How To Write A Book Based On My Personal Experience (With Roxanne San Jose)
You know I’m madly passionate about writing and inspiring others to pick up a book and pen.
This is why I’m thrilled to introduce a guest post from someone similarly passionate about words and books.
Roxanne San Jose is a member of my FREE Facebook community, like me she’s passionate about books and writing.
In this post you’ll discover that writing your book is possible.
It takes work, time and commitment, but most of all it takes passion for your art.
If you want to be a writer, you can be, trust me, I know!
I had a great career in the corporate 9-5 but it didn’t inspire me. So I committed money and time to retraining and indulging my love of words. I completed my degree in literature and used that to change my life.
‘But I don’t have a degree!’
Don’t worry, you don’t need one to be a writer. At the end of the post I’ll explain how you can get support and down to earth advice on getting started on your writer journey.
I love hearing from others who have pursued their dream to tell their story, and I want to share another writer’s view of how they got started, and what they’ve learned along the way.
You can join Roxanne, and others (including me) who love words, reading and writing in the group, the link is at the end of the post.
So let’s go Roxanne…
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How To Write A Book Based On My Personal Experience
It all started with being creative.
What is in your head, write it down and that could be a good story. Time Travel, YA Science Romance novel is based on creativity.
The good story that stands out helps it get published and make readers read it more. In a blog tour I did, many people told me my story is interesting.
Find inspiration.
Walk in the park for example.
There you can get a story about someone finding a lost boy and decide to find his parents. Nothing is impossible. Whatever you think is right for the story then go for it.
After writing a story.
It is important to have beta readers and an editor.
Time Travel does not have a beta reader but I am sure it could change a bit which is good a thing with beta readers. A beta reader reads your manuscript and give you feedback. For me, it’s nice to have beta readers so you can improve your story based on their feedback and more than one beta reader could be nice to receive different feedbacks.
Editing is very important
When I submitted, Time Travel, to publishers. I got many rejections for not editing.
If you have grammar problems, an editor can help you fix it.
It made me think I had to do it which I did and after editing, I got accepted by Avid Publishing LLC.
Make sure you hire an editor based on your needs and whatever fits your budget.
Based on my personal experience, the editor I needed for Time Travel costed around 700 dollars and I find it a little expensive so I found another within my budget.
Two books I used for my second book, Time Travel, are:
“Writing Fiction For Dummies”
by Peter Economy and Randy Ingermanson
about writing itself, emotional experience in a story, story world, ideal reader, showing and telling and editing.
“Creative Writing for Dummies”
by Maggie Hammond
about imagination, using strong verbs, using experience, characters, plots and setting.
There is nothing wrong with learning how to write a book, as I did.
Time Travel will not be a good story if I did not learn. I learned about emotional experience and grammar which made me get it published.
Be careful with finding a publisher and even agents.
Some publishers which are called “Hybrid” ask for money.
(Tip from Christie: DO NOT pay someone else to publish your work without doing a HUGE amount of research. It doesn’t cost a fortune to get your book out there, you can do it yourself. I advise on this in my Facebook group)
Read reviews of publishers to help your knowledge about it.
Find a publisher that you are comfortable in terms of royalty, marketing and responsive and based on your genre. I picked Avid Publishing because I want a traditional publisher to help me with my book.
I hope this helps you to know that writing a book takes creativity as well as learning on how to write.
My other advice is be passionate and work hard for it.
Without passion, there is lack of perseverance and without hard work, nothing can be done.
This is your story and whatever you think is right then go for it. Do not be afraid of criticism because you will learn from it.
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Thanks Roxanne! Your passion for writing shines through, thank you for your words of encouragement. See you in The Independent Freedom Creative FREE Facebook Group soon!
You can find out more about Roxanne here:
https://roxannesanjose.wixsite.com/roxannesanjose
You can find Roxanne’s Book ‘Time Travel’ on most major book stores including Amazon:
If you’d like to work with Roxanne, jump into the group and get in touch.
How to Start Your Own Writer Journey
Has Roxanne inspired to write but you just don’t know where to start?
Maybe you’ve written something before but are scared to dive back in?
I’m so passionate to get you telling your story, there are various ways I’ll support and inspire you:
1-2-1 Coaching and Mentoring
Online Course
Creative Online Community
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1-2-1 Coaching and Mentoring
Why not book a call with me for FREE! Drop me a DM or email and let’s talk!
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Online Course
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Creative Online Community
The Independent Freedom Creative FREE Facebook Group is right up your street.
It’s packed full with individuals who value their personal freedom, a community for creatives who write or work independently (or want to!)
Kindness is a key element. It’s all FREE and not spammy.
There are weekly threads where you can ask questions, self promote and join in on global networking.
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My Tools Of The Trade (Stuff I use and like!)
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I hope I’ve inspired you to get creative, tweet me from your next coffee stop!
