How To Write a Book While Being a Student

 

 

By David Crenshaw

For some students, writing is the most exquisite torture. While for others, writing is a craft they cannot imagine their life without. Yet no wonder that those from the second category start writing books at high school or college. Always had a dream to write a book but never knew how to start it? Check our tips below on combining college life and book writing.

Tip #1: Brainstorming is a Basis

If you are the one who writes all essays and research papers by themselves, congratulations! Your college mates are less luckier while searching for a research paper writing service late at night. Or worse, right before the exam.
So, you have decided to write a book. But you don’t know what to write about. From your academic assignments, you must remember that brainstorming is the first step to success. Take a pen or colorful pencils and start writing down all things which come to your mind. You can even draw symbols, charts, and pictures.

Questions which might be helpful are:

  1. What are your hobbies?
  2. What are the things you deeply care about?
  3. In your dreams, how do you want to change the world?
  4. What impresses you most of all?
  5. What are your favorite stories?

Tip #2: Take Art and Literature Classes

So, you are in love with writing. Yet chances that you are already a humanities student are high. In the case of the opposite, take writing classes. There, professionals will teach you how to build characters, plot, and dialogues. You will learn how to write and how to read. All masters in literature are great readers, yet learning how to analyze stories is a must. Meanwhile, some helpful art websites or classes will improve your imagination.

Tip #3: Find Your Source of Inspiration

Sometimes libraries and art exhibitions are not as boring and old-fashioned as they sound. Both art and literature are disciplines that reflect the real-life truth. They communicate ideas about the world. Your task is to grab these ideas, rethink and express them. There is a high probability you will find the next great idea while sitting quietly near the library’s shelves. Best ideas come to those who stay far from the madding crowd (pun intended).

Tip #4: Take Your Own Writing Pace and Structure

Every student has their own speed of composing an academic assignment. The same goes for writing a book. No need for a rush. In fact, if you are a slow writer, speeding the process up will do no good. Better focus on organizing the writing process.


Some writers like Joanne K. Rowling prefer having a rigid structure of the novel. There are all twists along with the conflict development. Other authors like Terry Pratchett prefer writing the first things which come to their mind. Later, they rewrite the draft. No plan in this case. Whether you are a meticulous planner or prefer going with the flow, both writing styles are great.

Tip #5: Manage Your Time

The main piece of advice for a modern student. Writing a book is a long-term commitment. Especially if you are a student with a long to-do list and short deadlines. A few tips for managing your time while writing your book and endless essays are here:

  1. Carry a notebook everywhere you go. You never know which lines and plot twists will pop into your head during the math class;
  2. Do your hometasks at the library. No essays and research papers are left when you come home. Yet no excuses for not writing your novel;
  3. Make the college schedule your best friend. Spring breaks and summer are perfect periods for writing. No one distracts you during these periods.
  4. Write on your ride home. Subway commutes are usually long. So, do not waste your time reading social media posts. Take a notebook and write.

Tip #6: Edit and Proofread

Yes, you may be a promising young writer. Even cooler than Donna Tartt or Hanya Yanagihara. But do you know what distinguishes a good author from a bad one? The quality of their texts. When it comes to grammar, style, and punctuation, you must be a professional. Unless you are a reincarnation of Daniel Keyes writing the Flowers For Algernon sequel.
Therefore, check effective editing services online to ensure high writing standards. Most of them are free and user-friendly. The most popular and the freshest is Grammarly, which also checks inadvertent plagiarism.

Tip #7: Print on Demand to Save Money

So, your book is ready. But how to promote it? At first glance, the promotion and distribution sound devastating. Especially when you are a student with a huge student loan to pay. But wait, the solution is easier than you think.
There are publishing companies that print on demand. The copy is published only when a client orders the book. What is even better, most of such companies cooperate with Amazon. Which means flawless cooperation for you, the distributing platform, and the publishing house. Yes, modern technology brings magic.

Tip #8: Be a Self-Promoted Author

Once you know how to distribute the novel, think of a more efficient promotion. You have found the right selling platform. But how to reach your audience? Now this is the toughest part. In the old-fashioned times, a publishing house would have organized campaigns to promote your book.
But as a self-published author, you should be a self-promoted one too. Which is not difficult. Because your target audience is Millennials and GenZs, use social media channels. Every one of them knows what Instagram or Facebook is. Use this knowledge.
You can also create a website. Your site would be a platform between you and the potential clients. Just link the website to your social media accounts and wait for the audience to reach you.

Final Thoughts

Writing a book is real. But it takes enormous commitment both in time and effort. Which is difficult when you, as a modern student, have enough on your plate. However, with the right approach to writing and time management, you can do it. We hope our tips brought you inspiration and confidence. Follow dreams and stay tuned!