Ready, Set, Write!

Turning Your Ideas Into A Marketable Manuscript

About this Article

Are you looking to turn your passion for writing into a book, novel, but need help getting started? Writing a book can be a difficult task, but with the right approach, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding endeavor. In this article, I’ll cover the basics of writing a book and explore the various steps you can take to transform your ideas into a publishable manuscript. From establishing a writing schedule to refining and marketing your work, I’ll provide you with the steps and tools you need to be successful. So, let’s get started with the basics of writing your first best seller!

Setting Goals

It’s important to have realistic goals in writing a novel. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with crafting an entire story, so it helps to break it up into smaller, achievable goals. Before starting your writing journey, take the time to sit down and plan out what success looks like to you.

Start by setting a timeline. It’s always best to be realistic with your timeline. If you’re juggling multiple projects, it’s important to allow for more than enough time for each. Even if it feels like more than you’d like to give yourself, sticking to your timeline will keep you on track and help you stay motivated.

Decide on your goal word count. How long do you want your manuscript to be when it’s finished? It’s always best to set a goal that’s higher than what you’re aiming for. For example, if you have a target of 25,000 words, set your goal at 30,000 words or higher. This will give you some wiggle room if you find that you’re not able to reach your desired word count by the end of the timeline.

Set a weekly or daily word count for yourself. This will help you stay on track and make sure that you’re making progress each day. Be sure to set a goal that’s doable, but still challenging. Setting a goal that’s too high will cause you to burn out, while setting a goal that’s too low will make it difficult to stay motivated. There are many writing apps available that have tools built in to help you set and monitor your goals. I use Scrivener by Literature & Latte. The ability to monitor daily word counts is just one of many features included in this app.

Set yourself some rewards along the way. Rewards don’t have to be physical. What would make you feel good, Treating yourself to a nice dinner or buying yourself something special? It can also be something as simple as taking a long break after reaching a certain word count or fueling yourself with caffeine each time you finish a chapter. Whatever works for you!

Establishing a Writing Schedule

Establishing a writing schedule can seem intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out. But it’s essential to keep a consistent writing schedule if you want to make progress on your manuscript and eventually turn it into a marketable product. Here’s how to set up a writing schedule that works for you.

01 | decide how much time you can set aside for writing. Consider the length of your manuscript and any deadlines you need to meet. If you’re setting out to write a novel, you may need to devote several hours a day or at least several days a week to writing. If you’re working on a short story or an article, you may have more flexibility in terms of how much time you dedicate to it. 

02 | decide where and when you’ll write. Some people like to write at their desk or in an office, while others prefer to write in a café or outdoors. You may also need to consider the time of day that works best for you–some people like to write early in the morning, while others find it easier to concentrate later in the day. I’m in the early in the morning camp.

03 | plan out how you’ll use your allotted writing time. Make sure you’re setting realistic and achievable goals for each writing session. Break your time up into blocks, with each block devoted to a specific task. For example, you might spend the first thirty minutes writing, the next fifteen reviewing what you’ve written, and the last fifteen doing research.

04 | mix up your writing tasks from session to session. This will help you stay motivated, and it will prevent you from getting stuck on the same task. For example, if you’re writing a novel, you might write one scene in one day and start a new one a couple of days later.

05 | be flexible with your schedule. Life can impede your writing plans, and that’s okay. Just do your best to adjust your schedule as needed and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have to make changes.

The Writing Process

In writing a successful book, turning your ideas into a marketable manuscript can be intimidating. It’s a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can break the process down into a few smaller steps to make the entire process manageable.

The first step is to brainstorm and record your ideas.

This is the foundation of your story and will help you map out where the story is going and what plot points are necessary to get you there. Don’t be afraid to get creative in this stage and explore various possibilities. You can always refine your ideas later if they don’t work out.

Once you’ve got a good idea of what your book will be about, it’s time to outline the story.

This involves creating a plot summary and figuring out the different scenes and arcs of the story. You can even write character biographies during this stage to help you figure out their motivations and goals.

Once you’ve sketched out the basic skeleton of your story, it’s time to dig into the details.

This is where you’ll build out the scenes, characters, and arcs to create a compelling narrative. It’s also a great opportunity to add unique details and layer in subplots that will make your story stand out.

Finally, it’s time to write the actual manuscript.

During this process, you’ll take all of your ideas, sketches, and outlines and turn them into an actual book. This is where you’ll decide on the voice and tone of the story, as well as hone the pacing and timing of the plot to ensure an enjoyable and captivating read.

By breaking the writing process down into smaller steps, producing a marketable manuscript doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From brainstorming to writing the final draft, there are plenty of steps in between to help you bring your story to life. With a bit of hard work and dedication, you’ll soon have a finished manuscript ready to be published.

Crafting Believable Characters

One of the most important elements in any manuscript is crafting realistic, believable characters. After all, readers will turn the pages because they’re invested in your characters’ arcs and journeys. Outstanding characters will capture the imaginations and hearts of readers, making them eager to take the journey with you.

Let’s start with character design. The first thing to consider when creating a character is the fundamentals: Do you want this character to be someone readers can relate to? Do they have believable motivations, wants, needs, and desires, or are they a mixture of both? Make sure they have a distinguishing physical appearance and mannerisms.

The most successful characters have plenty of realistic flaws and weaknesses. It’s okay if they aren’t perfect–after all, that’s what makes us human. Not only should your characters make mistakes and be imperfect, they should also be complex. Allow readers to explore their deeper thoughts and feelings. Doing so helps create a multi-dimensional character readers will empathize with.

Another important factor when crafting believable characters is voice. Your characters should have individual dialogue and personalities, so readers can distinguish between them easily. This is especially important if you have a lot of characters in your story. Giving them unique, individual voices will help readers to engage with and differentiate between them.

When it comes time for your characters to take action, be sure to make it realistic. Don’t have them do something that goes against their character. What decisions would your characters realistically make? What’s true to their personalities? Are their reactions and behavior in line with the character you’ve created?

Finally, be sure to include believable relationships in your story. If you connect two characters, how does their relationship progress over the course of your story? Do their feelings and actions towards each other reflect their relationship status?

The more effort you put into character design and development, the easier it will be to craft a believable, engaging story. We invest readers in characters and their stories, so take the time to make sure your characters are well-rounded and realistic.

First Drafts

At the start of a writing project, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a blank canvas to work with. Whether you're starting from scratch, revising an earlier draft, or just have some ideas that need to be put down on paper, the beginning of any writing journey starts with a first draft. 

- The goal of a first draft is not to make your work perfect, but to get your ideas down on the page. -

Writing your first draft should be a creative process that gives you the opportunity to explore your ideas fully, to create something that will eventually become the final product. To help you get started, you want to make sure that you have all the tools you need to help you make the most of this process. It helps to have a plan in mind before you write, so that you know what you're trying to accomplish. There are a few things you'll need to consider so that your first draft is as effective as possible:

01 | Get organized. Before you even start writing, make sure you have a detailed plan in mind for your project. This includes deciding on the topic, outlining the structure of the story, and outlining any research you'll need to do. This will help keep you focused and organized as you move through the writing process.

02 | Make a timeline. Having a timeline will help you stay on track and ensure you finish your manuscript on time. Make sure that your timeline allows you enough time to write and edit each draft of your manuscript. 

03 | Find a place to write. It's important to find a place to write that is comfortable and free of distractions. This could be a quiet corner of your home, a library, or even a coffee shop. Just make sure you're in a comfortable place that allows you to focus and stay creative.

04 | Choose the right tools. You want to make sure you have access to the right tools and resources to help you write your first draft. Whether that's a laptop or a desktop computer, a word processor, a pen and paper, or any other writing tools, make sure you have what you need to get your ideas down on the page.

05 | Set aside time. Writing can be a time-consuming process, so make sure you have enough time to complete your project. Set aside a certain amount of time each day, or each week, to dedicate to writing. This will help you stay focused and get your project done on time.

Determining Your Audience

One of the most important parts of writing any piece of work is determining who your audience is. Without knowing who you are targeting, you can’t tailor your message to meet their needs, nor can you create the type of content that will appeal to them. 

When a writer’s goal is to turn their ideas into a marketable manuscript, knowing their ideal audience is even more important. After all, determining who your reader is helps guide every single aspect of the process, from the topic you choose, to the research you conduct, to the tone and structure of the words you write. 

So, how do you go about identifying who might be interested in reading your work? First, consider who the stake-holders of your topic might be. Are there any particular organizations or institutions that may find that your work applies to their interests? Who are the primary consumers of this type of writing? Identifying potential audiences upfront can help guide your topic and research choices. 

Next, think about your own interests. Is this a topic that you care about or feel passionate about? Consider the language and style of the writing. Think about who reads that kind of content? Are you targeting a specific age group or demographic? Are there any particular cultures or subcultures that your work might appeal to? 

The more you can narrow down your potential audience, the better. Doing so will help you ensure that you’re creating content that resonates with them. It will also make it easier to promote and market your work when the time comes. 

To take it one step further, consider actively incorporating your audience into the process. Reach out to them, ask their opinions, and find out what they’re looking for. Are there any topics that they specifically ask about? Are there questions you could answer or stories you could tell that they would find especially engaging? Using your audience’s input can not only provide you with invaluable feedback, but it can also help you shape the end product into something that will truly touch them. 

Creating an Outline

Outlining can be one of the most arduous parts of writing a book. But developing an outline is essential if you want to turn your ideas into a marketable manuscript. Creating a solid outline for your book can help you organize your thoughts, keep you focused on the goal, and help you estimate the time it will take to complete your manuscript.

Where should you begin when creating an outline for your book? First, take time to brainstorm your ideas. Your outline will be useless if you don’t have a comprehensive understanding of what you’re writing about. After you have brainstormed, the next step is to organize those ideas into a structure.

Think about what specific points you need to include to support your main idea. Brainstorming can help you come up with these points. Consider the order of importance and the relevance of your ideas. Each one should link to the other and advance your story.

From there, you can break your outline into sections. Outlines can be as detailed or as broad as you need. Some writers only need a few bullet points, while other writers will use subheadings to further organize their ideas. Include as much detail in your outline that you can effectively use it as a roadmap.

Make sure your outline includes all the significant points you want to cover, such as plot points, character arcs, and major themes. Also, consider the pacing of your story, in terms of when certain events happen. This will be important when you work on the actual manuscript.

Writing can be overwhelming. An outline is a great way to break down the overwhelming task of writing a book into manageable chunks. With a good outline, writing no longer feels overwhelming—it’s now just about filling in the details. When you have an outline to work from, completing a manuscript becomes a lot easier. Your outline can help you stay focused on the task at hand, and it can help you estimate the time it will take to turn your ideas into a marketable manuscript.

Full disclosure! I’ve written other articles not as supportive of outlines as this one. I don’t disagree with the importance of taking the time to construct an outline if it keeps you focused as a writer. But there are different writers with different writing styles and not all consider outlines as significant as others. I suck at outlining, and on the few occasions that I have, I never followed them. For a description of what I mean, see my article, Pantsers and Plotters. Which Are You?

Refining Your Work

Writing can be a challenging task for even the most experienced authors. If you're looking to turn your ideas into a marketable manuscript, refining your work is a must. Refining your work can be a grueling process, but it's worth it in the end. Here are some tips:

01 | Read the work you have written and ask yourself if it makes sense. Do your sentences flow? Are there any unnecessary words that need to be cut out? Is it clear and easy to understand? These are all essential questions you need to ask yourself when refining your work.

02 | Get feedback from other authors and editors. Having someone else read your text and offer their opinion can be invaluable. Ask yourself if you agree with the feedback you receive.

03 | Make sure your story hangs together. Does it have a beginning, a middle, and an end? Does it have a central theme that runs through it? Did you make it make sense? If not, you may have to consider restructuring it.

04 | Check for any spelling or grammar errors. Mistakes can definitely mess up the flow of your work, so it's best to avoid them as much as possible. You can always use an online spell checker to help. I’ve included more on this in the next section.

05 | Take some time away from the manuscript. This is super important. Let the material you wrote settle and come back with a fresh pair of eyes. You may spot something you missed the first time around. I take at least two weeks between reads of my manuscripts, sometimes months. It helps tremendously.

06 | Polish it up. Read it out loud to check the flow. You may also want to get an editor to proofread the work or even hire an editor to give it a complete overhaul.

Refining your work takes time and dedication, but it can make all the difference between a mediocre manuscript and a marketable one. Take the time to refine your work and you'll be grateful you did.

Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading your manuscript is a critical step in the writing process. While it can take time and patience, it can make the difference between a readable and marketable manuscript. Here are a few tips to help you get started. 

FIRST, read your manuscript aloud. This will help you catch mistakes such as missing words, misspellings, and typos that are often difficult to spot when you're simply reading it in your head. It also allows you to pause and think after certain sentences or points so you can be sure that everything makes sense.  

SECOND, use online resources or read up on best practices for grammar, punctuation, and style. Many writers rely on services like Grammarly or apps like Hemingway Editor to help them clean up the text. Familiarize yourself with the Chicago Manual of Style and any other style guidelines from the publisher. 

THIRD, enlist the help of a professional editor. A professional editor can provide invaluable help in revising and polishing your work. They can help you identify weaknesses and find solutions. They can also provide feedback on the flow and coherence of your prose. 

FOURTH, find readers to provide feedback. This step is especially important if you are writing non-fiction. Ask friends, family, and colleagues to read your manuscript and provide honest feedback. They can also help identify any large-scale problems that need to be addressed. Offer Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of you book to readers who offer those services. These arrangements usually involve a commitment to leave an honest review.

Finally, be patient! Editing and proofreading is tedious work, but it's worth your time and energy. Take note that going through these steps will only ensure that your manuscript is ready to go to a professional editor. It can be expensive, and only you can determine your budget. Publication only after a formal edit will ensure that your work will be marketable and will stand out from the crowd. 

Marketing and Publishing Your Book

So, you’ve finally finished your manuscript and you’re ready to make it a reality. Before you can get your book distributed, you need to ensure you have the right marketing and publishing strategy in place. 

One of the best ways to do this is to create a website to house all the information about your book. This is a great way to control how you market and present your book, as well as direct people to where they can buy it. To start, include the book’s cover, blurb, and any reviews you get. You can even include a ‘pre-order now’ button so people can buy it as soon as possible. Don’t forget to include a link to your social media profiles, as this will help people spread the word about your book.

Once your website is all set up, you can think about other ways to market your book. It’s important to reach out to reviewers, bloggers, and bookstores to let them know about your manuscript. You can also use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach a wider audience. Remember to post regularly and use relevant hashtags to expand your reach.

Finally, it’s time to decide how you’re going to publish your book. If you have the money and the know-how, self-publishing might be the best option. This allows you to maintain full control over the entire process, from editing to distribution. If you don’t have the resources to self-publish, then look into traditional publishing houses. Submitting a query letter is the first step to getting your manuscript accepted by a publisher, so make sure it’s well written and interesting.

Marketing and publishing your book can be a time-consuming and daunting process. However, if you plan and prepare, then you can make sure your book is successful. Good luck!

Conclusion:

By following all the steps laid out in this article, you have the power to turn your great ideas into a marketable manuscript. From setting goals and establishing a writing schedule to creating believable characters and refining your work, there is no shortage of tasks to accomplish on your journey to success. Each step is a necessary building block of your path to writing a book that your audience loves. 

Writing isn't always easy, and sometimes it requires a lot of patience and hard work, but through dedication and consistent effort, you can develop methods and strategies that work for you and your writing process. Achieving success takes time, and having a rational plan and timeline can help you stay on course. 

If you have a great story, people will buy into it. Once you’ve released your book, it’s important to take some time and evaluate your efforts. What worked? What didn’t? Is there something you would do differently next time? By taking notes and reflecting on your experience, you can continuously improve and grow as a writer, aiming for success every time. 

Don’t get discouraged by the amount of work it takes to write a book. Fuel your determination to bring your ideas to life. Ready, Set, Write!