When writing a novel, is it better to actually WRITE out the story or to type it up?

Question

Uh...I don't know where to start with my hopefully-soon-to-be-bestseller.......I have the ideas and everything, but am stuck on how to get it down and out of my head. I don't want to go and write out a handwritten copy but not have publishers accept it after...you know what I mean? =/ =)

Answer 1

Whatever works best for you. You can handwrite it first if that's what it takes to get your creative juices flowing and then type it. Right now, don't worry about what the publishers will think, all that matters is if you're happy with your story and if it's one you would want to read. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

First of all, the best way to write is however you can get the words out of your head and onto the paper the easiest. If you type much faster than you hand-write, you may want to type it. If you like the intimacy of hand-writing the story, then use a pen and paper. (However, in this case, plan on getting lots of cramps in your writing hand.)

Secondly, you will need to type it up, in the end. You will need multiple copies so that you can keep one copy and submit the others to publishers. And the publishers WILL want typed manuscripts. (They often have a list of how they want it typed, too.)

Thirdly, you will undoubtedly be making corrections or alterations to your story - which means that a computer is an invaluable tool. I can't imagine hand-writing all the different drafts of my story... That's way too much work.

Good luck!

Answer 3

as far as just coming up with the story write on WHATEVER napkins, papers, computer you cant really always organize your book into time frames for piecing it together sometimes it just comes and it goes -just keep your notes together and everytime you finish a folder of stuff type it up and print it up because you can read it easier that way and edit it-when all is said and dont you MUST type up your work to send it and remember a copy not the orig. it would suck to lose all that hard work-the editors will make marks on it and tell you a ya or nay handwritten material is not professional they wont accept it should be bound and should have a cover page all your info basics basics but dont try to stress on the organization of where to write when to write -whatever is comfortable is the winner

Answer 4

Very few people ever write novels by longhand anymore. There are ones out there for whom it works . . . personally, I could never do it, but that's just me.

Even if you do write it by hand, before you submit it to publishers, you'd want to either type it up or have someone else type it up for you.

Just sit down and start writing. Write nonsense sentences until something comes to you . . . it's the only way, otherwise the ideas will just stay stuck up in your head.

Answer 5

The first draft can be written in crayon on napkins. Or whatever writing medium works best to get your creative juices flowing.

I actually work best with pen and college ruled paper rather than a word processor. I type it up as soon after as I can, though, and save it in multiple places.

The final well-edited draft must be typed out in a specific format.

Answer 6

i've got been writing my novel for a mutually as, yet I took a wreck for it slow, once I have been given bored of it, or wanted to jot down something else, or become busy. i attempt to jot down a financial ruin, 2000 words minimum for me, a night, yet I each and every so often bypass. Mine is in easy terms a prevalent draft, and for procuring it revealed, i bypass to have my mom edit it lots, then study throughout the time of the diversities and comments and fasten it to the dazzling mixture that i desire, then have my sister, then buddy, do it. and then my different buddy is analyzing it to make confident it is solid :D. i've got replaced countless issues in my novel, by using fact I in basic terms enable the words bypass. Like, I further a character that become in basic terms in desires and memories until eventually now, and completely minor, and now she's lots extra substantial to the tale and provides a clean type to it. i might say that's incredibly substantial. in actuality, as I wrote, i individually replaced the plot and morphed it to extra healthy extra advantageous. i did no longer do many information by using fact i like having the liberty to alter issues devoid of having to difficulty approximately sending my entire tale off stability. i'm hoping to end the extremely writing with the help of this month or next, and the enhancing technique with the help of August or September.

Answer 7

well i would say, write down ideas, startes and mabe some quotes and things like that on paper, then type up the story, because it has to be typed when you send it to a publisher, but you could also write it out, then type it, but it would take time, but it would be better to catch mystakes. But use type writer, they make you think harder, because if you mess up, you have to re-type it, just something i learned

Answer 8

Some of the best authors out there wrote some parts that they wanted to flow better by hand, then they typed the parts that were transitions.
This info is cutesy of THE BEST AUTHORS!
Use some or none. I don't care. Hope they helped at least a little.
=D

Answer 9

Whichever is closer. If you have a computer near, uses the computer. If a pen and paper are nearer, then the pen and paper. But make sure you get both the paper and the computer additions before a final copy. Know what you have and like it all before you officially finish your book.

Answer 10

Write it out if you feel comfortable with that, but you've gotta submit it in typed form if you ever want to get it published.