Can someone help me with this problem?

Question

I want to write a fiction novel that involves religion/spirituality but I don't know where to begin? It doesn't really matter what kind of book I'm writing. I guess I just need help with the outline of writing any book. Why is this so hard? I was in Honors English in highschool and college and my essays were a breeze. Also... how can I begin getting a poetry book published, edited, and illustrated? I can doodle I may just illustrate it myself like Shel Silverstein. The poetry book will be for children. The fiction novel is for a more mature audience.

Answer 1

first of all you must come up with your basic idea of your book, thats on you no one can help you
then begin in idea blocks, not an outline write the basic ideas down as the flow into head, like you're daydreaming
after that writing it becomes simple
the first book is always the hardest

for the poetry, use a poor man's copyright first, take the original manuscripts and put them in an envelope, and mail it to yourself this way if a person somehow finds a copy and tries to use it as their own you have somthing to fall back on

It helps if you know people, if not send in a piece to literary journals for amateurs or something similar, if you're good somebody will notice, try using youre old professors, they can help

Answer 2

I think the first thing you have to do is focus on one thing at a time. I'm not a novelist so don't know how to help you there other than to say you would have to come up with an idea for the book, then go on to characters and dialogue. I think just jotting down your ideas would be the way to begin.

As for poety the same applies in that you need to write down some ideas. For a childrens book of poetry look at the world around you through the eyes of a child, innocent, unassuming etc...Write about things they enjoy. Go to a park and observe them playing, take notes and you'll have a poem in no time. Once you have a sufficient amount of poetry you can self publish a chapbook at first. Then you can market, promote and distribute it both on and offline. Chapbooks are a good beginning to the publishing world.

Answer 3

I am currently writing a fiction work with a bit of religious twist. I think you need to make some decisions about what aspects of the religious experience you want to explore, decide on how your theme is going to capitalize on it, how many characters you feel you want to use, decide on a plot, outline your story, make a list of details you need to research, do your research, rethink your plot, decide on the P.O.V. you will use, Tentatively write out your character's bios, - what they look like, how the talk, their individual mannerisms, styles, jobs. etc. Outline your book, or storyboard it. Start writing.
Novel writing is not essay writing. the difference is the same as between being a paint mixer or an artist. Essay writing is a job, and novel writing is a creative art. You need to be a good story teller before you can become a good novelist, for in essence story telling is what you are doing. The technical aspects of writing and grammar are mostly mechanical and correctable, in the main, with the help of any modern word processor these days. Colorful engaging prose. good plotting, and Keeping A Reader's Attention, are not. There are tons of books on "How to Write The Perfect Novel" Zillions of exercises, billions of experts on Voice, Point of View, Techniques like foreshadowing, heroic flaws, etc, Not any of which will save you from needing to achieve the epiphany of discovering your story. Therefore, "it doesn't matter what kind of book" is patently untrue. If you have a story worth telling, you will be able to solve and shape it into a novel with work, such as others have indicated in their journeys toward publication. In the end, is an editor, making a decision based on the competitive level of your work, his companies needs, what he feels to be his market, and a raft of other, non- literary concerns. Not for nothing is the advice given in a word -- if you want to write, Write! If you want to get better, Write more!
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Answer 4

um. I don't know if anyone else can really tell you how to outline your book for you. You have to put your own voice to it--learn what works best coming from you.
a good way to get ideas, though, is to read examples of what you're aiming for, so I suggest picking up some fiction novels taht have religion and spirituality in them. this isn't to copy them or anything like that, but rather, to get a feel for how they've developed their voice and put it together so you get ideas for how you want to do yours. you could use it as a "no, I'm not going to do it like that" example or a "this is awesome, I liked how they did [insert detail]" example.
I've always been taught that before you take on a new task, you must first study what you're trying to accomplish to get a feel for how it's done.

I don't know anything about publishing, so good luck with that.

Answer 5

Please don't take this with discouragement, but you are really starting from the wrong direction; that's why you are finding this so difficult.
Never forward the action according to a plot... this means that if your story is plot/action motivated, rather than character motivated, that spiritual issue you want to tackle will be unengaging--Religion is a very "human" issue.
Also, remember that stories that are too heavy-handed on the side of a "moral message" feel terribly contrived, like some Victorian novel designed to educate proper young women.

Answer 6

He might try a different type of shaving gel, some of them are designed to help soften up the stubble. Of course that is usually for the shave itself. Over time I would think your skin will become used to the abrasive nature of his chin. A lotion on your skin before making out might help also. Perhaps he could grow a goatee or a beard. Long facial hair does tend to be softer.

Answer 7

You have to figure that out yourself, dude. Someone else cant start your book for you, or it wouldn't be your true work.