You want to write a book... But you’re not sure what you want to write.

Each time you face a blank word processor page, your mind goes blank too.

Some authors know exactly what they want to write. They tap the keyboard, and an hour later, they’ve created a complete outline for their book, or novel… or they’ve written at least one scene, and know exactly what will happen in scene two.

Other authors sneak up on their books. If you’re suffering from “empty mind” syndrome, chances are that you’re this kind of author.

Here are five easy and fun ways sneak up on your book.

1. Write Titles

You don’t have to write a book. You just have to write a title. The titles are just meant to jolt your imagination a little.

Brainstorm 20 to 50 titles; they can be as weird and wacky as you please.

2. Describe an Image

Working with images is a brilliant way to kickstart your imagination. I love browsing museum sites, to look at great paintings. They’re evocative.

You’ll find that as you’re describing an image, you’ll drop into a creative mind state, and before you know it, you’ve started writing your book.

3. Become a Collector

I’m an index card fanatic. I always carry a stack of index cards, and I note down ideas, quotes, and insights.

When I want to start a new book, and have no idea what I want to talk about, I grab a new stack of cards, and just write down sentences, descriptions, titles.

As the cards mount up, I enter them into a database (I use Bento). You can use a spreadsheet, if you don’t have a database application.

I usually create around 40 cards before I can see a definite pattern emerging, and know what I want to write.

From then on, I create a dozen or more cards a day.

When the time’s right, I create a synopsis or outline from the cards, and I’m ready to write.

4. Describe Your Greatest Fear (or Delight)

Emotions trigger creativity. (See Describe an Image, above.)

Write about what makes you happy, what upsets you… Before you know it, you’ll have an idea for a book, then you can start collecting cards, as we discussed above.

5. Use the News for Inspiration

Years ago, when I subscribed to a couple of daily papers, I’d clip anything which gave me an idea for an article, an essay, or a book. I had a filing cabinet crammed with clippings.

These days, I still clip, and still get inspired, but I use EagleFiler. (If you use Windows, OneNote is useful.)

You can use news stories to provide inspiration for many books.

Start clipping.

So there you have it; easy ways you can conquer the blank page, and sneak up on your book.

Do you have a favorite way you conquer the blank page? Please share in the Comments.

Will 2010 be the year you write your book and get it published?

It could be — it’s not too late to start.

Although writing a book can seem intimidating, you’ll complete your book if you take it step by step.

Start with an outline.

Your outline can just be a simple list.

Then, get a stack of index cards. Use one card per idea.

If you’re writing a novel, you could have one card for a character’s name, another card for his bio, and yet another card for a scene in your book.

If you’re writing nonfiction, write your research on index cards — one research note per card. Use cards for each idea or insight you want to include — choose yellow or blue cards for those with your own ideas. Then you can see at a glance whether a card contains research, or insights.

Once you have a stack of cards an inch high (you’ll soon have the stack if you carry your cards around with you), spread them out on a large surface, or pin them on a cork board.

You’ll soon become inspired. Then, just start writing. (Keep carrying your cards around with you, creating new cards daily.)

Index cards can seem like a low-tech solution, and they are, but they really help you to start writing, and complete your book.

I wish you all the success in the world.

Here’s some great advice to help you

* Write a book: advice from a master, Bernard Cornwell

British novelist Bernard Cornell gives you writing tips.

* Write a Book and Make It Profitable

Did you know you can plan to make your book profitable?

* Write a book: start with your life

If you’re reading this, you have more than enough information and experience to write a book — start with the events of your daily life.

Discover the secrets of highly-paid writers: free each week

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You want to write a book. Good for you! Writing a book is fun, and it can be a very profitable enterprise, which earns you royalty checks every six months for years to come.

However, before you start tapping your keyboard, you’re wondering WHAT you should write? Nonfiction or novels – that is, truth, or lies?

It’s completely up to you.

Generally speaking, nonfiction sells better, and is easier to write, because most people know a lot about something, or are interested enough in something that they can research it and write a book about it.

But if you want to write novels, you’re in good company.

In 2006, over 79,000 people took part in NaNoWriMo, the novel writing marathon, and sixteen NaNoWriMo novelists have had their NaNo-novels published, including Sarah Gruen, author of New York Times #1 Best Seller, Water for Elephants.

So to repeat: whether you write nonfiction or fiction is up to you – and you can write both, if that’s your choice, as it is for many writers.

Writing Freelance Star: Write a Book helps you to write both nonfiction and novels. Write your way to riches today.