What you need to know before you write

  1. Why are you writing about the subject – what is your purpose?

If you know exactly what your subject is all about and why you are writing the story, then it makes it easier for you to read/research other authors who have covered similar issues. Remember, it is very unusual to come up with a subject or topic that has never been written about before. If someone else has written on the same subject, it does not mean that you cannot write about it. All you need, is to revolutionize the existing and do a complete facelift using your creativity and imagination – absolutely nothing wrong with that! Approach it from a new, fresh angle.  

  1. Why should anyone read it?

You should understand that if you want to commercialize your writing, it should appeal to more than friends and family. It should reach out to interest a significant market segment. What will be the appeal? Will it be a self-help novel that will assist a sizeable portion of society in dealing with the trauma of hijacking or will it provide learning lessons for young readers? There must be something in it for the potential reader.  

  1. Who will be reading your story?

Determine your age group and key target area for reading your book. If, for example, you are writing for children, break this down into the age category. Will it be suitable for very young readers or teens or young adults? Is there a market for the story in this category? If, for instance, you decide to write a book for children on The Importance of Salmon Oil in Young Years, the subject may be appropriate and relevant to the age group but how many children will read such a story? In such a case, you may then write on the subject but write it rather for the parents of children. You are more likely to get a larger readership for the same subject. It is also important to know what your age group of reader is because you want to use the appropriate vocabulary and style most suited to that particular reader. Sometimes, children feel as though they are being ‘talked down’ to if the vocabulary is too simple and sometimes there may be so many difficult words that the author has used, that the reader’s flow of thoughts gets interrupted by the unfamiliar vocabulary.  

  1. Have you carried out related research with respect to the subject and style of writing?

The old cliché of READ, READ, READ, holds true. You have to read any and all books that have been written on the same subject and using the style of writing that you would like to use. Some people believe that they can write just as well without the need to read other work – not true. By reading (or research), you can decide if your language is appropriately chosen, if your ideas have not already been written about, if you should approach the subject from yet another angle. If possible, you should talk about the idea (without giving away the whole story) to a potential reader and judge their level of interest.  

  1. Where can I get MORE ideas from?

So you have an idea of what you’re going to write about. A story (fiction) has more than just a main plot or idea – it has sub-plots. Ideas for the sub-plot and sometimes even the main plot can come from things such as:  Media (radio, tv, internet); Literature (magazines, books, newspapers); Films (movies, documentaries); Personal experiences (home, school, family); Discussion & brainstorming; Visual observations; Dreams, memories etc    

  1. From whose point of view will you be writing?

This is important because you must have the ability to start and sustain that point of view throughout your writing. The following options exist:

REMEMBER: Your idea for a story might be fantastic but if you cannot satisfy the key questions above, you may have setbacks later on.