What's the best way to get started on a novel?

Question

NOTE: I'M LOOKING FOR LEGIT ADVISE.

I have so many ideas and its sort of difficult to get all of them on paper. And that's sad too, because I'm a writer for a local newspaper. But novels are different. It's totally all my ideas and thoughts. Do I try to draft a story first or compile characters? If I have the characters would the story sort of come into its own? Are there any writers out there? If you are working or have worked on published material, what guidelines did you follow? What advise did you receive to help you get started?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Answer 1

Personally, when I sat down to start my novel I began by creating the characters and the world that they live in (it's fantasy). I spent some time free-writing about each one of them, and got to know their hopes, dreams, and personality quirks. By knowing each of their strengths and weaknesses, the story really did flow naturally. Conflicts and friendships come naturally when you put two people that you know well in a situation together!

I'm not a big outliner, but it works for some people. I did, however, write a one-page synopsis of the idea when it came to me so I had some sort of plot to start with. The book isn't exactly that original idea, but it was nice to have a bit of a head start.

I would suggest this for you. Pick up an empty notebook, and take a page or two to describe each of the ideas that are floating around your head. You will quickly be able to tell which stories are easy to write about! Then you will have all your plots together in one place when you go to begin a new project.

As far as guidelines for publishing-- I never worry about that when I start to write. I don't write to publish, I write because I love it and it's a part of who I am. If I focus on making my poems and stories right for someone else, they will never have that passion and spark.

Lastly, read, read, and read some more! If there are genres that you are particularly interested in writing, then focus on that. Really study the book-- How does the author develop the characters? What is the pacing like? Does he or she jump into the middle of the story?

Good luck, and happy writing!

Answer 2

First of all, there are a ton of Resolved Questions here with the exact same question. If it is that important to you, you should surf and read through the answers.

First comes brainstorming on paper, then outlines and character studies - followed by research - followed by a first draft. Yes, if you know your characters inside and out, you will find the story falls into place because you will know how they would respond in any given situation.

That's the best way for a first time novelist. I dont outline - never did, but I do make notes and drive with a tape recorder on the seat beside me. Everyone is different, but from the tone of your question, I'd suggest the outline plan.

Pax - C.

Answer 3

Before I ever start writing, I keep a sort of scrapbook. I write down possible names of characters and places, I do research on where the story will be located (if you're using a fictional location, start taking notes on what you want that place to be like), and generally, I just make a very light outline of the story, perhaps filling in parts that I am able to visualize most clearly.

I also work on what are essentially character bios. I try to imagine what they will look and sound like. I ask myself if I should use a dialect for them or not and I develop a history for the characters. Often times, I will keep photos, ads in magazines, postcards, maps, ect. which I sometimes base my characters and locations on. I find it's easiest to write when you have something to help you visually. If you can sketch, paint, whatever, you can create this images for yourself if you like (I cannot, so I have to stick to the stuff other people make).

Once I really feel like I'm ready to go, I start writing. If I don't know how I really want to start the piece, I'll work on fleshing out scenes I know I want to use and then work backwards. The best thing to remember when you're writing is that your first draft, second draft, even your third draft may not look anything like your final product, and that's okay. The key to writing is to revise. If you're not sure you're going to want a scene in the final product, that's okay. Write it anyway, and if it doesn't work out, delete it.

I highly recommend that you read a lot in the genre you want to write in. It's good to get a feel for the successful writers, but more importantly, it allows you to know what's already out there. You don't want to overlap storylines, concepts, etc. So, know what else is out there, but don't imitate it. Find your own style. If you feel your work is beginning to sound like another writer's, take a break for a couple of days or a week and come back to it. Figure out where you lost your own voice and work it back in.

Remember, revision is your friend. Don't get discouraged if you delete three thousand words at a time, sometimes that's just the way it has to work. If you do delete a scene, save it somewhere. Have it to refer back to and perhaps you'll want to add it in later.

Good luck with your writing. Enjoy the process, it's the best thing out there.

Answer 4

For your information, I'm not a writer but I think I can help you with this. I think you must know the character of the story and their characteristic first. Draft the plot of the story. When you're done, you can start writing. Or like what you said, when you have the character already, sometimes you can pop out with ideas when you keep on writing....

P/s: I'm just a student and I just tell you based on my experience

Answer 5

There are, of course, a lot of good and not so good books on writing novels. You might want to check out Robert McKee's "Story". It's targeted to screenwriters but I've used it to write a novel and found it quite helpful. Generating scene ideas, character studies and external research (relevant factual information) are all good ways to start and doing them together will allow each to inform the other. For myself, I allow the outline to come out of the three exercises above. This approach minimizes my prejudices regarding the story's structure. BTW, I'd also suggest you check out "How to" books relevant to your specific genre. Below I've listed a few books I've found useful but I'm sure I'm missing a ton. Regardless, it's worth remembering that the difference between writers and non-writers is that writers write and that the business of writing is rewriting. Good luck!

Answer 6

I just write and let the details come to me as I progress.

But you brainstorm, draft, outline, do whatever you need to do to get the book started off well.

I don't follow anyone's guidelines but the ones I go by. And that's: Just write and don't worry about someone else's published book or line of success stories.

Answer 7

Usually I'd just list down my ideas, then think about them while doing various things. Take a walk, take a bath, relax on the couch, or whatever you want to do, just make sure it isn't thought consuming, and think about it. You'll start to make connections, and the words will pop up in your head. That's how it works for me. Try it.