What's the best way to start a book?

Question

I have some great ideas for characters and a vague idea of a plot but how do I create the real story I need.
Shall I just start with a vague idea and see how it builds, or should I think of a basic begining/ middle /end then just write away?
Do I need to create each character before I start or build their characters as I go along?

Answer 1

"It was a dark and stormy night........."

Answer 2

Until you have a clear idea of where you want your characters to start and where you want them to end up (if not the middle), I'd work on development stuff rather than the story. The first step is to be sure you know your characters and how they fit into the plot. Then either make sure you know how the story is supposed to go in your head or write out an outline for it. I hate making outlines but for something with as large a scope as a book, they really help. You don't need to create each character ahead of time, but being able to describe a few in a sentence or short paragraph might help. The most important thing is knowing the main characters, others can be added in later if you need to. Good luck!

Answer 3

You don't mention what genre the book is, nor whether it is for children or for adults, but, generally speaking:
it would be a good idea to work out the personality traits of at least three of your major characters before proceeding. You really need them to be as real to you as possible. There will be many details you won't actually use, but because you have those details, it will determine how your characters move and think and act, the way they speak etc.
You can work on this during those times you get stuck with the story, as you already have your ideas for some characters. When you have added definitive traits to them, you can always go back and insert something.
Starting with a vague idea would be like doing sketches for a painting. You can proceed this way, if it is your M.O., but you will have to make sure of the logic. Also, at some point there will have to be a clear beginning, middle and ending. Vague ideas tend to get very rambly and can steer you away from the tightness you need. You might not even get to an ending!
And if it is a book for children, you will have to follow all those nasty rules for word count, according to your target group. Having a tight plot all nicely mapped out really helps with this.
If you map out a general beginning, setting the scene as it were, and the possible ending, you can travel easier. Of course, many writers work backwards, especially crime and mystery writers. They have to know the ending before starting!
So a rough guide of where you want to end up, plus from where it began is important. But don't let it sap you of your passion for writing. Everyone who says just write, write, write is right. You can edit it later.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I start writing about a character and build them a personality. Then, using that personality I introduce them to other characters. It's amazing that sometimes, the personalities actually take on the role of author. Imagine having a really strong and confident character confronted by a problem, would that person walk away, do something or sit down and think about it? Very soon you realise that the personalities you have created begin acting as they would in real life. It's good fun and an easy way of developing a story idea.

Good luck.

Answer 5

If you think you have the characters but not the story, then you don't really have the story. The characters are defined not just by what they look like, how they talk etc. but mostly by what they do in the story. Work out what your story is first; what are they doing? Why are they doing it? What do they want? Where are they going? What's stopping them from getting what they want?

There's a lot of guff out there about story arcs and so on, but it's really a sort of precise common sense. If your characters don't have needs and desires of any kind then they won't do anything, and the only way you can have a story is have things happen to them. Which is a tricky story to tell. If they do have needs and desires, there have to be good reasons why they can't satisfy them straight away. Think of it like that and see if it helps.

Answer 6

You can build each character up as you go along, but it is best to start with a plan of how your plot will unfold, instead of just writing away and seeing where it gets you. Thats what we were taught at school, how a story should always have a beginning, a middle and an end. Also, you can buy software from places such as www.amazon.co.uk for authors to write their books using, as it has layouts and templates like a book has. Have fun!

Answer 7

It all depends on what your are writing the book for.
If you are aiming at a commercial market it would be useful to see what kind of structure and genre would be popular.
A well structured book can appeal to a wide range of readers.
If on the otherhand you want to write a very original work I would suggest you write something every day and maybe once a month see what you have.
If your characters are significant readers like to be able to identify with them. It can be useful to profile your characters and use introduction devices early on to give a feel for the character.
Many writers re-write books several times. Sometimes whole characters merge with others and stories change dramatically.
Good luck !

Answer 8

All authors work in various ways, trying finding a local writing group, or maybe start up a group. some libraries will offer low rates for room hire for such groups, and bouncing ideas of of other people and doing writing excercises can help.

The opening line is all important, it has to grap the readers interest, it's a bit like that first impressions theory!

Windmore house built in Kent about 20 years ago.... BORING

It was a house that brooded over the surrounding area, and chilled visitor's blood to the bone as they approached.....a bit more interesting!

Can you get a better first line? Its exercises like this that get you to look at how you approach writing.

Or chose three objects around you and write a paragraph linking them all.

Writing every day, not matter what is also important

Good luck with your book, I'm still working on mine.

Answer 9

Don't go along the roads that you have been offered, they are the kiss of death for a new author. You have been quoted every major writer for donkeys years. Forget them, this is your book, write down whats in your head. You will make mistakes, lots of them, so you rewrite, whats wrong ? Dickens did shakspeare did , every body has to. Be yourself, dont take any advice from anyone, if your good enough you,ll make it. and if you aint you wont and if you think that youve done it then make some copies and take them BY HAND to the publishers. Dont send them through the post as they just get shelved. By the way, as you can probaly tell by my english and grammer I AM NOT A WRITER but i am a salesman. The Doctor

Answer 10

Have your characters firmly in mind before you begin and build on them as you write.

Every book has a beginning, middle and end and what you will want to do is be inclusive and then slowly deductive in your story telling. Try to imagine where you want this story to go and how you plan to get there. Once you've done that it should be easy and good luck to you.

If you would like it editted before you send it off I might be free to help out.

Answer 11

Start with an outline of the story, how it begins, what you want to say in the story, the climax. Then start working on it, doesn't matter which part you work on first just so the outline is followed. Personally I like to develop the characters first it gives me a better idea how they would handle the situations I put them into.