How would you go about writing a book?

I have many journals starting when I lost Dustin. Many have told me to just start writing from my journals, from my broken heart I suppose.

I'd just start writing and see what happens. I thought once I'd like to write a book but I don't think it will ever happen now. The best I'm ever likely to do would be a collection of some of my 'better' writings. I have a few short stories I like. And a couple of doggerel poems.

Start to write and then you will organize your chapters. Too funny is not appropriate to the topic, boring would prevent people to buy, be "real", tell stories exactly as you lived them, just like you were talking to friends.

You already have the method down. Just write another short story and keep going with it. Personally, I think being funny is the best angle.

Do you know this book? I had to think of it. The author grouped different cases of mental illness and wrote a very readable book which is fascinating also for lay people. You could also group the different cases of children you worked with and then tell them not in an entertainig way but not in a scientific one, either. Maybe (re)reading the above mentioned book can help you find the right tone. If you want to use your own photos, don't take photos of children while you are standing (towering) over them (like the one for this post). The result is always that the legs are too short. Often the heads are too big, too. You have to be on the same level as the object you take a photo of.

@TheHorse I probably am not one to tell you how to write a book but I will share my experience. I used to like to write short stories on my cat that I had before Sophie. I decided I wanted to turn one into a book. So I went to those that could help me figure out how to do the dialogue and then when it was finally done I self published it and at first could get the number of copies and sold those so wanted to get more but I was told I had to do at least 10 and I really did not sell the new ones so gave away. My book was a children and educational book about a door. My cat would go out on adventures and so I decided to have her go out like she always did but when she came back inside the door stopped her and was complaining about all those that slam their doors and he wanted to put a petition together against them and if we slammed our door we could not go out and had to stay inside. It was cute. I did the graphics. I put the door on the cover and a mouth and hands. It was a cute story but did not know how to sell it.

Just write what you can squeeze from your brain then revise it to make it more professional.

Just tell the story as it comes. I have not written one but know how I like to read them.

decide how ya wish such to be viewed by the masses. i'd most certainly toss "boring and academic" out the window. humor 'n patience, thinkin' outside the box 't times's how y'ave been successful'n yer workin' with young'uns. jest bring that to yer writin'. jest start 'n let 't go. there'll be time fer chapter 'rrangements 'n such later. p.s. notes 're helpful with page #'s fer later.

I'm sorry I have absolutely no advice, as the first and last book I ever wrote was in the sixth grade. I think I got a B-. So I wouldn't listen to me if I were you. But best wishes, I really think you'll write a very interesting book about your experiences.

Shut your inner critic in the basement or the attic or a dark, hall closet. Then just start: specifics, what comes to mind?? What mind picture won't let go of you? What yanks your chain the hardest? Forget that you are writing for a mass of people. Just let out what your inner kid wants to hear.

I've published a novel and the rest of my books are poetry/lyrics and some prose. Never done a non-fiction book... I'd just focus on writing right now and worry about organizing, editing later. You want the book to inform/educate, entertain and make people feel something... Get everything that you want to say on paper and then deal with the rest. I am not a fan of outlines and never do them but you may wanna just down key areas you wanna cover... so you don't forget anything.

The actual writing isn't the hard part. Just sit down and write. And you can publish it fairly easily now. Either finding a publishing company or self publishing through Kindle//Amazon.

If I were you, I would just sit down, picture all the experiences, anecdotes, downsides, advantages, weaknesses, strenghts, challenges, poverty, humility, and people that you met there who might inspire others to deal with living in such places and how to overcome the issues they face in daily life, then inspiration will do the rest.

First of all, if you are writing about a specific time in your life (which you have indicated you are), that is considered a memoir. If you are writing about your whole life, then it is a biography. The topic of your story doesn't sound funny, but if there were humourous moments, be sure to include them. If there were very sad moments, include them as well. I think having a reader being able to laugh and cry while reading a book is going to be the best seller. Just don't be boring.

I faintly recollect having asked you to write books that help people to bring up their kids better. As to attaching jumper cables to your tongue and toes, wouldn't I love to see you in that situation. I might even dare to brave one shark on the way.

for me I guess to outline first and work it from there?

I have not published yet but I am doing mine in chapters, since yours will be about your work and experiences I would do a child as a chapter. Maybe a town as a chapter. I am writing about the homestead for one book, another will be the cook book for the homestead and I have a cookbook just about done. I wrote a book of poems but I am not sure they are good enough to publish. Maybe go to the library and look at books like you intent to write so see if there is a layout you are attracted to. OH and just be yourself, funny when need to be and serious when needed.

My pinterest is FULL of articles talking about how to start writing a book. If you don't know where to start but you have a few idea I would recommend to write them down when you feel inspired, and focus on organizing them later. And depending on who you want to read your book (young adults, adults, people that work on that specific area) is what you should consider. If you want it to be read by people that have something to do with this kind of social things, then it'll be a more serious setting (or boring and academic, as you put it) but if you want a boy in the neighborhood to pick it up and get interested I think you should make it more personal.

Like most people do - one word at a time!