Writing the Book You Want to Read

Hello, fellow nerds!

I know it's been a little while since I've posted on here, but today I was inspired to type up a post on writing the book that you want to read. Just hear me out, though: I know "write the book you want to read" may seem like another cliche writing tip, and in a way it sort of is! But I just really wanted to break it down a bit and tell you guys what I get out of it. I've seen that tip scattered about the Internet, and although it does seem like it would be pretty helpful, it doesn't exactly offer you much of an explanation. I mean, what any writer wouldn't give to be able to write the book they truly wanted to read. . .

I just thought that it was too good a tip to not offer some sort of explanation for. You obviously can't expect someone to tell you how to write your own book (or even just a book), but even just a suggestion on where to start sure would be nice!

Originally I tried asking myself, "What do I like to read?", and then maybe I could try to replicate those specifics. That didn't work. See, in my head I'd had this perfect little book pictured, but without really much of a plot or anything like that. It was more of an incredibly specific vibe, because that was the vibe I liked to see in books.

Naturally, this was super unhelpful and frustrating, too. I couldn't capture that vibe onto paper and that left me wondering just what it was that I liked to read, and how I could write a book like it.

Well, I guess I had just been asking myself the wrong question. :/

I saw something on social media (probably Pinterest but I don't remember. . . so thank you to whoever wrote that!) about writing what you want to read. Except this one said something about making a list of things--even really small things--you liked reading in books, and then writing a book with those things incorporated.

Doesn't that sound pretty simple? Simple yet effective.

Well, I tried it, and I still have an ongoing list of things that I love reading about. It really contains stuff anywhere from "sweet, shy characters" and "tranquil forests" to "fantasy worlds rich in lore" and "characters who are too close to ever fall in love". And it really has been interesting figuring out what I love about my favorite books, too. :D

I've actually had writer's block for a little while now, a problem that comes and goes for me, sometimes no matter what I do. Lately my writing hasn't quite been flowing the way that I want it to. On the other hand, I've been trying--somewhat unsuccessfully--to fuel this idea I've had for awhile now. Although I'm not sure I realized it at first, the idea seems to have that vibe of books that I really like reading, so I'm looking forward to getting it started. And that's been a lot more difficult than I expected (I've had to scrap an unholy amount of beginnings), but luckily I've been working on a beginning that I think is going to stick. At least, I hope so. . . 

But anyway, with that new idea I'm hoping I can incorporate some of the entries on my list, and if I can, that should work out pretty well. What I want is to write a book that clearly has a story to tell: one that keeps its readers awake late into the night, turning pages and wondering what will become of their beloved characters. I want them to relate and appreciate every aspect of both the characters and the story. If I accomplish this, I do believe that I'll feel like a successful writer, even if my audience is a small one. :)

I hope this post was somewhat helpful, and if so, feel free to let me know in the comments below. :D Also, here's a link to my writing board on Pinterest; it has a ton of great writing resources like tips, quotes, inspiration, and more. 

And who knows? Maybe you'll be able to apply this concept to your writing and see where it takes you.

Thank you for reading, and have a nice day!