How to Start Writing a Book (even if you have no experience)
People have amazing stories to tell. They’ve started businesses. They’ve lived in ashrams for 15 years. They’ve conducted experiments on plankton that could change the world. They’ve overcome ancestral patterns and found true love. The one thing they haven’t done is learned how to write a book.
If this sounds like you, people may be telling you to write, and you might be asking the question, “how do I even get started?” This article is intended to help you get started writing your book. Below, I’ll answer some of the most common questions.
How do I start writing a book with no experience?
No writing experience is actually not the blocker you think it is. The biggest blocker is simply not sitting down to write. Most people never allot time for writing—and so they don’t write.
The first thing to do if you want to write a book is schedule time for it. This can be ten minutes a day, three thirty-minute sessions a week, or longer if you can. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time, but it does have to be consistent.
Once you’re at your writing desk, open your journal, Word document, or whatever you’re choosing to write with—and just start. The first thing that comes into your head, write it down. Do not start outlining. Do not worry about hooks, openings, or conclusions. Do not do character or plot outlines. Just write. When your time is up for the day, stop.
This may sound counterintuitive, but I promise it will work. If you can let yourself simply write—and do it consistently—you’ll have a book sooner than you think.
Keep this in mind: you cannot edit what does not exist. Write first, edit later. A common saying among writers is “Write drunk, edit sober.”
How do I write a book about my life?
Once you’ve established a writing practice and you’ve been writing for a few weeks or a few months, you’ll start to notice themes and patterns in what you write. Now you can begin to think about your structure and style.
The best next step? Read other books like yours. If you’re writing a memoir, read memoirs. If you’re writing a how-to book, read those. See what resonates. Notice what stands out, what stories authors include, and how they structure them. Then, steal from them.
Not plagiarize, of course, but study their architecture. Borrow their techniques. Every writer steals a little.
How do I write a fiction book?
If you’re writing fiction, the same rules apply, but you’ll also want to study story and scene structure. Writing craft will help you not only shape your story but also create the emotional impact you want.
Pick up books on writing craft, and—just like with nonfiction—read fiction writers who move you. Look closely at what they’re doing in scenes you love. It’s not magic. They’re doing things on purpose.
Should I use book writing software or AI to write my book?
There’s a lot of AI haters in the writing world. Personally, I think it’s obvious when something’s written entirely by AI. Your readers will know, and it won’t have the impact you want.
Use AI to support your process—generate ideas, get feedback, research questions, even edit lightly—but don’t hand over your voice or your brain. Your voice is what makes your story powerful.
AI is not a better writer than you. I guarantee it. You can read a little proof I did on this here.
Book writing software is okay for organization later, but not at the early stages. Keep it simple when you’re getting started.
Again, when you’re getting started, the most important thing you can do is just give yourself space to write without constraints. Let it be a little messy at first.
Should I begin at the beginning?
Not necessarily. Start with whatever comes to you first. Follow the flow. Don’t force yourself to write the book in order. If you want to start at the end, do it. Just write, and once the writing exists, you can organize it. Lots of books come to authors out of order. My novel, which I’m currently querying with agents, came to me that way. I had to spend several weeks piecing the order together.
What do I do if I get stuck?
First, don’t panic. Every writer feels stuck at some point. The key is to keep showing up anyway. Even if what you write that day stinks. Even if you hate it. Even if you only get one line. Just keep showing up so the tap doesn’t close. The water will flow again soon.
Final Thoughts
If you want more help getting started, join my newsletter and stay updated on new resources I post here. You can also check out this article about my favorite books about writing books.
And if you’re ready for personal support, I offer writing coaching for first-time authors with busy schedules. It’s all done via voice notes and text. You send me pages; I send you feedback. If you get stuck, I send you reading and inspiration. Easy. Fast. Reliable. Inspiring.
Reach out anytime if you have questions.
Happy writing!
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