Writing Tip: First steps for writing your own book

It can feel intimidating when you know you want to write a book, but have no ideas on how to go about it. Or how to go about it right. I'll tell you there is no perfect answer or perfect formula. Most writers write a little differently, which is why it's creative, its art, not science. 
     There is a lot of information out there about where you are supposed to begin. That can even feel confusing with so many different kinds of advice So take mine or leave mine. If it works for you wonderful if it isn't right then that is totally okay. 
    So, what do you do first? It is something any newbie has to wonder. For me getting started is very simple. 
Step 1 to writing a book: Write down what you know already
    Pull out a pen and paper and jot down everything you know. It can be organized and neat. It can be bullet-pointed. It can be a half-hazard mess. I can be scribbled in marker, pen or crayon. It can be a mind map. It can be on post it notes, 3 by 5 cards, in a notebook, on a word document or even on your notes app on your phone. But before you can build your book you have to have an idea of the pieces are already on the table. Sometimes as you write even more of you idea will form and you'll write more than you think.
     It doesn't matter if you are a plotter, a discovery writer, a nice combo of the two. Just seeing what you already have to work with will help you see what you still need. It will help you know what blanks you need to fill in and if you like to write outlines it will help you get a nice outline written up because most of the info should already be scribbled down in some way. 
     If you are a discovery writer, just seeing what you already know can fuel the creative fire you already have inside. One way or another I have found that writing down what I know as STEP #1 has helped me out a lot and gotten me ready for step 2. Which I won't lie is different for everyone, and sometimes different for every book.

Thanks for reading and happy writing!!