im thinking of writing a book to be published but dont know where to start any tips?

Question

im a beginner and dont know where to start any tips

Answer 1

There's a great article by Mike Shea posted here: http://denisekincy.wordpress.com/2006/04/

His suggestions, such as, "Read four hours a day, write four hours a day," are pretty helpful.

My only other tip is to keep involved in a supportive, mature writer's group, and have a great editor as your ally. I use WordTechs (http://wordtechs.com/).

Regards,
~Tia~
Yahoo Brainiac
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html

Answer 2

I'm 15 and I've written a few things, but as of yet I haven't got anything published.
Firstly, you need to have an idea that's really original. It's a good idea to know every single detail of what is going to happen, especially the ending because stories that end 'and then he woke up and it was all a dream' really do suck. Write down everything. Keep a notebook on you day and night to write down any random ideas that come into your head, even if you might not use them. Write a summary, not necessarily detailed, but so you know what is going to happen step by step. Plan your characters and don't put in any more than is neccessary - don't even bother trying to name really minor characters until you have to.
Then when you are practically living your idea, write it. Oh, and I have learned from experience that if your are typing it, keep back-ups. I didn't and when my computer broke I lost 80 pages of work which I have never been able to re-write.
I hope that helps.

Answer 3

Er, those "Idiot's Guide to...." books.

Is there one for writing ?

But if you need advice on writing a book, then cor mate, you are i trouble, if you have writer's block even before writing your outline of what the book is about...

But start with short stories, about what you know is always the best and be prepared for frustration (about writing) cos thinking of ideas and then putting them down aint as easy as it sounds (wait a minute, it just was)

Cheap tip, read the Yahoo answers not just for your question but for any question and see if they're funny, sad, thoughful, and if any attempt at imagination has been used, etc.

Good luck

Answer 4

first and foremost, what kind of book do you want to write? a children's book, teen or adult novel? what? then ask yourself is it going to be romantic, funny, terrifying, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, etc. then ask yourself, what do you feel passionate about? what makes you tick? what has happened in your life that has changed it? what type of experiences have you had? what do you have an opinion about, get an idea in your head. just a simple idea. then ask yourself, can i write a whole book on this idea that can really make it? if yes then create a plot for this idea to follow. what happens to the main character? is he betrayed? make it interesting. keep me guessing.take a major event in history and write it from a child's, adult's, teenager's, or an old person's point of view. you could write from a poor person's perspective or a rich one's perspective. pick a time era like now, the 50's 60's 70's etc and what the problems or progresses were from a person's point of view and how it affected them. you could go renaissance or middle ages or ancient civilization. and how life was different from now and how people struggled in different ways. after all of that, if all else fails pick a famous person from history that you feel strongly about and that preferably hasn't been written a lot about write a show-stopping biography! if your still having trouble, then i don't know what to do.

Answer 5

Fiction or non-fiction? Nonfiction takes loads of research, usually at the writer's expense. For fiction, it may require some outside research to keep it believable, but, mostly, you just sit down and write whatever comes to you. And don't be afraid to revise if you don't like the way something is written. Remember that it's your work and you can change whatever you want.

Answer 6

Start like I did: Read your favorite books, study their styles and voice, and start writing on your own.

The process takes years to get good, so don't stress out if you fail more than once. Failing is just a part of the learning process.

And as a modified Homer Simpson cliche says: "Learning is failing. So is trying. Trying is just learning how to fail with misdirection."

Answer 7

Do you think you are up to writing a book if you can't even ask the question properley?? What a thing to ask. It's like saying, "I'm thinking of cooking a meal, anyone have any tips?".

Answer 8

Authorhouse, a print-on-demand publisher in Bloomington, Indiana, has offered me a lot of help at every step of publication. I've written two books through them already, and I know they'll help you every step of the way! Good luck!

David Alvin

Answer 9

Try and enrole on a writing course at your local college or join a writing group.

You will learn how to write, and rewrite. It's always helpful to get someone to read your work and give you pointers as an editor would.

Answer 10

You don't have to start at the beginning. If you have an idea write it. And If you have a creative imagination the rest will follow. It all takes practise.