There is no right way to write a book. There are however, in my opinion, specific milestones you should reach for your book to be ready for publishing. Everyone has a different method, but the core part of the procedure is the same for everyone:
write > edit > critique > repeat.
Here are my 15 steps to writing a book
1. First draft
2. Revisions
3. Second drat
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you can no longer read the story without going cross-eyed and you do not know how to improve the book further
5. Have a Beta Reader read and evaluate the book
6. Apply feedback and edit
7. Revise Draft
8. Repeat Step 7 until you can no longer read the story without going cross-eyed and you do not know how to improve the book further
8.5 Recommended you get more Beta Readers and repeat steps 5 through 8 until you you satisfied with the story.
9. Have a Critique Partner evaluate
9.5. Take care of your emotional and mental well being
10. Apply edits
11. Revise Draft
12. Have Beta Readers read and evaluate the book
13. Apply feedback.
14. Revise draft (are you sensing a trend yet?)
15. Continue steps 5 through 15 until all you are changing is punctuation and you are happy with your story enough to consider it to be done
(Note; the book will never feel completely done, however this is the strongest you have gotten it on your own and that is the most important part)
Now you can enter into phase 2, which is publishing the book. This method will vary depending on whether you indie publish or seek traditional publishing. Stay tuned for future blog post about this process.