How do go about starting to write a book? are there any certian things I should know???

Answer 1

The best way to start is to sit down with your idea and make notes about what you want to accomplish. I'm sure you've heard that it's best to write about something you already know - at least when you're just starting out, as it allows you to be more convincing to your readers.

Next, make an outline. Keep it simple at first - a guide to keep you on track. Where does the story start, what will you put in the middle to keep the story rolling, and how do you want it to end?

Once you begin writing, and ideas come to you, keep that outline updated - it really helps you stay organized and prevents you from wandering off in directions you never intended to go.

For your first effort, don't be thinking about publishers or editors or even bother with grammar and spelling that doesn't come naturally to you. That can all be taken care of later - the primary thing you need to concentrate on is the story itself - getting the points across that you wish to make, and getting the details down on paper. The best spelling and grammar in the world are wasted if there is no purpose or point to the story. Taking care of that sort of stuff is something that can be concentrated on in the clean up at the end.

Don't agonize over it - sit down and WRITE. The free-flow of the story will carry you a long way, and many times you'll look back over what you've written and be amazed - you'll wonder where some of it came from, as though it took on a life of its own.

Detail is something that trips some writers up in a bad way. They either give too much and lose their readers in boredom, or they don't give enough and lose their readers in confusion.

Description is important in creating the mental picture you want your readers to have, but knowing when you've maybe gone too far is important, also. Readers will start skipping over areas of what you've written to get to the stuff that moves the story forward again. Pay attention in your own reading habits, and notice where you do these things, and analyze why it happens. This will help you.

When it does come down to clean up and possible publication, the worst trap you can fall into is believing that suggested editing or changes would harm the integrity of your story. Its natural to become so involved in your creation that advice from other people that is intended to help often comes off looking like criticism of your "baby." Find someone whose opinion you trust to guide you.

Hope this helps - just remember that the story is the most important thing - if that isn't well thought out, no other skills you might possess will be of any help at all.

Answer 2

You can submit a proposal to publishers once you know what you are going to write about and some details. This will help you see if they will buy it. They might want you to write a sample chapter too.

You could also do what is probably more common and write the book, then try to get it published. If nobody will publish it, you can publish it yourself. For this, GAP publishers is good because they allow you to have them as the publisher but you pay for everything and have as many copies as you want to distribute printed. You're in charge of the marketing too.

Answer 3

As a writer, the best advice I can give you is to write. Spend some time each day writing. Starting a journal is a good way to get started.

As for writing a book, what kind of book? Fiction? Non-fiction? Poetry? What's your subject matter? What genre, if any?

No matter what project you undertake, from a short piece to a book sized piece, you need to know your subject matter, you need to know your genre, and you need to know English grammer and spelling.

You also need to have some idea what you want to say. In the case of a non-fiction work, think about what you want the book to accomplish. In the case of a fiction work, you need to have some idea about your story -- beginning, middle, and end. You also need to have some idea about your characters -- who they are, what are their likes and dislikes, what is the central conflict in the lives.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Research first and foremost, not only the subject or outline of the book you intend to write, but also the methods available to you when it's time for publishing. How to format your manuscript for submission so that it doesn't go into the slush pile (dismissed), particularly, proof read, check spelling and grammar both through visual and spell check means. Spell checkers do not catch everything so you must be strong in the language you are writing in, or use tools that assist you in doing so. Learn how to best present your manuscript and yourself to an editor that could take your book all the way to publication and distribution.

Be prepared to write every single day, whether you want to or not. Some days you will have little to show for your time while others, you will spew out a storm. Don't bother to assess the writing the same day you write it. You will be going through your rough draft once a chapter is completed. Going chapter by chapter keeps the task of reading, correcting, removing and inserting things that will make the book and the story stronger, the characters more believable, a lot easier to cope with. Take 1-2 hours out of every day for this. If you have a lot to write, do so...regardless of how long that takes. Use the writing streaks to your benefit.

Decide the audience you wish to capture -- not all people love all books, the story line you want to follow, characters, plot, setting, etc. Write in the genre that you are most interested in, this will keep your ideas and interest flowing.

Below are links to some sites, certainly not all, that offer tips on beginning a book and seeing it to publication.

http://www.newnovelist.com/ Writing software for those just starting out or who like to have everything laid out for them to fill in the content. Suppose to be one of the better programs to use.

http://www.fonerbooks.com/2006/01/how-to-write-book-that-sells.html If interested in self publishing this site offers information on how to go about it. From beginning to submission.

Some tips from a 23 yr veteran in the writing industry: http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/oct03/vaughn5.htm

The .pdf format of tips from author Joan Collins, : http://www.writing-etc.com/free-ebooks/KnowTheseFiveAudiences.pdf.

Para-Publishing, tips on writing a book that sells : http://www.parapublishing.com/sites/para/information/writing.cfm

If you are looking for faster publication or control of profits from any book you write, considering something like ebook publication might be of interest:

On Writing Ebooks http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/how-to-write-an-ebook.html

On ebook writing/publishing as well as writing and publishing the standard way: http://www.selfpublishebooks.com/

Info on ebook writing from Ebook Architect, a program that supposedly assists with the creation of ebooks: http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/ebook/index.php (I've not used this program so cannot comment on it, but all programs related to helping you write should be looked at, there may very well be one out of the many that actually assists you and works the way you work.

Good luck with your venture

Answer 5

you don't have to have any brilliant idea. think of what YOU wouldn't like to read about. don't start with writing a big thing. firstly write something short, notice where u can find a problem with expressing what u want to say, etc. good luck because it's a pretty hard work!

Answer 6

brainstorm for good ideas. when you come up with some, pick the one you think you could write the best from. then start writing. your mind will crank out ideas like crazy. then once you finish it you can revise it and change parts, add parts, and take parts out.

Answer 7

vin diesel wrote a play after reading a book u should read it

Answer 8

How to spell and use capital letters

Answer 9

You should know a story to tell.

Answer 10

learn how to proof read