can anyone help me get started in writing a book?

Question

i am 33 years old, my grandparents and mother, came into uk after the uprising in 56. I have heard lots of stories from them and have for years wanted to write it all down. I have got the basis of a story i want to wirte but i have never done this before and i am not sure how to get started. Can anyone please help me to get off the starting blocks as i really think that my story will be a good one to read?? your help would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

That's a short question with a looong answer. First, you need to learn the craft of writing so that your narrative voice will be one that captures and compels the reader. You need a good grasp of spelling, vocabulary, and grammar.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/ might be a helpful resource to you. It is a writing community that features writing tips, an active forum, and helpful, informative articles on writing. This is the link to the articles on writing novels: http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/articles1.htm
One of them is titled, "Writing Family Stories."

I would also check out the message boards. They cover just about any topic a new writer might have. You can post questions and receive answers from experienced writers. From my experience, everyone is very helpful and friendly. Membership is free. Occasionally, they have guest authors, agents, and publishers who agree to answer member questions for a set period of time (usually a week). They also have a section titled, Bewares and Background Checks, which lists agents and publishers to avoid, as well as a password protected critique board where you can post a sample of your work for feedfack.

Here is the link to the forums: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/

Good luck with your book!

Answer 2

I have just finished a similar project. If you have the stories inside your head, pick a time each day and just start writing them.

For example: I make a pledge that I will write each day for 30 minutes between 6 and 6:30pm.

Before you begin it's a good idea to have an outline or a list of stories that you want to include. This will give you something to refer back to and help you organize later. You can check each story or each bit off as it is written.

I worked on my book of my grandmother's stories over a period of 2 years, and although it didn't turn out how I planned, it was well worth the time and effort. I can tell you, most solemnly and seriously, the best thing to do is just sit your bottom down and write away.

So JUST START WRITING!!! You can research as needed.

If you'd like to see my book (it's a heartfelt thing and I ended up deciding it was not for profit), you're welcome to email me at:
[e-mail]

GOOD LUCK and GO FOR IT!!!

Answer 3

You've got your inspiration already, and that's the most important thing. Just start writing. You can polish and re-organize, or even re-write what you've done once you've got it down on paper. Let it flow, and do the creative ground-work first, then go over it once your material is down on paper. Don't think of it as a book, get into the mindset of focusing on writing about your subject. See how it turns out, and if you're happy with it, you can show it to an English Lit teacher who will be able to help you polish it for the publishers, if that's what you want to do. But firstly, you need to be writing for YOU. Enjoy the process, and I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you can accomplish when you let your ideas flow!!

Good luck, and happy writing!

Answer 4

I'm a writer--well, I am a writer under my definition as a person who has a passion for writing, but under the definition that a writer is someone who has published a book before, then I haven't yet reached that .... summit.

Anyways, how to start writing?? I'll tell you how I write. I'm an angst writer, and when I have a stable idea, I put on a rather dismal classical music--or like, a sad romantic song of any sort. As I listen to it, the scenes to my story just arise into my mind as if I'm watching a movie. And so, I jsut sit down and watch (in my mind) different ways I could start my story. I wonder to myself how "I" would have liked my book to begin were it a movie (I love movies, that's why) and when I think of it, I start writing. And as I'm writing the beginning of the story, but think of something else for my story, I quickly jot it down elsewhere and continue on with the story. Yup yup/ hope this helps!!!

Answer 5

I do quite a lot of writing on my own. But I don't know anything about the uprising in 56. If I had a way to contact you I would love to try and help.

Answer 6

What I do is write out a vague plan and then fill in bits all over the place as the mood take me. When I have enougfh I then fill in the gaps to join it together and then edit it a few times and re-write weak sections.
I would consider going to a creative writting class as they usually give you a few good tips and ideas.
Good luck.

Answer 7

plz give an outline of ur story so that others can know vat they're writing about

Answer 8

IN 1956, THE REST IS HISTORY,

Answer 9

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