How to Start a Book: Practical Advice From Published Authors

“I relied on my nonfiction book proposal since that provided a great initial outline, but otherwise, I didn't do much outlining. Here's the thing that's important to note, though: I have three learning disabilities. I have always been extremely organized and driven and detailed, but my process is often different from others’. And that's the thing about writing, no one way is ‘right.’ You have to go about it in a way that comes natural for you. If you start writing a book based on how you think you're supposed to write it, it won't work. Sure, it's helpful to know what you're aiming for and have an overall narrative or goal in mind, but you know how you work best. No one else does.” —J.R.

“Not much. I’m envious of writers who can outline their books meticulously. My mind just doesn’t work that way. Even when I try to outline, my drafts end up deviating from what I’ve written originally. For me, not necessarily knowing what’s coming next makes fiction writing fun.” —T.O.

"None before. With The Mythmakers I noodled around in the dark for three or four years until I had a big baggy mess of a manuscript. Then, while revising, I wrote something of an optimistic outline, which included what I'd written but also scenes that still existed only in my brain. Then more writing, much of which departed chaotically from the outline. Unfortunately this continues to be my ‘process.’” —K.W.

What book or books influenced your writing the most?

“Judy Blume inspired me to be an author. I devoured her books as a kid (and as a grown-up). She wrote about ordinary suburban kids like me, and it made me realize that I had stories worth telling.” —J.P.

“There have been so many, and more all the time, but the big ones for The Mythmakers were Vladimir Nabokov's Pnin, Philip Roth's Zuckerman novels, Nicole Krauss's Great House, Zadie Smith's essays, Lan Samantha Chang's All Is Forgotten, Nothing Is Lost.” —K.W.

“The books that have influenced my writing the most are the books I have loved reading: Middlemarch, Fierce Attachments, White Teeth, Say Nothing, Portrait of a Lady, Slouching Towards Bethlehem.” —M.K.

“I can’t pinpoint one book. I honestly believe that my writing has been influenced by every book I’ve ever read in some way—whether they were good books or bad. This is generally why I try to avoid reading bad books.” —T.O.

Finally, if you could give just one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

“For someone like me who is used to a quick turnaround on everything I write, the biggest adjustment was the pace. You just have to accept that book publishing moves slower and learn to thrive within that.” —V.H.

“I don't know if I have a good enough handle on any of it to dole out advice, but I've never been failed by the words of my undergrad thesis adviser, the brilliant author Paul LaFarge, who once told me that ‘nothing says “writer at work” like going to a movie in the afternoon.’” —K.W.