I want to write a book, my greatest passion since the age of 10?

Question

I have a tendency to write short stories because I have a hard time dragging a story through a couple hundred pages. Is there anywhere I can go or does someone know a good technique for creating a storyboard that I can work off of? Or does anyone know how to go about creating a storyline to write a book with? Because I just can't seem to start writing and keep it going on and on. There has to be a technique. I'm poor and can't afford classes.

Answer 1

Join the club. I'm so poor I can't even pay attention.

If you've only written short stories for as long as I think you have, then you're going to *need* to start writing partial novels next.

Because short stories, are well...*short*--dragging them out to 200 pages may not accomplish what you originally set out.

As a result, you're pretty much burned out and unable to continue onto the next. Only because you're mind is now "ascending" to the next level of writing: And that's *novels*.

But writing a novel isn't easy. And so instead of trying to take 200 pages and stretching it to 400, or 600 pages, you should try and go back to how you write stories, and start lengthening them little bit by little bit.

Start *expanding* your imagination and your potential just a little further. See what you can do with your ideas, your words, and your inner voice.

Brainstorming would be a good idea. But instead of just focusing on a *linear* storyline abstract, you should widen your field of vision by encompassing other ideals and story elements.

Slowly draw them in, but don't go by what you've read. Look at what you have and then *push* out the first idea as far as it can go.

Then--once you're finished--take the next element, and go further. Write as much as you can--completely disregarding the rules of writing and publishing for a moment--and go to the next as soon as you finish with the second.

Do the same with the third, the fourth, and so on. But take your *time*. There is absolutely no rush.

If you can get to 200 pages, then set your next writing goal to 250. Create a storyline which will fit this partial novel. Then write it--using my advice.

Concentrate on what's in front of you. Don't worry about what's over that hill. Once you get past Step 1, then go to Step 2. But each of these steps should reflect your storyline.

Don't deviate too much.

I have a group which has the basic essentials to story and novel writing. It's old stuff, but it should you help you out.

If you need further help, check out a book called Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen. This is perhaps one of the *best* books you'll ever come across as a beginner.

His easy-to-follow steps will guide you to writing your novel. Or story. Or whichever you want to do next.

Writing classes are only for those who need structure and a need to follow in the footsteps of those published authors who came before them.

You'll learn a lot more from books than you will in a structured class environment.

Answer 2

Are you a visual person or do you think in words? If you are visual, try drawing a character, or find pictures of people that you may want to use for your character. As far as descriptions, just look at each feature and explain it...

As far as making longer stories, try writing a few types of stories, like a western, sci-fi, or even romance. You will learn how to set different moods and plots that way, and how you describe your western hero is a lot different than a romance hero. Even if you only write 20 pages of each, your skills will become more well rounded

As far as writing a novel, some writers like to write the big events first. Like if one of your characters undergoes a major surgery, try writing that first. Then maybe as you right you will decide he/she has a birthmark on his/her hip, which you can later add for what will become earlier in the book.

The most important thing is to keep writing. Much of it will not come together until near the end. For instance I have been working on a non-fiction book for two years, and I've read over 300 academic books and contacted professors from Yale and other colleges, but right now I only have 160 typed pages of the book, yet I have nearly 600 pages of hand-written notes. However I am finishing nearly 30 pages a day, so I could be done in a week or two with the rough draft. From then, it is just editing, editing, editing.

About a year into the project, I thought "Okay I've done more work than I conceived of" and felt tempted to stop, but then I thought, "If I quit, then no one will ever read a word of all this. All of it will be lost" So in order to keep all my work from being in vain, I am pushed to complete it, and to let others see the product of my years of work.

Pick something very interesting to you, and just keep plugging away. It will not happen in a month. It may take years. But as each day passes, just tell yourself that if you give up, all those previous days of work would have been for nothing. And as every day passes, there will be more and more work that you put into it that you will want to make sure isn't wasted.

Answer 3

I used to do the same thing, I'd start a book and never get anywhere because I'd lose interest or think of something else. Unfortunately there's no technique that I know of to help with this. What works is pure determination. Force yourself to write, even if you only have the motivation for a few sentences at a time - it's still something. It's also best that you have a general plotline in your head before you sit down to write; it keeps you motivated. Also, let your ideas get you worked up about your book; get excited about it. Make yourself yearn for the next time you can sit down and start writing.

Answer 4

One thing you can look into is ghost writing services. If you're going to get your book published anyway, many publishers offer this service. With the short stories you've already written, you've got a good head start. I assume you've already got a good idea of what you want to write, but are just having trouble organizing your thoughts. A ghost writer is a professional writer that can help you do this. Obviously, this will cost money. However, so will publishing your book. You could also ask around to friends and family members. Some of them (without you even knowing) could be good at writing and want to publish a book, too. With their writing abilities and your creativity, you might be able to co-write a good book.

Answer 5

I'm trying to write a book too. I started with a completely mess in my head but now it seems pretty good... How did I do it? I don't know. Try giving more freedom to your idea... I mean make boards with pictures and names, Write short stories that you can make bigger in feature...
Why don't you tell me more... Is your book fantasy or not? For children or for adults? Mail me at [e-mail] and I could help you with your story. My English is not very good but I'll deal with that... OK?

Answer 6

How about trying working with flashbacks, or stream-of-consciousness technique? Also, combine that with action and a good plot.

Answer 7

write it as a short storie and then go back and add more detail.