How can I start to write my first novel?

Answer 1

Okay, I'm gonna tell you this right now, I'm not a published author and I'm not the greatest writer in the world. Now that that's cleared, I can begin.

To begin writing a novel, you need a few things: One is your imagination, you have to use those creative juices to produce some sort of plot. Without a plot, your story is neither driven, nor meaningful. So first off, think of the W's. "What" "When" Where" "Why" and you can always use "How", sometimes its needed, sometimes its not. You needn't always explain why a blade will cut you, or that a gun will put a hole through you its kind of common knowledge.

A second thing you will need, is patience. "Patience is a virtue" Well, maybe not, but it is key to focusing yourself. Writing things down when they come to you will by all means help you a lot, as you can always refer to it later if you don't want to use it right then and there. Patience will more often than not, give you a focus on your writing. A key thing though is to not rush yourself, let the ideas flow to you, don't go rushing inside your head cause you'll just end up with a headache.

A third thing you may need is if you can, write somewhere, where you are the most comfortable. If you can't take that computer or type writer with you, take a pen and a pad of paper and sit and brainstorm some ideas. Remember, let them flow into you. The whole point in being some where you feel comfortable, is so that your brain can relax and think about what you want to write.

If you are writing, then don't worry about incorrect spelling or paragraph errors, at least not right away. I know it may seem irritating if your like me, a typist who's got this thing out for typo's where you got to fix every problem, but let it go. Its hard, I know believe me I know.

If you got your plot, think about characters. What do you want them to achieve? What will they look like? How will they act to a given situation? Will they be dumbfounded that they're getting shot at, or will they duck for cover and seek a way around?

I hope these tips will help you in some way, just remember to keep pace with yourself. Don't rush, and don't worry right away about whats incorrect and whats not, just focus on what you want to write, and write it.

Answer 2

Make a plan. It could include character sketches and an outline, and these, of course, can change as your writing progresses.

Pick out an amount of time each day, a specific hour, or a word count goal. Sit down every day and make an effort to complete your task. For example, I made a vow for January to write 500 words a day to end up with 15,000 words by the end of the month. If you don't set goals for yourself, you'll be less likely to move forward.

Don't fall into the first chapter trap. Many beginning novelists stay stuck on perfecting their first few chapters and never move on. Turn off your inner editor, don't look back unless necessary, and promise yourself not to do any editing until you are done with your first draft.

These are just a few things that I have learned while working on my first novel. Two good books I have found that you might want to check out:
"Novelist's Boot Camp" by Todd Stone
http://www.amazon.com/Novelists-Boot-Camp-Boring-Bestseller/dp/1582973601/sr=8-1/qid=1169639628/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1089730-2081631?ie=UTF8&s=books
"The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing" by Evan Marshall
http://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Plan-Novel-Writing-Guaranteed/dp/1582970629/sr=1-3/qid=1169639919/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-1089730-2081631?ie=UTF8&s=books
And here's an article giving advice on novel writing that I found very helpful:
http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/

Answer 3

Stephen King said that if you want to be a serious writer you have to spend half your time reading and half your time writing.


And when you have interesting conversations, or ideas, write them down on a piece of paper (carry a memo pad around, maybe) and keep them in a file. You'll be able to use them later when creating your master-piece :)

Good luck.. writing is a full time job for some; don't take it lightly

Answer 4

Pretend, like the rest of the teens here that you are a writer (or a singer, or an actress, or a poet), get a pen, paper, and begin to write. Then, when you get bored (which you will), stop. Basically that's it. People who write REAL novels don't sit around Yahoo asking this inane questions.

Answer 5

Free flow write. Eventually a theme/story will present itself.

Good luck!

Answer 6

get an idea for a novel! Brain storm, worry about structure later. When your in a creative mood get it down on paper.

Answer 7

Put pen to paper...or load WORD blank document and start writing.....the story will start to flow....keep going until you run out of ideas or reach the end.....THEN start editing and editing and editing......
I'm a professional writer now.

Answer 8

Spend four days drawing the very first letter. Make it huge and super fancy.

The first Idiot that answered this question need to learn how to spell now, NOW !

Answer 9

Start writing right know.

Answer 10

In a way that will make me want to continue reading.