Writing your first book—and even your hundredth book—can be daunting. Where do you start? How do you know if your idea is worth sharing? And who do you want to share it with? Writing a book may be an individual endeavor, but the good news is that you don’t have to go at it alone! Every single published author has been exactly where you are now, and they’ve all made it to the other side with wisdom and advice to spare and share. Here are three tips from real Ballast authors who were recently in your shoes (and two more from some of our editors who walked alongside them).
Mark Hertling, author of If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal: “Write what you feel and what you know. Write about the memories you’ve had and the people you’ve met. It’s important to address structure or audience, but it’s more important to consider who might be reading your work and how you might help them be more informed or better people. Write for one honest reader first. And be patient—real stories take time because real reflection takes time.”
Kayleigh Rucinski, director of production at Ballast Books: “My advice would be to stay open-minded on edits and suggestions. It can sometimes be difficult to communicate the ideas and vision you have in your head, but we are here to help that vision come to life! Sometimes, that does come with unexpected ideas and changes, but being open-minded could lead to something even better than you imagined!”
Beau Dooley, author of You, This Is Me . . . Over?: “Write with no audience in mind. Write your truth, and the story you are attempting to tell will become clear over time.”
Journey Mathewson, senior production editor at Ballast Books: “Lean into what feels right! Sometimes the design phase can feel intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the process, but that’s what our quality control team is here for. We want to help produce the most appealing book. Whether it’s the cover or the interior, we understand that every detail should reflect your book’s vision!”
Maura McGee, author of It Is What It Is: If you’re thinking about writing a book based on your real-life experiences, Maura says, “Do it! Even if you just write to get things out of your head and clear your mind, I encourage you to write. When I started writing, it was more like journaling when life was too much to deal with. It helped to process the pain, uncertainty, and fear while Dave was sick. After he died, I would write to him, which kept him close and allowed me to share things that I would only want to share with him. I realized that it was others who had gone through it before me who were the ones who pulled me along and that now I could help do that for someone else by sharing my story. You never know when your words or experience could be the lifeline someone else needs to hold on to.”
We bet you’re feeling a fresh wave of inspiration, so what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and start jotting down ideas for your authorial debut! Once you’ve got a draft you’re proud of, Ballast Books is here to help you turn it into a published book. Soon, you’ll be the one giving new authors advice!