Since becoming an author, I have been surprised by the number of people who have told me they want to write a book some day. I thought it was just me!

So, go ahead and write your story! If it really is a dream of yours, then do it!

The questions to ask yourself as you begin are:
Who am I writing this for? If it is for yourself or your family, then write it any way you please. When it’s done, you can print it out yourself or pay for one of the many self-published options available. If you are writing for the world to read, then make sure your grammar is up to snuff, check out books about writing, and start reading magazines such as Writer’s Digest or The Writer.

The answer to this question will also help you determine length. If it is for yourself, write it until the story is told. If it’s for a different audience, research the genre to find the typical length.

When will I write it? If you think you’ll get to it “whenever,” you may as well not start. All it will be is a giant guilt trip because it will always remain unfinished. Better to decide this dream isn’t to be then let it become a nightmare. If you set aside time, on a regular basis, to write – then you can succeed. The more time you set aside, the better. Again, you don’t want it to become a nightmare.

These are two good questions to start with. There are always others, but these will help you figure out what you want out of the whole thing and if you have at least a beginning commitment to your project. Giving birth to a novel is not easy, but it is worth it.

Fellow authors – what questions would you pose to an aspiring author?