Two Potential Sources of Inspiration
The entire publishing industry is a battle between writing what you know and writing what sells. Writing what is familiar to you may seem the easiest and most natural for emerging authors. On the other hand, writing with marketing in mind implies less authenticity. While these can be two completely different things, there can be a lot of overlap in successful books without compromising the author’s integrity.
Over time, you will develop your identity as an author that informs your writing style and inspiration. This article will review these factors and help guide you on the road to being a published author.
Benefits of Writing What You Know
No matter the topic, when you write about topics you are familiar with, you will have a natural sense of ease. It can come more naturally for you, translating the thoughts in your head onto the page. This can include autobiographies, faith-based texts, children’s books, or general fiction, all incorporating elements from your own life. Poetry is some of the most personal writing an author can do, really baring their souls. It may be most natural to write non-fiction within these parameters, fiction can also incorporate elements of your life.
The book you write can be truly exceptional and share a true piece of yourself with the readers. Starting with this mindset can be beneficial to even just start the writing process. Beginning writing can be the most daunting part of finishing a book, so starting here is valid. Later on, you can edit and branch out into different ideas you are less familiar with.
If your book is entirely written based on what you know, the result can be something deeply personal to you. Your readers will be able to sense this authenticity throughout your book. This book could also be something you could treasure for the rest of your life.
Benefits of Writing to Market
Just because writing what is personal to you is more reflective of your inner thoughts, writing with a goal to successfully market your book cannot be discounted. You can still write a highly marketable book without compromising your artistic integrity. After all, publishing is a business like everything else, so financial success is important.
Fiction
It is most natural to want to write a fiction book for “the market.” You can let your imagination run wild and create a story you find inherently compelling. As long as you have the ability to craft a well-written novel, there is nothing wrong with this approach. Your creativity can still guide you and result in an excellent and successful book. This can include children’s books aiming to entertain, a “beach read,” or a steamy romance.
Non-Fiction
You can also write non-fiction geared for “the market” as well, even though there is less creative freedom. You never want to mislead readers into who you are as a person, but there can still be authenticity in non-fiction with mass appeal. For example, you can write a well-researched biography of a prominent historical figure or a compilation of previously-published matter. No matter what your non-fiction book is about, you can make it appealing to the masses.
Combining What You Know and Writing to the Market
As you become a more advanced and trained writer, you will learn how to mix the above elements into one work. Readers will be able to recognize that some of the most compelling writing comes from the author’s own life, even in fiction. That could be integrated into mass-appeal works to create a well-rounded whole. For example, you could create a cast of novel characters, some of whom you draw from your real life. Mixing different types of characters can yield a multi-faceted and complex work.
Some of the most compelling personal writing that has a huge audience is self-help books. The New York Times Best Sellers List even has a whole section for the genre. People who are looking for guidance in their lives are naturally drawn towards these kinds of books. What makes them so compelling is not just the advice in them — the author’s story drives the point home. When readers see someone in their position overcome adversity, they feel inspired to do the same.
Start Writing!
With all of this in mind, you may be wondering how to proceed from here. Just begin your personal writing process, and the rest will come naturally. The nitty gritty details can be finessed throughout the process, but you have to start somewhere.
Your first draft might lean heavily into writing what you know, which gradually fades over revisions. Or, it could start as a market-oriented manuscript that becomes more personal over time. Whether you create an outline first or let your writing come naturally, every author develops their personal path to success. Figuring out what works for you, from the first inspiration of an idea to the final draft, is what being an author is all about.
