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How To Write a Book: How Do You Write A Book?

I believe the ancient Greeks had it right about the arts. The Muses come upon the lucky mortal, and inspiration flows through the person in the form of writing, painting, dance, you get it. 

We, mortals, are not helpless muse targets. There are things we can do to call a muse to ourselves. My recommendation is to immerse yourself in the art you love, so if you want to write, READ, READ, READ! I hope this is a particular joy for you, or you have another way of immersing yourself in the written word. YES, the written word. I'm an enthusiastic fan of audiobooks, but listening and reading are two different things, and you'll need the benefits of gobbling up the written word.


Okay, so you're reading? Next, let your imagination run free. Sit back in a park. Watch the clouds drift past. Think about your characters, their motivations, and what they're doing. Habitually indulge in this and keep some notes as bread crumbs back to your inspirations. Don't have a park handy? Too busy? While writing my first book Stealing Venice, I used to slip into that world--no hardship since it's set in Venice and Paris-- during my morning and afternoon commute. A welcome escape during gridlocked traffic on the 10 Freeway.


I'd write for an hour once I reached home and thunder out what had just come to me. That is how my muse works. When I read what I've written, it's almost as if I don't recall writing those words. They came through me into my manuscript. There are as many inspirations as there are writers. So, have you called your muse today?

-- Anna Erikssön Bendewald




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