I am writing a book, but I don't have any experience. Any advice or websites, on writing would be amazing.

Question

I really need advice on how to word things correctly. Like if the character is thinking something, then what is a good way to bring he/she back to the present. Or when you are talking from the main characters point of view, and you want to switch to another, when is it good timing to switch,and then go back. Anything like this or related will be great. thank you.

Answer 1

http://www.absolutewrite.com/ is a good website to get you started. It is a writing community with tons of helpful articles on just about any topic you can think of related to writing. Here is the link for the articles on novels: http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/articles1.htm

They also have a very active forum where you can post questions and get answers and encouragement from experienced writers. Occasionally they have guest authors, agents, and publishers who are willing to answer your questions. There is a section titled Bewares and Background Check which lists agents and publishers you should avoid. They also have a password protected critique board where you can post a sample of your work and get helpful feedback.

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

Good luck with your book!

Answer 2

A character's thoughts are printed in italics. On your manuscript, the correct format for the character's thoughts is italic and underline. That underline and italics is what the publisher needs so they know that it is something that is supposed to be in italics.

Now for the point of view...a switching point of view within a chapter is called "head bobbing". If you are a "head bobber" then you are considered a "sl*t" [in the writing world because you keep bobbing heads] and it is a sign of a novice writer. Each chapter has to be in one point of view.

I will tell you that head bobbing is used in romance novels during a romantic encounter. That is the only place head bobbing is considered acceptable. If you are unable to write a particular sceen without changing the point of view character, [showing more than one person's thoughts], then maybe you should change the point of view to third person omnicient. Each chapter has a point of view character, so change your point of view in another chapter.

When switching the point of view character legally in a chapter, you need a definite transition that will not confuse the reader. If you read close enough, you will notice that most authors [except for romance] do not actually switch their point of view character until that one character's thought process has ended for the time being. Check out http://www.writersdigest.com There you will have a whole world dedicated to writing.

Answer 3

A couple of sites that I have found helpful are:
http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles.html
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/index.shtml

I've posted the links to their articles index for the areas you are referring to. You have to hunt a little bit, but there's some great advice. Also, it looks like Fiction Factor has a forum you may want to join for hands on help. There's another great place for hands on help at http://www.fmwriters.com . (Forward Motion for Writers) It takes a little while to learn to navigate through the forums, but people are ready and willing to lend a hand/give advice. There are so many members that you never have to wait too long for a response.

I'm also a member of a smaller forum http://www.newbie-writers.com .There is a forum there is well that you may find helpful, but the editor also has lots to offer if you search through the site.

Those are just a few suggestions. I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Look on the websites of the Community Colleges in the city where you live. They should have at least one or two writing courses offered various times during the year.

Answer 5

You need to do some serious study:
(1) Read writers you like a lot and study how they do things, the things you mentioned.
(2) Get some good books on fiction writing--go to writer's digest books--read and study them. They're here: http://www.writersdigest.com/store/books.asp
(3) Write constantly, every day, carry a little notebook with you at all times, describe everything you see, copy conversations, and write, write, write--to develop your style.

Answer 6

There was this little girl who had cancer and was dying. She wrote a book called "Zinc the Zebra". She was only eleven. It is really a cute children's book. Google it.