Writing has the wind in its sails. Research suggests that 4 out of 5 US citizens would like to be an author. “Writing a book is a challenge in which one is exposed, first in front of one’s publisher and then in front of one’s readers. It is an experience reminiscent of the school textbooks of yesteryear and which ends with an immense pleasure, as if it were the birth of a child. Writing a book means living in the eyes of others, ” said Henri Kaufman, editorial director of Kawa Publishing House.
Where to start? Here are 10 tips:
- Write about a topic that is important to you. Define a common thread and the audience you want to touch.
- Ask questions about your environment. Research, collect testimonials and data.
- Stimulate creativity. Everyone finds inspiration in their own way. Creativity is often found where you least expect it. It arrives when it decides. Sometimes it lands at the most unlikely moments. Chris Lewis, CEO and founder of LEWIS, recommends moving away from the phone, email and social media for at least 45 minutes a day in his latest book, Too Fast To Think. Go out and walk, breathe some fresh air, step back and think.
- Put your ideas together. Prioritize them and build a plan of attack.
- Make sure your text arouses emotion. Is your subject matter and writing likely to captivate another pair of eyes?
- Include visuals. Aerate text and capture attention. Readers’ eyes get tired quickly. Visual information arrives more quickly to the brain than simple text. 65% of the information accompanied by a visual is better memorized.
- Manage your time. Write regularly: 1 page a day or 15 pages every 15 days., it’s up to you. Just set a specific goal. And as soon as you have an idea, write it down.
- Do not lose sight of the final dot. Adopt a discipline of work and keep it. Motivation is essential but a good dose of determination will make the difference.
- Take a step back. Let your text mature and make corrections while re-reading it aloud. This helps ensure your sentences are not too long.
- Find a mentor. Identify someone who shares your point of view, gives constructive feedback and motivates you.
Would you like some tips just for you? LEWIS France suggests you attend its first writing workshop on April 10, 2017. It will begin with a session where you will write an opinion piece with the aim to be published and read by the audience you are targeting.
For more information on how to register, contact our content specialist, Lucie Robet, at the following email address: [email protected] (attention, limited places available).