Write a Book While in College With These Expert Tips

It’s a dream of many college student to be able to write a book while in college. It seems like such a romanticized idea, but when you think about it, why not? With classes spread across the week, you are likely to have some free and unprogrammed time for the first time in your life. What better way to spend your free hours than writing the next great American novel? The problem is that there are so many distractions that will keep you from getting much done! That’s where these expert tips come in handy. They can help ensure your success at becoming a budding novelist no matter how much work you have going on at school.

1 - Refine Your Writing Skills
First, you need to make sure that you are actually ready to write a book during your college career. If not, the project will be nothing more than another distraction that paradoxically keeps you from writing and developing your craft. You also need to consider how involved in outside activities you might become while working on the novel. Ideally, you want to have the bulk of your book written before you start college. Then, it’s just a matter of finishing up your final edits. But if you are starting from scratch don’t be deterred. It’s never too late to start.

Another thing to keep in mind is that with most publishing companies if you are submitting work that has been already published, they will not accept it. It must be original for them to consider it. One of the best ways to refine your skills is to seek out the help of proofreaders, to help with both grammar and style. This also helps you get a better idea of areas where your writing needs a little extra work.

2 - Find Your Creative Space
A lot of people like to write in quiet and peaceful places, but maybe you need something more. You need to find that spot where your are in your creative zone. There are some great ways to find new ideas for creative writing that can help jumpstart your project. Also, it doesn’t hurt to be ready to take some notes on the subject matter at hand whenever they hit. You never know when something might pop up! The bed, the shower, or even the bus are all great places to take some notes when inspiration hits. Not all people are the same. Some can only write one might like peace and quiet, while other writers work best in a café and need to be surrounded by others.

3 - Set Goals for Yourself
You also need to keep the main goal of writing a book in perspective. Sometimes, it’s important to set deadlines for yourself. After all, if you don’t have a goal then what is the point? But you need to be realistic about this as well. A book takes a lot of work and if you don’t meet your deadline, it could put a downer on your project. So be honest about how much time you can afford to dedicate to writing.

You also need to make sure that you are in the right state of mind for writing, so if not then take a break and come back to it when you are. There might even be days where you just don’t feel like writing, so that is completely understandable as well. If your main goal is simply finishing your book then that is a great achievement in itself. But it’s also good to have smaller milestones that you can cross off one by one. Maybe you just want to write 500 words a day, or maybe you want to edit another chapter. Just setting small goals for yourself can help you reach your final and ultimate goal of finishing the book.

4 - Create a Dedicated Writing Space
If you’re going to be doing a lot of your writing at home, then it would benefit you to have a dedicated space for writing only. This can help you stay focused on your words and less likely to get side-tracked by other things going on around you. You should also make sure that you stay hydrated. Water is great for your overall health, and it’s necessary to keep you alert when writing. For some writers, a clean desk and a minimum of clutter are critical. Other would be novelist find energy and inspiration from all the objects around them. Experiment and find what works for you.

5 - Establish a Writing Routine
A writing routine can keep you on track, but also help you move forward with your book. Try working at the same time every day, even if just for an hour or two. Your routine might change over time, but it’s important to have consistency. This will also help you avoid distractions, as you know exactly when it’s time to write. A lot of people think that writing is difficult, but it becomes even more difficult when if you can find excuses, put it off and end up not doing much of it at all. If you write every day, you get used to writing and learn to get through your projects much more quickly. Many successful writers will tell you that if you want to write a book (in college or otherwise), then you must be willing to write every day. You may even find this daily routine far easier than if you only write every once in a while.

6 - Find Other Creative Ways to Get Inspired
The most important thing is staying inspired. It’s hard to write a book if you are not able to be imaginative and original. If you need ideas, then there are many creative ways to inspire yourself. You can create mood boards that pull images from the internet that represent the tone of your book. You can do some research on things you are interested in. You can also join a local writers group or one online. These are all great ways to get your creative juices flowing.

7 - Turn Your Passion Into the Subject of the Book
If you’re passionate about something, then it would probably be pretty easy to write a book about it. For instance, if you’re passionate about makeup then maybe there is a book on that. Love to travel? How about writing a mystery in a far-off locale? Or if you’re passionate about baking then that can be your chance to develop your own cookbook. Just turn your interest into a book and you’re halfway there!

8 - Don’t Give Up
Writing a book is not easy, but if you are dedicated you can do it. The most important thing to remember is that writing takes time and you need to be willing to invest in it consistently, even if for only 30 minutes or an hour per day.

The eight expert tips we've outlined will help you write your book while in college. By setting goals, finding a writing space, and creating a routine, you'll be well on your way to finishing your project!