Writing a book is a formidable undertaking but it need not be an insurmountable one. If you want to write a book then you should do it and take pleasure in the process as well as relish the sense of accomplishment that awaits you when the final manuscript is in your hands. To help you get started, consider the following exercises.

EXERCISE 1

Just like every other writing project, writing a book begins with an idea. The difference, however, is that the subject must be book length. To see how this might work, go to that place where you receive your inspiration and on separate sheets of paper or index cards, write down five distinct concepts for a possible book. Put it away for a day or two.

EXERCISE 2

Now that you've had some time off. revisit the five ideas and see if you can come up with at least five subtopics for each and write them down. For example, you may have written “the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial.” since it always fascinated you but the only subtopic you think of has to do with the size of the glove and you just can't come up with anything else. Now. maybe there is an article to pursue but not a book.

On the other hand, you also had an idea to write about hockey moms. In thinking further, you have no trouble coming up with subjects in that context including your own mother (you played youth ice hockey); how the mothers coped with the early hours of the games; how the mothers dealt with the profanities and abuse typically shouted in the stands; how the mothers handled seeing blood streaming down their child's face when hit by a puck; and how hockey moms felt the experience affected their own ability to handle tough situations. Clearly, you may have the makings of a book about hockey moms.

EXERCISE 3

The next step is to take the most promising of your five ideas and write a table of contents (TOC). If none of your ideas worked out and if you still want to write a book, just go back to Exercises 1 and 2 until you come up with something.

The TOC can form the basis for your book. Depending on the genre, you may have as few as a dozen chapters or as many as thirty or more. Don't agonize over the TOC. It is subject to change. Just see if you can compose an entire TOC and if you can. you're on your way to writing your book.