come back to it and assemble it for its last phase, the publication.
Step 20: Decide how the book will be published.
Using a renowned publisher is one of the possibilities.Half the battle can be won if you choose a well known publisher.Oxford University Press and Penguin Books are good examples.Don't give up, because publishers reject a lot of attempts at book deals, and have a huge list to work through.Send that manuscript out again and again until it gets accepted.Vanity publishing is more accessible if not.
Step 21: The publisher should do the marketing.
If you use an established publisher and they accept your work, expect them to market the daylights out of the book.Ask why they don't.It is worth pushing them before giving up if you don't like the answer.
Step 22: Wait.
Some bestsellers are not very active.Some may need nudging from you.Share the link to where it can be purchased.Give away something in a competition.You can guilt your friends and family into helping through this process if you tell them it has been published.As Christmas gifts, give some away.Send copies to a celebrity.You should market yourself.
Step 23: There isn't a guarantee that the magic of the bestseller will happen.
There are a lot of things that go into making a piece of writing turn into a hit.You can do your best to achieve this, but apart from the well known (and very bankable) authors in such areas as crime, law and romance, most authors live with hope.Even though your publisher can do some things, be patient.If, after a year or two, the book seems to be doing the ordinary thing, you can go back and write again.Don't give up, you've still got a bestseller waiting to emerge.Send your book to literary award groups.The publisher may need to do this on your behalf.For recognition and a little bit of cash, getting an award can be helpful.
Step 24: Write the sequel.
Your readers are already hanging out for more if your work is a top seller.The sooner you get back to believing in your writing, the better.