5 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Write a Book

You've got an idea, a few characters and your settings sketched out. But before you sit down to write a book, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions before you start stomping the keyboard.  
 
Why do you want to write a book? 
Writing a book can become a real labour of love, so it’s important to understand the why behind writing it. Dedicate some time to understand your motivations for wanting to write a book. To get to your why, try this exercise: 
 
Q: Why do I want to write a book? 
 
A: Because I want to explore Yorkshire folktales. 
 
Q: Why do I want to explore Yorkshire folktales? 
 
A: Because I want to feel connected to my home.  
 
Repeat this line of questioning five times. Your fifth answer will be the key to staying motivated while writing your book.  
 
When will you write your book? 
Now that you're dedicated to writing a book, you must find the time to start drafting it. Knowing when you’ll spend time with your book is essential to ensuring it becomes a tangible project. The sooner your book becomes a project, the sooner it becomes a priority.  
 
Have a look at your schedule and habits. What can you afford to let go of (for now) to make room for your book? 
 
For more tips on finding time to write, check out our post on developing a writing habit.   
 
How long will it take to write a book? 
Think about your book idea. How many words do you think it will take to encapsulate the story?  
 
Now triple whatever timeframe you come up with. Giving yourself and your book plenty of room to breathe is important. Burning through your book can: 
 

• Ruin the enjoyment of writing. 
• Compromise the quality of your work. 
• Lead to writer’s block or burnout. 

 
For more advice on writing to a deadline, check out our post on how to find time to write. 
 
What resources do you need to write a book? 
Take a beat to think about what inspires you to write. Having sources of inspiration jotted down can help you to navigate your way through writing your book. These sources will come in handy whenever you’re unsure of where to take your book next. 
 
Your sources of inspiration may include: 
 

• Scenes from certain books that achieve similar goals to your project. 

• Film soundtracks with a similar vibe to your work. 
• A Pinterest board filled with character and setting ideas. 
• Friends to bounce ideas off and troubleshoot with.  
• Watching writer vlogs on YouTube. 

 
How are you going to look after yourself while writing a book? 
This final question is the most crucial to keep in mind, but it is often the one that is easily dismissed. As we've mentioned, writing a book can become a labour of love, so you should include a plan on how you will take care of yourself during the process.  
 
You can: 
 

• Go on artist dates. 
• Schedule time away from your work to rest.  
• Carve out time for self-care. 
• Spend time with loved ones. 

• Prioritise your physical health.  

 
Make sure to take care of yourself as a writer, and the words will take care of themselves.  
 
Do you have any questions about the nitty-gritty aspects of writing a book? If so, our writing advisors will happily give you personalised feedback.