I Want To Write A Book?

Question

Any tips? How long could it take me?
I have had an interesting life so far, It would probably be more of a girlie read!

Answer 1

Saudi Jeff and the Gadfly have the best ideas so far. You need to plan your book out like a journey. List the important turning points in your life. make notes about how sections of the book will go as you see them.

I agree that creative writing classes can be a bore, but Writers Circles aren't! I belong to one local to me in South East Essex called the Havering Writer's circle and one a bit north of me, The Brentwood Writers circle has quite a few eminent writers within its ranks. Ask at your local library. They are bound to have some information.

You can also e-mail me if you like. I've just had a bad experience offering my services to someone else, but I'm willing to try again. I would love to try and help you with it or at least have the opportunity to point you in the right direction?

Answer 2

Hello future writer,

It is great that you wish to write a novel. For starts, create an outline. Many people I have told this refuse, then come back to me sayin ghow they wish they started sooner with an outline. From mine and others experience I can tell you you are NOT wasting your time. It will give you a set path to take, creating a more organized place for your ideas, and help you finish faster. Begin with either a notepad or a computer program where you jot down notes whenever they come to you. Never delete anything you write a day after it is written. Later you might have some use for it. Ideas may not be sparce, but they do seem to come when you aren't looking for them...

Make sure you have a plot. This is indeed the rough summerization of your book. There needs to be characters, setting, climax, resolution (falling point where loose ends are tied up), and a twist. No one wants to read a flat book that's predictable. You must know everything about your characters ( try composing a list of questions and then answer them for every major character ).

Do not join a writer's group. Many people seem to recommend this but think. If you end up sharing your ideas with everyone, what if someone decides that you DO have a bestseller? They might think to take your idea and publish it on their own giving you no credit... there is nothing wrong with wanting to be safe and working on your own, or at least asking of people very close to you. (family, good friends, etc.) Do not post your story on the internet. Anyone can read it. So just don't.

Writing a book can take you anywhere from a few months to a decade. It all matters on the material of the book, because if you've worked for something, you want to get something out of it. Not to mention enjoy the path while taking. Do you LIKE writing? If so, wonderful! Do so continue...

Don't worry about going back to fix things. You can always edit later. The most important thing if to get the skeleton of your novel completed. If you just can't seem to stop however, you might have a case of Writer's Block. This is NORMAL. On the webbie I gave you there are articles on how to deal with this. Also check out a few books at your library.

Onto publishing. I will go into this very breifly. Don't chose any old publisher or agent. (for info on the agents, again, visit the webbie and look in the INDEX on the right hand side. P.S. its red...) Anyone can claim to be these for you don't need a liscense.

Keep your ideas safe and never stop. You might find one story leading on until you find one that is just good enough to finish. DON'T GIVE UP! and it will be worth it. Happy Writing!!!

Answer 3

I would say to write and edit, re-write and edit. Have someone you trust to read behind you, and they may offer suggestions as to what's believable, grammar, and mechanics. If your life has been interesting then you must have something to share with consumers. Come up with a marketing plan if you plan to self-publish, or a team to help push your book. You hold the answer as to how long it will take you. Don't rush to put a book on the market, once it's in print it's final. I would also say joining a writer's group would be great, and you could get feedback. Classes could never hurt, since writing is actually an art. Some have the gift, some don't. You sound confident already and I trust you have the gift so take time to polish it. You could also check out www.heliumknowledge.com I have joined this group and it has a lot of helpful advice, and you can get a sense of how your writing rates.

Answer 4

Write, write, write. If you need some prewriting, I usually only do a timelin/plotline, and some character bios, but it depends on the writer. How long it takes also depends on the writer. I usually like to write about 1,000 words a say when I am seriously working on the book, but depending on how busy you are, you might want to do more or less, or not worry about word count at all and go by page or chapter. How long it takes will also depend on how long you want the book to be. If it's only going to be about twenty pages, you might be able to get it done in a week or two, but if you want to write a 400 plus page book, it could take you upwards of a year. But really, the hardest part is getting started. Once you actually get started, it will get easier and easier to write. Good luck!

Answer 5

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? It stands for National Novel Writing Month and happens every year in November. The idea is to write 50,000words during that month. I don't think the aim is quality, but having a target of some sort may help you to build up the discipline. And you've got nearly a whole year now to think of a plot and structure.

Answer 6

You are convinced that your life is interesting ,it means it deserves all the time ,it'll necessitate to write your book ;so don't bother yourself with details and begin what's more important a new chapter in your life ,and who knows ,perhaps the introduction of a future best seller

Answer 7

Sit down and write...Blunt statement, yes, but true! And rememeber "it is better to write for the self and have no public than to write for the public and have no self." Including all of the editing, drafting ,revising, etc..Probably a year or a little more.. Stay focused...Write EVERY DAY and develop a habit of doing so.. Good luck with your book! :)
Kiara

Answer 8

1. come up with a winning idea.
2. outline the plot.
3. sit down and write regularly, every day, even if only for half an hour.
4. join a writer's group.
5. don't waste your time contacting publishers, the only thing they are less interested in than new writers is writers who haven't written anything.

Answer 9

Start by typing in notes... year by year. It will take as long as you want. Then join it altogether and see what you come up with. It must be interesting to others if you want it to sell.

Answer 10

Just tuck in! Currently writing one in my lunch break.

Only one tip; don't got to any creativ writing classes. Most people that attend them are pale and dul individuals. If you've got it in you, it'll flow out of you naturally, might not always be fast, might not always be easy, but it'll come. No evening class can force that out!