how to write a book?

Question

I was looking at an answer to a question i asked earlier and i need some oppinions on something.

One of the hardest things to do when writing a book is know what will best keep an audience. Sometimes you write a scene (movies are the same way), and then the editors go in and say .. this wont work... this is too much... this should be changed.

I'm sure authors think the same way.

But what is the best way? should I put in everything i can think of then send it to the cuting floor? or recreate as i go?

Answer 1

Choose your audience. Then write.

Answer 2

This might sound strange and surreal, but I don't believe in planning out. It's so restricting and just letting your fingers dance across the keyboard with one idea and ending up with another is true art. I know that planning sometimes leads to the greatest books known to man, classics, but for some reason, it doesn' work with me. Of course thought, you do have to have an idea and you have to know how to write the story along with its mood.You can't write a serious story in the tone of a fun and happily ever after story, it doesn't sound write. Some people have different talents though. I for one am into the deeper and the stories that make you think for hours, "what if?". Most of my friends, however, enjoy the free, happy story. I just can't get through a book like Clique without getting bored automatically. A good, deep, vampire story though, can keep me occupied for hours without wanting to leave it like Twilight. Brilliant book and I'm dying to read New Moon. That is just my opinion though. I am a strange person though, so we'll see what works better eventually. What you said about the way an author's mind works though, is so true. I can't get through the first page without already critisizing it. I mostly just try to clear my mind and then write, but of course the human mind is distracted easily. I think that it's almost impossible to send in a story without making adjustments at first though. If the editors see too many errors, they may get the impression that you're not serious or that you don't care enough. I would recreate if after your done though because going over every chapter would be tedious, but that's just me. I hope his helped.

Answer 3

Here's one of several self-invented methods that I use: Stay in your backyard. Write about what you know - Plumbing; Electrical; Hockey; Football; Gardening; etc. Make a list regarding everything you know or can think about whichever subject you select to write about.

Now, in 25 words or less, select words from your list and sell yourself to an employer for a million dollar a year salary based on how and why you are worth such a salary. Then separate the 25 words into: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Now select a literary genre you want to write in - Romance; Mystery; Horror; Science Fiction; etc. Write down a description of that genre from the ditcionary, and then gradually modify the dictionary's description until it fits into your overall material.

Let the material sit for a few days. Come back to it later and keep perusing the material, adding R&D ideas as you go, until it begins to flow into a story. I wouldn't worry about criticism until you've completed the work & get opinions from close friends and associates. Good luck in developing your own style & methods of R&D applications from there.

Answer 4

When you pick up that pen or sit before your keyboard, don't think about what the reader might want, think about the opening sentence of your book and write it down and just let your imagination feed off your own mind. Never write what you think others crave. You write what you want and you will be surprised to find that others might just like what you have to say.

Answer 5

Make a time line

List your charactors & details concerning them

Set time aside each time to write

The more you read the better you will write

Answer 6

Write every day of your life.

Write for fun.

Write down all of your ideas.

Keep them all in one place.

Eventually something that makes sense will emerge....

"Practice your craft."


James

Answer 7

Just follow your instincts and you will always succeed.