How does one start a book?
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
United States
June 24, 2018 8:13pm CST
I don't mean reading it, of course everyone here knows how to do that. I am referring to writing it.
I've read so many books over the years, seen so many ways to start the book. An introduction, a notice of copyright, the table of contents etc etc. I've decided to catalog some of the stories that I have heard over the years. Family dramas and quirks that have been retold time and time again.
However, I am not sure where to begin. I have the title, a little author's note, and then a notice of copyright. I am not sure if I should add more or not. If I do publish, and I am not so certain I will, I plan to do so through the kindle program. I don't require a fancy format for that.
So what else should be added before the first "story" is recorded?
Any suggestions?
12 people like this
14 responses
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Jun 18
Well, you're ahead of the game by having all that done already. When I started, I just wrote, I didn't worry about the contents page, copyright notice, or the introduction, and the author bio was the last thing I did. You do need your bio in third person.
If you want your book in Kindle, I recommend self-publishing through CreateSpace. They have a format for you to choose from, and will help you every step of the way through the publishing process. However, you're not that far yet.
Where to start, depends on you, no one else. Though a good strong beginning will keep your reader interested and turning the page, which is what you want. So, if you have a really good story or anecdote from your life, start with that.
3 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I was considering using Kindle Direct Publishing but I will definitely check out CreateSpace. I may get the help of some of my family who have written a book of their own. I am sure I may also learn of some more things I could add to the book as well.
I do have a tendency of worrying in reverse if that makes sense. I should proabbly worry about the content before I worry about the mentions, dedications etc.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
26 Jun 18
@lovebuglena I haven't had the chance to check out createspace but I'll also make an effort to check out lulu.com as well. I was considering KDP (because hey - amazon) but I have to take into consideration that family may want to buy it at a brick and mortar store.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Jun 18
@ScribbledAdNauseum I use Lulu (lulu.com) to publish my books. I like publishing through them. The only thing I hate, and it's probably true with CreateSpace is well, is book prices. When books get an ISBN and are distributed to Amazon, B&N, etc. book prices are a bit high because of the "retail markup" and if we want to make a decent enough revenue per book.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
25 Jun 18
Hi Amber. I have no idea but you may ask Valerie @just4him. She is an author. You may ask for ideas or advice.
3 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I knew there were one or two authors on here, but I couldn't recall their usernames. Thank You. Perhaps one of them could give me advice.
2 people like this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Jun 18
@mlglen1037 Thanks for the mention.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
25 Jun 18
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes. For sure, they would be glad to help. 
2 people like this
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
25 Jun 18
I would start by drafting the contents first. Once the content is done, I will draft the author notes and automate the content page
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I had considered doing it that way. I am using a simple application to write it though. I am only using Notepad because I know that KDP (the publisher I am using) supports it.
I don't think it allows for multiple documents either.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
@id_peace My laptop is about a decade old. I don't know that I have MS words on mine, but I don't think so. I've loaded several OS on mine over the years too. Technology eludes me sometimes.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I think I may need to expand on the author's note. I considered doing the book in a sort of two part. What I was considering is writing the stories out as they were told to me and then writing them out in a more creative flair. I'm not sure if that would be redundant or not.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
@MarshaMusselman This is true. I am sure once I get to talking to my great aunts there will be so much more to learn.
There are some I'll have to just make up as I go. Like my grandmother having told me about her ghostly uncle. We can't get a hold of her sister to save our life (she says she'll come down but it's been two months and she isn't here yet) so i"ll have to fabricate a lot.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
25 Jun 18
@ScribbledAdNauseum you won't know until you try it. You could do it the other way around instead. The creative version first and then what was told you fire those wanting to know
1 person likes this
@anamika161088 (11866)
• India
25 Jun 18
I think table of contents, preface, cover page can be added..
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
All good ideas and I thank you for them.
1 person likes this
@aureliah (24316)
• Kenya
25 Jun 18
I have always wanted to write a book. I keep doing the story in a book but for years I have never managed to do it
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I have written for years but mostly for myself. The internet is such a valuable resource now, there are easier ways to get things published as well.
1 person likes this
@aureliah (24316)
• Kenya
2 Jul 18
@ScribbledAdNauseum that is great. I agree that the internet is a good source of information
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
25 Jun 18
no idea. i have wanted to write my crazy unbelievable life story forever and still don't know how to start
hope you get the help you need and become a great hit
hope you get the help you need and become a great hit@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I don't really want to be a great hit, just a few hits would be nice.
I do know that I will be using KDP (kindle direct publishing).
Maybe you could look into that for yourself and see if it's right for you.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
I don't know that I'll put a table of contents in. I want it to be an anthology type book. Oh I don't know.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
25 Jun 18
I would just begin writing down your stories. Before you present it for publishing you can figure out what else is needed. I was going to suggest you ask Valerie for her ideas, but I see she's already been here, I've just not yet read her response. Maybe I'll have more ideas once I check out what folks told you already.
Right now I have to get ready for a doctors visit.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
Most people have mentioned things like forward, dedication, bibliography, introduction etc etc.
I'm going to listen to what Valerie has to say since she's been there, done that and got the t-shirt.
I need to get out of my way and stop being set in my own ways and realize my way isnt' working.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
26 Jun 18
Before even considering any of the extra gumpf I'd get the most important middle bit written first!
@lovebuglena (44504)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Jun 18
Generally the first page of a book is the title page. Then you have the copyright page, followed by the acknowledgement or dedication pages. Then table of contents, if any is needed. Then the actual content (story, poems, etc.). And you end with the about the author page.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
26 Jun 18
I appreciate your input, though that wasn't necessarily what I was looking for. Being able to have things flow seamlessly is a very good thing.
1 person likes this
@LPort2017 (693)
• United States
25 Jun 18
Just start writing and create an outline as you go to organize your thoughts.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
It's not the actual writing of the stories that I am worried about, but the information at the beginning. I think I also need to consider using a different program to type it all in. I might see if I can use an online program and save it in a file format that the publisher allows.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
25 Jun 18
Thank You. I just want to record all the stories I was told. I've written some here in the past, but I want a way for family to remember them as wel.
1 person likes this
