The Fastest Way to Write Your Book

This book is about the fastest way to write your book ...and the fastest ways to create great ideas, plan your book, research it, edit it, find an agent or publisher, and sell it. How long does it take to write a book? Barbara Cartland usually took two weeks. Stephen King once did it in seven days. Alexandre Dumas did it in three. Proof that writing a book need not take months or even years as is generally thought. In fact some of the books that we now regard as classics (such as Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", Jack Kerouac's "The Subterraneans" or Walter Scott's "Waverley" novels) were written in just days, or a few weeks at most. Knowing that it can be done so quickly is one thing, but how did these writers - and many others - actually do it? What are their secrets? And how could modern technology make the process easier - and perhaps even faster - even if you hate using computers? You'll find all the answers in this highly readable, entertaining and inspiring book, which rediscovers the secrets of the speed-writing masters, updates them for today's writers and lifestyles, and adds hundreds of new hints, tips and techniques for good measure.

Dave Haslett wrote his first book (a 300-page illustrated guide to tropical fish) at the age of 13 and has since written novels, non-fiction books, screenplays, articles, short stories, reviews, poetry, and a monthly column. Before becoming a full-time writer, Dave spent many years in the computer industry where he designed and built customer-facing information systems and touch-screen kiosks. Later he moved into network systems, web design and programming. Other careers include nightclub DJ, cost accountant, and IT trainer. He has a post-graduate degree in computing. He founded ideas4writers, the ideas and inspiration website, in August 2002, and launched i4w2, the ethical self-publishing service, in August 2006. He is married to Kate, has two daughters, and lives in Devon, UK.