Writing is something I enjoy doing and want to do, but at times I feel overwhelmed. I write articles for small papers, but this is my first time trying to write a non fiction book. I feel totally lost it seems I have is an idea, but that is about it. I would like to write about older people about what they have experienced. I don't know where I should start or if it is a good idea. I keep questioning and doubting myself. I was wondering if anyone else has ever felt this way?
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It's overwhelming to start a project, especially one as large as a book. It always helps me to create order out of chaos - or at least give the seeming appearance of order to the chaos.
1) Research. Research your topic, research the market for the topic, read books similar to yours that are already on the shelves.
2) Battle plan. How will you approach your chosen topic? How is your approach different from what's already out there? How will your work stand out?
3) Outline. What do you want to address? If you want to compile vignettes/chapters of various people's experiences, what people? what experiences? how are you going to approach them and how are you going to present the stories? Line it all up.
4) Execution. Get to it.
1) Research. Research your topic, research the market for the topic, read books similar to yours that are already on the shelves.
2) Battle plan. How will you approach your chosen topic? How is your approach different from what's already out there? How will your work stand out?
3) Outline. What do you want to address? If you want to compile vignettes/chapters of various people's experiences, what people? what experiences? how are you going to approach them and how are you going to present the stories? Line it all up.
4) Execution. Get to it.
It feels a bit like eating an elephant, doesn't it? Overwhelming when you look at all of it and try to envision how you're ever going to get all the way through it. Just break it down into manageable bites.
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Hi clraindrops,
One of things that really helped me when I was starting to work on my book (it's an essay anthology) was writing the book proposal. I felt exactly like you do, I think -- just so over my head -- but working on the proposal took me through all of my ideas, more or less, and was a nice way to get everything down on paper. And then once I was done, I had a book proposal, which was a nice side benefit!
I followed the guidelines I found here -- they seem pretty standard.
Hope this helps! Good luck! And like Birol said, just one bite at a time.
One of things that really helped me when I was starting to work on my book (it's an essay anthology) was writing the book proposal. I felt exactly like you do, I think -- just so over my head -- but working on the proposal took me through all of my ideas, more or less, and was a nice way to get everything down on paper. And then once I was done, I had a book proposal, which was a nice side benefit!
I followed the guidelines I found here -- they seem pretty standard.
Hope this helps! Good luck! And like Birol said, just one bite at a time.
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I did something very simple the other day to help clarify what I wanted to do. I wrote myself a letter describing my project. It was less formal than a plan, but putting the steps down in writing made it seem more do-able somehow. Sort of like how a shopping list makes that big store less of a giant minefield.
I love brainstorming. Sit down, set a timer and just write out all the angles you could possibly work with. Write everything down, even the ones that seem ridiculous. Don't edit a thing, just write everything that comes to mind. For instance, old people and their experiences: you could brainstorm wars, marriage, space travel, electricity... Then when you're done, sort through for nuggets, say marriage, then brainstorm those angles: divorce in each decade, children, jobs outside the home, traveling, etc etc etc.
I've found that I'm able to choose my direction because I'll be naturally drawn to certain ideas.
BTW, welcome to AW!
I've found that I'm able to choose my direction because I'll be naturally drawn to certain ideas.
BTW, welcome to AW!
You are not alone. My thoughts are with you in this time of frustration. Good luck getting through to the other side.
Yes I feel like that sometimes just trying to do a short story. Just start with an outline (or whatever you do) and then go from there. Take it in small steps and it won't seem so bad.
Last Summer/Early Fall I decided I wanted to try and write a childrens book. I pondered and pondered and thought about how to find a story in my head, and was never able to. Then NANO came around, and all of a sudden, the most fantastic-est idea came to mind. Out of nowhere. I knew it was perfect. It was not a childrens book, it was a memoir. So, I think when you are ready to write, a topic will come to mind. Vice Versa. Or something like that. Wink.
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With the non-fiction books I am working on, I rely on outlining. I approach like a thesis paper only more interesting.
The rest have given the best advice. Break it down into manageable pieces. When you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break..workout..and come back to it after you have eaten a good meal and taken time for you.
*looks around* wot? food is good for the brain.
The rest have given the best advice. Break it down into manageable pieces. When you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break..workout..and come back to it after you have eaten a good meal and taken time for you.
*looks around* wot? food is good for the brain.
thank you for helping me. I never thought about it that way. I have been looking at the big picture instead of taking it little by little. I am going to sit down and start writing it out and breaking it down. Thank you for the advice you have helped me breaking it down. Knowing others feel this way and what has worked for you is making it more managable.
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I'm just underway with my first non-fiction book, and I feel your pain. The one big thing I've learned so far is outline. Outline in detail. Outline relentlessly. That way, as you're pulling in different bits of research, you can put them together with other pieces that go into the same place in your book. I have a Word doc called "Outline" that contains a listing and 1-2 sentences of what each chapter is about. For each chapter, I have a separate Word doc. As I snag a choice piece of info or research material, I quickly figure out where it belongs, and dump it into that doc. For general stuff, or stuff that I'm not sure where it's going to land, I dump it into a "Misc" doc. This helps to keep me sane. 
Lost
Daniel Boone was once asked if he'd ever been lost. "No," he said, "but I was once a mite confused for about three days."
Lot of truth in this, I think, for writers, as well as explorers. Sometimes we're just a mite confused for a time, and we have to keep cutting circles until we find the right path again.
Daniel Boone was once asked if he'd ever been lost. "No," he said, "but I was once a mite confused for about three days."
Lot of truth in this, I think, for writers, as well as explorers. Sometimes we're just a mite confused for a time, and we have to keep cutting circles until we find the right path again.
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For nonfiction (when I have to write proyects and whatever) I usually have only a vague idea of what I want to do. So I start doing research until one of the topics jumps at me, and that's where I start. Outlines somehow don't do the trick for me...
Definitely felt like that. I get like that when I work on second drafts. I look at the amount of line edits for clarity, the addition of scenes necessary to fill plot holes, the crispness and completeness of the clarification, does it sound honest and true.
And at first I am horribly lost and confused. Find a focus point. Focus on it. Then find a starting point. Start.
Consider each piece of it is a task. Complete each task.
Best of luck to you. We do know how you feel.
And at first I am horribly lost and confused. Find a focus point. Focus on it. Then find a starting point. Start.
Consider each piece of it is a task. Complete each task.
Best of luck to you. We do know how you feel.
The whole process of writing is really puzzling over pieces -- all of which are too big and heavy for you -- and struggling to get them to fit together properly. Fortunately, it's a sheer delight when they do and it's all worthwhile. Keep at it. And it's those discouraged moments when forums like this come in handy.
On top of breaking things down into manageable bites, sometimes what helps me get clarity is to step back and ask myself why I'm writing a particular story or idea.
Is it because I feel it needs to be told? Is it because I think I have a unique angle (if so, how can I draw that out)? Is it something I have a passion for or is it just something that has caught my "fancy" that I keep telling myself to get to (that usually is a clue I need to either find the passion or set it aside until it I can really believe in what I'm writing).
Usually when I can answer why, the process starts to sort itself out (or at least clears out some of the mental debris that blocks the creative part of writing).
Is it because I feel it needs to be told? Is it because I think I have a unique angle (if so, how can I draw that out)? Is it something I have a passion for or is it just something that has caught my "fancy" that I keep telling myself to get to (that usually is a clue I need to either find the passion or set it aside until it I can really believe in what I'm writing).
Usually when I can answer why, the process starts to sort itself out (or at least clears out some of the mental debris that blocks the creative part of writing).
I think everyone feels like that.
An outline will help.
Some do really detailed, thorough outlines, where as mine are just a jotted down quick map of main events ( I barely call it an outline, but I guess technically it is). I concentrate on those main events, then add in
and add
and take away
and add
and take away
and you get the picture...lol
An outline will help.
Some do really detailed, thorough outlines, where as mine are just a jotted down quick map of main events ( I barely call it an outline, but I guess technically it is). I concentrate on those main events, then add in
and add
and take away
and add
and take away
and you get the picture...lol
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