Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Writing a Book: Getting Started

The greatest, most important accomplishment a writer can ever accomplish is writing your first book. In fact, many writers liken the process of completing a manuscript to that of raising a child. The process of writing a book entails different dynamics; and as a writer, you need to be prepared to take on these.

Writing a book requires creativity, determination and focus, no matter what genre you are writing. This major undertaking usually starts with coming up with what to write about. You cannot worry about how your book will come out if you do not even know what to begin it with. By having a specific story or coming up with a compelling idea, you can start your journey to the writing process.

Many writers find the preliminary part to be the most difficult. If you find yourself in this quandary, here are some ways to help you get started.

Take notes. When an idea or inspiration about your book comes to mind, jot it down. Do not let these ideas simply zip you by. These greatly help you start to write and are very useful when putting your book together.

Research. It always helps. If you are writing non-fiction, you will always need facts to support your story even if your subject is about someone else. Research can help you go along as you write your book as well. By careful and thorough research, you are a better able to tell a story the best way possible.

Moreover, research is also essential to fiction writing as it is to non-fiction writing as well. Say you are writing about your character in a specific location. You need to clue the reader in on descriptive details, which is, what the reader essentially wants. By carefully researching the place you are writing about, you not only set the mood to your story – you add depth as well.

Once you will have gathered altogether your notes and ideas as well as done proper research, then you are all systems go with writing your book. Whether you prefer to do it electronically, the traditional manual fashion or both, it’s all up to you. What’s important is that you get started. More often than not, you will find yourself going once you have begun writing. This explains why the ‘getting started’ part is important. The key here is not to let anything get in your way.

Find time to write. The most important thing for any writer to successfully write his/her book is to always set aside time to write, no matter how busy your schedule is. Find time to write every week, best everyday. This increases your productivity and allows you to focus completely on your book and make more progress.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Protagonist in Self-published Book is Basis for Major Hollywood Movie, The Informant

Mark Whitacre Against All Odds by author Floyd Perry is the gripping story of Mark Whitacre, a top-level corporate executive who becomes an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He reveals his company’s multinational conspiracy of price fixing. Whitcare has then been known as the highest-ranking executive-turned-whistleblower in the entire history of the United States of America.

During the investigation, Whitacre admitted to having been involved with embezzling funds and receiving corporate kickbacks, which sent him to almost a decade in prison.

After having been freed from prison, Mark Whitacre revealed his reflections and realisations to Perry and the result became this self-published book, where Whitcare declares that spiritual wealth matters far more than material wealth and to be truthful at all times. His story provides spiritual boost that can be applied in everyday life.

Mark Whitacre’s story became the basis for the screenplay of the latest Hollywood motion picture, The Informant, starring Matt Damon. It is the latest movie under the direction of Steven Soderbergh, who is also known for the films Che, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic and Sex, Lies and Videotape.

Mark Whitacre Against All Odds is published by Xlibris.

Floyd Perry (pen name) met Mark Whitacre in 2003 in federal prison camp. His next book, The Den of Infinite Sadness, is due out this year. He is also writing a children’s adventure series.

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