WRITING TIPS TO BEGIN YOUR BOOK JOURNEY

Every author’s journey begins the same way: with a blank page and a glimmer of an idea. For aspiring nonfiction writers—and anyone who feels the tug of a story inside them—the hardest part is often starting. Whether you are a pop culture aficionado, would-be biographer, or someone drawn to capturing history, there is no perfect moment to begin your book.

You just start.

My own writing journey began in a high school newsroom, writing columns and dreaming of the bylines I might someday see in glossy magazines. I came of age in a college town (Slippery Rock, PA, home of Slippery Rock University) where professors and ideas swirled around me. Writing felt aspirational. A cherished teacher—Martha Campbell—rewarded my hard work with a sports column featuring my work: “Batchelor’s Bench.” I loved writing that column and holding our small high school newspaper in my hands.

As a college student, I sent essays to publications that were way out of my league. The rejections piled up, but the process enabled me to slowly build confidence with each reply—published or not. Every so often, there would be a kind note or something that looked like more than a stamped “rejection.” Those were glorious days!

About a decade later, by the time I wrote The 1900s (Greenwood, 2002), I approached it from a researcher’s mindset. I had yet to fully develop my narrative voice, let alone the courage to let it rise on the page. The 1900s, though, served as a foundation: meticulous research, structural discipline, and an unwavering commitment to learning during the writing process.

If you’re just beginning your book journey, here are five essential tips drawn from my own experience:

1. Establish a Writing Rhythm That Works for You

Life is demanding. Your writing process should complement—not fight—your daily responsibilities. Consistency, not volume, builds momentum. Even 20 minutes a day adds up.

2. Start with a Strong Outline

Before I write a word, I create a detailed Table of Contents. For nonfiction, this map is critical. Think deeply about how you plan to open each chapter—those first lines carry a lot of weight.

3. Don’t Believe in Writer’s Block

Writing is work. Work requires discipline. When I feel creative fatigue, I don’t panic. Instead, I switch gears. Reading for pleasure, often on my Kindle, lets me absorb ideas passively and recharges my creative energy.

4. Let Your Curiosity Drive the Research

Even after I have started writing, I keep researching. Every new detail might unlock a better sentence, a sharper insight, or a deeper connection. Curiosity is your most sustainable writing fuel.

5. Experiment with Storytelling Techniques

In The Bourbon King, I explored a postmodern style in one chapter to capture the extravagance of George Remus’ legendary New Year’s Eve party. Creative nonfiction allows room for innovation…even in history-heavy narratives.

The Bourbon King by cultural historian Bob Batchelor

Most importantly, allow yourself time to grow. The voice you find in your first book might surprise you. It should.

To support your own writing journey, keep reading widely and learning from others. Books like The Bourbon King or Stan Lee: A Life can be models—narrative-driven nonfiction that brings culture, history, and people to vivid life. You can find these and other inspiring reads on Amazon and even save a bit with these offers.

Stan Lee: A Life by Bob Batchelor

So what are you waiting for? Open that document. Name your project.

Take the first step. Your book is waiting.




I use Amazon affiliate links on this site—mainly links to books or other cool things. And if you buy via my links, it supports the site with no extra cost to you. This is a contributed post and may contain affiliate links. I was compensated for this post, but reviewed it and regard the article as a natural fit for my readers.

THE GATSBY CODE: A CENTURY OF DREAMS AND DISILLUSION -- PRE-ORDER EBOOK

In The Gatsby Code, cultural historian Bob Batchelor—award-winning author of acclaimed biographies and expert on American mythmaking—offers a masterful deep dive into one of literature’s most enduring icons: Jay Gatsby. As The Great Gatsby turns 100, Batchelor delivers a revelatory chronicle of the novel’s past, present, and future impact, weaving cultural history, literary analysis, and philosophical inquiry into a riveting exploration of why Gatsby still matters.

Read more

THE AUTHENTIC LEADER: FAQs

The Authentic Leader: The Power of Deep Leadership in Work and Life by award-winning cultural historian and biographer Bob Batchelor explores the concept of deep leadership, which emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and empathy in the workplace and beyond. Batchelor argues that traditional leadership models, often characterized by command-and-control styles, are no longer effective in today's rapidly changing work environments.

Read more

BOB BATCHELOR LAUNCHES NEW PUBLISHING VENTURE: TUDOR CITY BOOKS

International bestselling author Bob Batchelor, renowned for his expertise in cultural history and biography, has launched Tudor City Books, a new publishing company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Specializing in a range of subjects, including crime fiction, entertainment and pop culture history, memoir, and biography, Tudor City Books aims to bring exceptional works to a broader audience.

Read more

JIM MORRISON, 1943-1971

Rock legend Jim Morrison Died in Paris, July 3, 1971

Most of the world would not find out about Morrison’s mysterious death until July 9.

In April 1971, Elektra released L.A. Woman. The album reached number nine on the Billboard album chart and then remained in the top 200 for 36 weeks. Later, in June, “Riders on the Storm” came out as a single and eventually hit number 14.

Before he left for France, Jim gave an impromptu interview to Ben Fong-Torres, an editor at Rolling Stone. The singer explained that the Doors were “at a crossroads of our career,” particularly since young audiences wanted new music by new bands, not an “anachronism” like their group. He spoke of making movies and other interests. By most accounts, Morrison’s future plans didn’t seem to include the Doors.

Jim arrived in Paris on June 12, 1971. He went to Pam’s room at the Hotel George V, which he likened to a whorehouse. She wasn’t there. Before long he was across the street, reportedly drinking whiskey—one after another.

One morning John Densmore answered the phone. It was Jim calling from France. He wanted to find out how L.A. Woman was doing. Densmore told him how the first single had become a hit and that the album was getting a lot of airplay. Jim replied, “I’ll be back and we’ll do some more.”

Three weeks later he would be dead.

DECODING AI FOR CEOS -- FROM UNCERTAINTY TO STRATEGIC INNOVATION

CEOs are under constant pressure as they navigate complex decisions across an interconnected, global landscape. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a solution brimming with potential, yet shrouded in uncertainty — even with all the hype and information written about the new technology.

Read more

THE HUMAN EDGE: WHY EMPATHY IS THE NEW LEADERSHIP CURRENCY

The Deep Leadership Revolution argues that empathy and emotional intelligence are the missing pieces. This notion goes beyond surface-level tactics, offering a practical guide to cultivating deeper connections with your team. You'll discover how to navigate complex challenges with both reason and heart, fostering a more motivated, resilient, and high-performing workforce. The Deep Leadership Revolution is your roadmap to thriving in the ever-evolving business landscape. Are you ready to lead with depth?

Read more

ROADHOUSE BLUES: MORRISON AND THE DOORS LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!

Reviews of ROADHOUSE BLUES

 Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties won the 2023 IPA Book Award in Music and has been lauded by critics, readers, and Doors aficionados across the globe.

2023 Independent Press Award for Roadhouse Blues

REVIEWS

“Fascinating, informative, extraordinary, and essential reading for the legions of Jim Morrison fans.” – Midwest Book Review

“Bob Batchelor writes with great eloquence and insight about the Doors, the greatest hard-rock band we have ever had, and through this book, we plunge deeply into the mystery that surrounds Jim Morrison. It is Batchelor’s warmth and compassion that ignites Roadhouse Blues and helps explain Morrison’s own miraculous dark fire.” – Jerome Charyn, PEN/Faulkner Award finalist

Splash page for Roadhouse Blues, designed by the eminent Brad Norr

“The most important book for Doors fandom since No One Here Gets Out Alive—and incomparably better! Grouped with Ray, Robby, and John’s books, this is the fourth gospel for fans of The Doors.” – Bradley Netherton, The Doors World Series of Trivia Champion and host of the “Opening The Doors” podcast

“Batchelor writes well and his narrative flows smoothly. His work is an insightful look at the Doors as creative artists and a compelling portrait of Morrison.” – Thomas Hauser, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominee

“Smart, engaging…Batchelor has a technique and perspective that runs through his work: paint a vivid description of what happened, but then, more than a mere journalist or biographer, delve into how it happened and then why it happened. The what is documentarian; the how, and especially the why, require the kind of analysis with imagination that Roadhouse Blues provides.” – Jesse Kavadlo, PopMatters

Roadhouse Blues, published by Hamilcar Publications