Write your ideas down. You can write pages of ideas, characters and concepts, or you can develop a simple outline for your book. What matters most is that you get your ideas out of your head and onto the page. You can look back over your ideas as you write your book, using them as references or notes to keep you on track. Putting your ideas in writing helps you formulate a plan or path for your book.
Choose a point of view. The "voice" of your book will determine the direction and tone of your story. For novels, you can choose first person or third person. In first-person novels, the main character tells the story. For a third-person point of view, the story is seen through the eyes of one or more characters. You should also choose a point of view if your book is not a novel. Instructional books, for example, may use the second person, or "you," point of view. Decide which point of view best fits the book you want to write.
Select a starting point for your book. Your story may begin long before your first sentence. It is up to you to decide where your book should start. It might be helpful for you to write from the very beginning of your story, even if that won't really be the start of your book. For example, if you write three chapters or scenes, you may choose the third as the actual beginning of your book. The first two scenes become back story that can be mentioned throughout the book or not at all.
Include a hook in the first page or two of your book. Regardless of the genre your book fits into, you need a way to catch readers' attention and keep them interested. To writers, this is known as a "hook." You can think of it like a fisherman catching a fish. A hook can be an action scene, an emotional moment, an interesting revelation about the main character or any other device that gets your readers interesting in your book and keeps them reading.
Create a writing schedule. You should devote some time to working on your book every day. Find the time that works best for you. You may wait until your children are in bed for the evening, or you might feel most creative in the morning. Your schedule might have to include a daily trip to a coffee shop if that is where you feel most inspired. Your writing schedule should fit your needs, but be consistent and write every day.