(ThyBlackMan.com) Back in 2008 I had written a script called étouffée and I wanted to make that script into a movie. Fast forward about seven months later I was lucky enough to have conversations with Alpha Tyler, they will know in casting director who’s worked with everyone from Spike Lee to Martin Lawrence. She gave me some ideas about turning this script into a stage play. After some careful consideration I decided that making a movie for the first time at the age Of 24 it was probably not the best idea considering I had no money saved and no true connections to the film industry at the time. I decided to write a book under the same name étouffée with the entire exact same premise as the Aforementioned script. After two years of tedious work turning that script into a novel I was sitting in front of a crowd at Barnes and Noble in Lafayette Louisiana reaping the benefits of my hard work and decently written debut novel. 10 years later I am in the process of writing and releasing my fourth book, third novel later this year and titled I hope you wake up in heaven which is the final novel in the “Creole trilogy” about a father raising his daughter and a segregated southern Louisiana town. Over the last decade I’ve had several dozen people inquire about how to write a novel, how to publish a novel, and how to “make it“ in the entertainment business. While there is no exact answer or special formula below I will highlight a few of the ways you can finally write that book.
Five steps to get there.
5. Stop thinking, start writing. I’ve had this problem for the last several years but thinking about writing the book and have an amazing ideas is one thing, but actually executing and putting the pen to paper or the finger to key is essential. Just WRITE. Leave the worrying for later. Also, remember to develop a knack for reading just so you are aware of the different techniques, the best practices, and the latest trends followed by different authors. For instance, if you are planning to engage in writing thrillers, you may want to go through the books of J.D. Barker, who can enlighten you on the nitty-gritty of this genre. 
4. Write vulnerable. Riding without fear is the reason I chose to write. The creative expression of allowing yourself to just be free with the written word takes vulnerability but also comes with freedom in my opinion. Being more vulnerable and open and sensitive and showing attention to detail with your writing will not only make you feel great but bring readers closer to your storyline. Everyone loves transparency and straight to the heart writing. Let your guard down and write from the depths of your soul. That vulnerability will be cathartic.
3. Set a writing on schedule for yourself. Make it a sanctuary the place where you write. Make sure that it is comfortable and feels good to go into that place. It’s sort of like getting ready for bed, knowing you were going into a safe and comfortable space mentally and physically. This will help you and encourage you to stay on pace and to go to this place frequently.
2. Four pages A day keeps the procrastination away. Let’s say that you want to write a 230 page book. If you are writing just four pages a day for 57 days (less than two months) your book will be complete. Not hard at all if you stay on task and never deviate. If you up the pages to just 9 a day, do you finish the book and just under one month.
1. Do not compete. I believe the biggest roadblock to you writing your book is procrastination and a part of that is thinking about how your book will perform on the very convoluted and dense market not just with books but entertainment in general. Stop worrying about competing. If writing a book is truly your goal the outcome in terms of sales are noteworthiness doesn’t even matter. I bet if you looked through your phone for published authors that you personally know you wouldn’t know many. On the contrary I bet if you look through that same phone for a lawyer or a doctor he would probably know at least one of each. Just know that writing a book is not an easy task but with the steps you can get there.
The objective here is getting the book written. Too many times authors and authors-to -be worry about the aftermath of writing the book like marketing, sales, branding, and other things that have nothing to do with the actual process of writing the book. Just make sure you stay consistent, fight procrastination, and follow through on your daily goals in order to write that book, finally.
Staff Writer; Charles Foster Jolivette
This talented young man can also be found over at; The California Creole and also Charles Patreon Page.
