How to write a book

This post is from Kim M Kimselius own webbsite. Don't hesitate to check it out here: 

"The most frequent question that Kim gets when she's out lecturing, in letters and in e-mails is: How do I write a book?

Below Kim gives you a few simple tips on writing a book/story. 

Befor you start writing your story

First you get a "Post-it"-pad (one of those little yellow/pink/grey sticky note pads). When an idea pops up, write it down on the paper. Next idea - next paper. Then gather them all either on a wall or in a book. (A wall is best, there you can look at your little papers all the time). Read through the notes when you think you have enough ideas. See if you have found ideas for a good beginning, a good ending, enough chapters etc. If you can’t find an ending, try figure one out. Otherwise you might risk getting stuck when you get there, not knowing what to write. Don’t write too much on your sticky papers – you don’t want a full chapter there, just hints for chapters. When you see and read the notes on the wall, new ideas might come up, or if you see a note that doesn’t fit in, you can just add to it or simply remove it. It must feel right! Don’t be afraid to alter or cut out pieces in your story even when you think it’s finished.

When you start writing your story

Picture yourself the person you want to write about, try to be that person, feel what she/he feels, see what that person sees and write everything down.

Don't use an eraser and never mind the spelling when you start. Write from your heart and let your fantasy flow.

Write as much as you can when you start. Follow "the thread" and stick to something important to hold the story together. (here you use the things written on your sticky papers.)

Not until you feel the story is readey you may start thinking about the spelling. Remember: you can alter the story, add to it or cut out pieces until you feel it is completely finished.

It' not important to concentrate on the language when you sketch your story. You can polish the text later when the story is ready.

Don't forget to describe where the persons are, what is happening around them - are there more people around? - what they do when they talk. In other words: remember that a dialogue is not enough!

Finishing your story

It's a good idea to let someone you trust read what you have written. This someone must not be afraid to criticise you and honestly say what thay think. Sometimes it's difficult to see faults in your own writing. The story might seem complicated and mixed up and even hard to understand. This is what you need your friend to discover!

Good luck with your writing!"

Inspired? Well you know what to do! Leave a comment below and get to it!

Kim's books in other languages

"Never had I dreamed that my books would be translated into other languages​​, the time I was eight years old I decided to become a writer . Now it's six languages ​​in total and several titles of each language. Here you can see them all:

English

Here is the English version of Back to Pompeii, Back to Pompeii. It is the latest translated book.

Serbian

The very first translation was of Curse of the Pharaoh, Pharaoh Novo prokletstvo, to Serbian.

The second book, which was translated into Serbian was I'm not a witch, Ja nisam Vestica.

The third book translated into Serbian was Back to Pompeii, Povratak u Pompeju, which is actually the first book in the series.

Finnish

Next translation of Back to Pompeii was Finnish. Paluu Pompeijiin.

The second book in Finnish was Pharaoh's curse, Faaraon Kirous. I like the Finnish book covers very much. I understand why the foreign publishers make use of the Swedish covers because they are so lovely.

Norwegian

The Norwegian Back to Pompeii, Tilbake til Pompeii, was supposed to be followed by I'm Not a Witch, but the publisher was closed and despite selling rights the book never published in Norwegian.

Spanish

Then came the turn of Spanish Back to Pompeii, Pompeya Comienza la aventura. This book is the only one that has pictures interspersed in the text, has become a bit more of a textbook than a fictional book.

Icelandic

I'm so happy for my Icelandic translated books. The first book Back to Pompeii, Aftur til Pompei. The books have done so that I have visited Iceland twice. This particular book was named one of the year's best foreign language books for young people when it came out in Iceland in 2009.

Other Icelandic book is I'm not a witch, Ég you ekki norn.

Third Icelandic book is Pharaoh's curse, Bölvun Pharaoh. Here, the publisher decided to make their own covers. Which do you prefer, the Swedish or Icelandic cover?

The fourth Icelandic book that came out was The Guillotine, Fallöxin, which means that the publisher has skipped Hidden Inca, Viking thrall, the Black Death and Snapphanar. Something that has not passed by the Icelandic fans. They have contacted me and wondered if the books really come out in the order they were written.

Fifth Icelandic book is Knight's value, Töfrasverdid. When the book came out, I was in Iceland and lectured and the kids laughed at me when I tried to pronounce the Icelandic title.

Yes, that was the foreign books so far. It will hopefully be several more languages, always fun to get set the foreign books in the bookcase."

Author Kim M. Kimselius on passionate writing

This interview is from INTERVIEWS THAT MATTER by Johan Dahlberg.

Yes, they matter

Every Monday I post a new interview. The subject? It can be anything, and that's the beauty of it! With "Interviews That Matter" my aim is to provide exciting reading material for your next coffee break. I want to explore topics as far-fetched as space travels, as nerdy as medieval role playing and as outrageous as gay rights. My three proclamations are to amaze, inspire and enlighten you.

Author Kim M. Kimselius on passionate writing

Kim M. Kimselius has a goal to write 100 books before she dies. Photo by Bertil Knoester.

Reviews often highlight how she fuses fiction with historical facts. Her books can be found under the youth section, but the enthralling writing attracts all ages. What’s the secret behind Kims’ passion of writing?

Kim M. Kimselius lives with her husband and three dogs, in a house in the countryside. At the time of writing, she has released 26 books, translated into six languages, including her debut Back to Pompeii from 1997. The majority are about Theo and Ramona, two youngsters who travel back in time to numerous exciting historical places and time periods.

But what’s driving her? Is it an urge to be seen, a need to teach and share information – or just the inner satisfaction of seeing her accomplishments lined up in a bookshelf?


Interviews That Matter: What does the “M” stand for?

Kim M. Kimselius: Mystique and magic is what I usually say. I build my lectures around the M, so I can’t tell.


ITM: Is being a writer living up to the expectations you may once have had?

KK: Yes, absolutely! My dream was to put my own stories within hard covers in order to put them in my bookshelf. Then I would proudly present them to others.

But I never dreamed of my books being published. With 11 000 copies sold within the first week of my debut, I have to say that being a writer exceeded my expectations by far.


ITM: What do you feel while writing?

KK: Enormous joy and creative desire.

I’m rich in life quality, since I get to do what I love. I’m rich in love since I get to be with the one I love.

ITM: Have you ever googled your own name?

KK: Loads of times! It’s a good way to find reviews of my books. The first time I did it, I was impressed that I got 4 000 hits. At the most, I’ve had 200 000. It varies all the time.


ITM: Is it related to if you just released a new book?

KK: I don’t really know. Maybe it’s when there’s a new book, or maybe it’s when I’ve been out speaking a lot.
 
ITM: Whenever I read about you, you’re praised by readers and authors alike. There’s never a bad word about you! Have you ever encountered any mean comments that hurt you?

KK: Thank you for the kind words, now you made me even happier! Unfortunately there’s always people who can’t grant other people success. I’ve had a few mean glitches, but they’re a very small part of all the positive comments, so I don’t care much about them.


ITM: I don’t want to ruin your good mood, but do you have any examples?

KK: No, no examples. The few negative comments are instantly buried. Jealous voices is all they are.


ITM: You’ve already mentioned your lectures twice. You do a lot of those. Can you live on your writing alone, or is lecturing a must?

KK: I can live on my writing, but the lectures do help in many ways. They give an increased income and spread the knowledge about me and my books.


ITM: So they’re a marketing tool? What are they about?

KK: I do different kinds depending on what whoever hires me wants. Historical ones, lectures about writing, about my books, about being an author, writing courses, and so on. Of course those who listen get curious about my books.


ITM: Which is your primary source of income?

KK: The books, definitely.


ITM: Are you rich?

KK: When people ask that question during lectures I always answer yes! I’m rich in life quality, since I get to do what I love. I’m rich in love since I get to be with the one I love. Money isn’t wealth. I manage, and that’s what matters to me.


ITM: When your books are translated, do you have any part in it or do you have to blindly trust the translators?

KK: Unfortunately I have to blindly trust them, since I don’t speak Slovenian, Finnish, Icelandic or Spanish. The English one I’ve been more involved in.


ITM: Have you ever read any of your own books from cover to cover, after they’ve already been published and just for enjoyment?

KK: I’ve read them from cover to cover, something I do every time it’s time to publish a new edition. But never for enjoyment, there’s no time for that. No wait, that’s not true! Boudica’s Battle with the Romans I had to read since it got such great reviews, and some said it was better than Twlight, which was the hottest book at the time.

ITM: So how does it feel as you stand there admiring your collection?

KK: Absolutely incredible! It warms my heart, my stomach, my soul. It makes me shiver of joy when I see my books, and at the same time I just want to write more to add to the bookshelf.

I forget to eat and shiver of anticipation to get the words down.

ITM: Which of all your books is your favorite?

KK: The flight from the terror of World War II is a book I like a lot because I managed to find so many strong women to include in it. As you know, my books are independent historical adventures based on real historical facts, and real people. I loved the portraits of women and how I managed to make them come to life in the book.

But my absolute favorite is The day everything changed. It’s a completely different type of book, something I wrote in my youth. It was laying in my drawer and after around 30 years it was finally published.

Kim enjoying the pool water in Mexico during a study trip for one of her books.

ITM: Your books about the time travelling duo, Theo and Ramona, range from ancient Egypt to the second world war. How do you come up with the next place and time period to write about?

KK: It just comes to me. I get curious about a place or historical event, and then I just start gathering material.


ITM: It might be impossible to answer, but in ten years, what new places do you believe your characters will have visited? You must at least have some idea…

KK: It’s not impossible to answer, but I don’t want to. There’s a plan, but I won’t give it up in advance. There’s always some other book that comes in between, some custom order.


ITM: What books are such orders?

KK: The forgotten war 1808-1809 is one, and A journey with Snapphanar another. The first was ordered by a cultural center in Finland, the other by four municipalities in Sweden.


ITM: I read that you get your inspiration from dreams. Examples?

KK: When I wake up in the morning I often have a finished story in my head. Then I have to write the first and last chapter down and write key parts for the rest. Then, the story has to lie dormant for a while until I find the time to finish the whole thing. Sometimes as I work on a book I dream and wake up with several chapters complete in my head.


ITM: Are you so into your writing that it takes you over completely?

KK: Absolutely! When I’m in it I forget to eat and shiver of anticipation to get the words down.


ITM: Do you ever dream of new stories while working on another one? Don’t they ever collide, and it all becomes too much to handle?

KK: Of course it happens. But it’s never a problem. As soon as I’ve written single chapters and key events, I put it aside and keep working on the book that has to be done.


ITM: Say I want to become a writer. What do I do?

KK: If it’s your dream, all you need to do is sit down and write the book inside you. Write from your heart. Write to yourself, without any thoughts of others reading what you write. Don’t mind spelling and grammar, just let the words flow. That’s when the story will turn out the best! Don’t give up, even if a publisher sends your manuscript back to you. Look it through and send it again. Good luck!


ITM: Are those the final words of wisdom you want to end this interview with?

KK: Yes. Write from your heart, write for yourself, and write with passion!
To learn more about Kim and her books, visit her website.