This is easier said than done, of course, but it's essential to writing a good book. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, you need a concept that will hold your fascination throughout the long process of writing and editing, and that will also captivate your readers. Start with the "big picture" first, and worry about filling in the finer details later on. Brainstorm themes, scenarios, or ideas that intrigue you. Write them down, think about them for a while, and figure out which one you're most passionate about. For instance: "What if a man journeyed to a land where the people were tiny and he was a giant, and then to another land where the people were giants and he was tiny?" your big idea to build your expertise. If you're writing a nonfiction book, you'll obviously need to deeply research your subject matter in order to write about it effectively. Even fictional works, though, should be grounded in some degree of reality. For instance, a sci-fi adventure set in space will be more effective if the technology draws at least a small degree from reality. Or, if you're writing a crime drama, you might do research into how the police typically investigate crimes of the type you're depicting. If your focus each day is to write about the American Civil War or the goings-on in a fantastical "Middle Earth," you may become paralyzed by the immensity of the task. Instead, divide up your larger concept into smaller components that feel more manageable to tackle. For instance, instead of waking up thinking "I need to write about the Civil War," you might tell yourself, "I'm going to write about General Grant's military strategy today." These "manageable pieces" may end up being your book's chapters, but not necessarily so. This is another one of the "easier said than done" parts of writing a great book. Aim to build one or more characters who are complex and rounded, not one-note "heroes" or "villains." You want your readers to be able to identify with them and care about what happens to them. Think about some of your favorite characters from books you love. Write down some of their character traits and use these to help build your own unique characters. If you're writing nonfiction, dig deep into the complexities and all-too-human qualities of the real figures you're writing about. Bring them to life for your readers. Introduce challenges and obstacles early on in your book, and lead your characters through struggles, triumphs, and failures. The conflict and tension can be both external (like a cunning adversary) and internal (your main character's inner demons due to past tragedy). Make it hard for your readers to put the book down! The main conflictfor instance, Captain Ahab's obsession with the white whale in Moby Dickcan be an entry point for a range of other external and internal conflicts. Don't downplay conflicts and tension in nonfiction worksthey help to ground your writing in reality. This is helpful to keep in mind while writing your first draft, but essential while you're editing your book. Make sure every chapter, every page, every sentence, and even every word serves a purpose in moving your story forward. If not, look for ways to revise or streamline your writing. Your goal is to never give your readers a reason to lose interest. Keep them engaged and turning those pages! This doesn't mean you can't use long sentences, descriptive writing, or even asides that deviate from the main storyline. Just make sure that these components serve the larger narrative.

Summary: Start with a big, captivating idea. Research Break your big idea into manageable pieces. Develop at least one unforgettable character. Emphasize conflict and tension in your narrative. Make sure everything you include advances the story.

Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start window will pop up. You can also just right-click Start (or press Win+X) and click System in the resulting pop-up menu. If you do this, skip the next two steps. Click the gear-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the Start window. This will open the Settings window. It's a computer monitor-shaped icon in the Settings window. This tab is at the bottom of the left-hand column of options. Doing so brings up a list of your computer's attributes. It's near the bottom of the "Device specifications" section toward the bottom of the window. You'll see either "64-bit" or "32-bit" to the right of "System type"; this is your computer's bit count.

Summary: Open Start . Open Settings . Click System. Click About. Look for the "System type" heading.

If you wish to send someone a condolence letter be sure to do it in a timely manner. You should write the bereaved a letter within two weeks of their loss. This is the time that they are most focused on grieving. They will be dealing with funeral arrangements and preparing for their final goodbyes. If you miss this timeframe or find out about the death months after it has occurred, go ahead and write the letter. There is no need to explain why your card is arriving late. Writing a general condolence letter will not be very comforting to the griever. Be aware that you are writing about the griever's loved one. Be prepared to feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Refer to the deceased by name. For example, you may say something like "I am very sorry to hear about Janie's passing." Each death is different and each person deals with grief in a different way. Avoid telling a griever how to grieve or what to do next. Unless you know and feel comfortable with their religion affiliations, avoid using religious opinions within the letter. Avoid saying things like "everything happens for a reason" or "they are in a better place." Avoid saying things like "I know how you feel." Everyone's pain is different and this will not be comforting to the griever.

Summary: Don't wait too long. Make the letter personal. Be sensitive to their situation.

The easiest way you can act like you have a boyfriend online is by making posts about your relationship together. Publically compliment your boyfriend via your social media account, and keep your online social circle up to date about romantic nights you're not actually having. Don't go overboard with these posts, as they often tend to be annoying to other people, especially to those who are having trouble finding a relationship of their own. Whatever your reason for faking a relationship, do your best to make yourself feel the way you would if you were really with someone. Visualize the thoughts and feelings that normally distinguish being single from being in a relationship, and try to emulate the latter as best as you can. For example, being in a relationship may lead to you making cheerier posts online, rather than unhappy ones. Although people may be suspicious of a faked profile, a fake boyfriend will seem that much more real if you stage pictures in the real world. A picture as basic as two coffee cups on a table with an appropriate caption will make it seem like you're out doing things with someone special. Even if you won't have an actual boyfriend to photograph, the implication is often enough. A caption is a vital part of creating the illusion. Make it affectionate and romantic. For instance, if you have two coffee cups set up, you can say something like "Drinking my favourite coffee with my favourite guy." There are virtual relationship services that will give you the experience of having a fake relationship for a monthly fee. Upon paying, you'll normally get custom-made voicemails, cutesy texts, and a believable backstory on how the two of you met in the first place. If you need a quick way to act like you have a boyfriend, delegating some of the creativity to professionals may be the very help you need.
Summary: Make statuses about your relationship. Act cheerful and upbeat online. Stage pictures that imply a relationship. Try a virtual boyfriend service.