10 Tips for Writing Your First Book (From Someone Who’s Been There)

10 Tips for Writing Your First Book (From Someone Who’s Been There)

Writing your first book is both exhilarating and overwhelming. You’re staring at a blank page with a million ideas swirling in your head, but no clear path forward. I’ve been there.

Whether you want to share your story, establish authority in your field, or just finally get that idea out of your head and onto paper, here are 10 practical tips to help you start (and actually finish) writing your first book.

1. Start Before You Feel Ready

If you wait until you're "ready," you'll never start. Perfectionism kills progress. Begin with messy notes, scattered thoughts, and unfinished ideas, it’s all part of the process. I always start with a bunch of bullet points that reflect the stories, ideas or tips I want to unpack in my book first. Then from there, I organize them into chapters. If you want help with this process I'd love to work with you 1:1 to get you started!

2. Get Clear on Your “Why”

Are you writing to help others? Share your personal journey? Build your brand? Knowing your reason will help you stay motivated when the doubt kicks in. It will also help determine the type of audience you'll be speaking to so that you can gear the content towards them.

3. Write Like You Speak

Don’t overthink the writing. Just talk to the page like you would to a friend. Authentic voices connect more than perfect grammar ever will. If you've read either of my two books: The Million Dollar Bakery or Wake Up & Smell the Coffee, you'll know I write exactly how I speak in real life. This is extremely important in self-help, non-fiction or memoir writing as it's what allows people to understand and connect with you on a personal level.

4. Set Tiny, Achievable Goals

Instead of aiming to “write a full chapter,” aim to write for 20 minutes a day or 300 words. Small wins build momentum, and momentum gets books finished. I cannot stress this enough. When I first began writing I would wait until I felt inspired or in the mood and it was way too inconsistent. Writing and finishing a book takes intentionality and setting aside dedicated chunks of time. If you feel uninspired during some of the dedicated time, use chatGPT to help with some prompts or brainstorming ideas to get the spark going.

5. Create a Writing Ritual

Light a candle, grab your coffee, or find your favourite spot. A consistent routine signals your brain that it’s time to write—and helps build creative flow.

6. Don’t Edit While You Write

Your inner critic has no place in your first draft. Let the words spill out. Editing comes later—this is about getting the story down first. One of my favourite authors told me that she never rereads her work when writing the first draft. I tried this approach during the process of writing my second book and it works really well! The only suggestion I have if you take this approach is to make sure you have a very organized outline of your book and document which main talking points are part of which chapter so you don't end up repeating yourself or forgetting anything. If you take breaks in between writing, it is very easy to forget what you've already written about.

7. Organize Your Ideas with a Simple Outline

You don’t need a rigid structure, but a loose map of your chapters or key themes helps keep things on track. Think of it as your creative compass. I have a very clear and easy approach I use to outline and map out my books. Connect with me through my 1:1 mentoring and I can guide you through it!

8. Expect to Hit a Wall—and Write Anyway

Writer’s block isn’t a sign you should stop. It’s part of the process. Keep showing up, even if what you write feels “bad.” That’s how breakthroughs happen. The more you work through walls and blocks the less you will have them. I will say though that adopting a healthy diet and wellness routine with a proper sleep schedule really help. Showing up with clarity and energy is a game-changer and cannot be understated. If you're not fueling and taking proper care of your body, mind and spirit you will run into fatigue, brain fog, low energy and mental health issues that will impede your ability to think and write clearly. Also, avoid alcohol! I know so many creatives like to create with a buzz but it does more harm than good in the long run and leaves you feeling worse in the days that follow ultimately leading to less productive days.

9. Talk About It Before You Feel Finished

Sharing that you’re writing a book (even before it’s done) creates accountability and helps people cheer you on. You never know who might need to hear what you’re working on. Don't get discouraged or feel bad if people keep asking how it's going even during times you're not actively working on it. This can be annoying but people mean well and we can sometimes be hard on ourselves when we feel called out for not writing. Life happens. Just accept their interest in what your doing with grace and don't take it personally if you have to say you've taken a break from it for a bit.

10. Get Support if You Need It

Writing a book is hard—but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s feedback, structure, or self-publishing guidance, investing in the right support makes the process smoother and way less overwhelming. This is why I started my 1:1 mentoring program to help guide the process from start to finish. Also, joining a writing community is extremely beneficial! I am part of the London Writers Society and it has been the best experience. Being around like-minded individuals who all share similar interests is so important.

Want Help Writing Your Book?

I offer 1:1 virtual mentoring for aspiring authors who want to write and self-publish with ease. My rate is $150/hour, and I’ll walk you through everything—from finding your message to publishing your finished book affordably and confidently.

Your story matters. Your voice matters. And someone out there is waiting for the words only you can write. So start. Even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.