Book Writing

Last week, I met a counselling teacher whom I wasn't familiar, at Nilai Giant. He recognized and acknowledged me and we stood a while to chat. My poor memory was at rest and I promptly forgot his name. In our conversation he wanted to know what I was doing now and of course my standard response to such question was RTM - Rehat, Tidur, Makan. He didn't believe me. So I told him I am back writing a book. He was interested and quizzed me on how to write. Since he was eager to know, I gave him a short lecture on the process of writing a book - in 5 minutes!! I hope he understood what I was saying. Anyway, I have received the same question over and over again and I want to share with you my method on writing a book.

First, please be aware that I have never attended any course or workshop on book writing - academic or creative. But I have read a few articles on the subject. What I have is a deep interest to share my knowledge and experience, in writing. I started writing short articles in newspapers, magazines and office bulletins in 1983 and some people persuaded me to write more. That helped me to gain confidence especially when my bosses complimented on my articles. Wah....kembang!!

In a nutshell this is how I write.
1. Idea stage - I have an idea in my mind on the subject to write. I know, once I have that idea, I need to fertilize it, otherwise it will occupy my mind which makes me uneasy until I sit down to write it.
2. Fertilization process - I read and read and think and think, and research and research. I sleep, eat, ponder and dream with the idea. Whatever materials I found, I'll print, photocopy or buy and stuff them in a file which I called 'Fertilization File'. I do a lot of library and internet research.
3. Reading process - I began to read the old and new materials which I have collected and jotting down important points. They are in huge jumble and can be mind-boggling but I don't care.
4. Writing process - This is a tough part. Sometimes I got stuck here on how to begin and what to write or my mood just abandoned me. So, I have to motivate myself in my own way especially by writing down my time-limit goal. I employ a free-flow style.
First stage -I just write whatever comes in my mind based on my reading, research and my experience. I don't sanction my writing - it's mine and mine alone, so why bother what's right, what's wrong? At this stage there was no sections or chapters and I kept on writing and adding more relevant information and ideas until I am satisfied. I don't care about language, spelling, punctuations or appropriate words yet, writing everything down is my focus. I make sure I write down my references first in case I lose or forget it.
Second stage - Rereading the product and from here I got the idea of chapters, topics and contents. So the process of cut and paste for the right chapters begins. At the same time, more reading and researching and more information will surface. At this stage, I usually suffer from sudden ideas surfacing at any time of the day or night. I will get up and jot it down or less I'll forget the next day. I will stop by the roadside if I am driving to jot down the ideas that come at that moment. I will stop eating and jot ideas in my notebook which is always with me. It's like a fever! I dream my book.
Third stage - writing proper chapters. I begin the process of editing where I pay attention not only to contents but also to appropriate words and terms, the language, spelling and structure. Sometimes I am so focused on the book, I am not able to sleep until I am satisfied and happy with the days' work. Usually I go to sleep at the wee hours in the morning.
Fourth stage - exhaustion. So the book goes into hibernation for a while until I pick up stamina to look at it again and this time it is a non-stop train journey. I'll work to improve on it until I am satisfied. More additional information is added, more changes which provide better structure and more relax as I see my product.
Fifth stage presenting the book to the publisher for the editors to go through and answer queries from them. I make adjustments through their suggestions. AND a sigh of relief, it's over. I just wait for the publication to be out. It takes quite some time to reach this level.
Sounds easy, isn't it? So no big deal, anyone can do it if she/ he puts heart and soul into it. You need very little, mainly interest, dedication, focus, knowledge and a huge dose of self-confidence and believe in yourself.

Life is difficult if you make it so.
The eyes catch the beauty of God's creation but the heart catches the beauty of the soul.