Im going to write a book, but I'm clueless as to how to write it. Help please!?

Answer 1

First you find your muse - the thing that inspires you to create. It doesnt sound to me as though you've done that.

Have you ever seen the movie American Beauty? The man who wrote that Academy Award winning story was literally inspired by a plastic bag floating in the wind at the World Trade Center - which was depicted in the movie as the most beautiful thing the young filmmaker ever saw.

You have to find your plastic bag - the reason you are writing this book to begin with. Will it be the result of some message you have for the world?

Then work on a very strong outline and character studies. From the tone of your question, you will be the kind of author who needs that focus to reign him in. It will help you if you do your outline in several colors of ink -- one for the main plot and one for each of the subplots or backstories. No book just has one story in it.

Your character studies will determine which characters like which characters, which characters hate each other etc. The way people in your story rub against each other's lives will determine your sub plots.

The next thing you should do is create a story curve -- shaped like a rainbow - that shows the high point of the story and the beginning and end. Most likely the rainbow will be lopsided - with more going on before the climax than after it.

There is an excellent novel out there called "The Novelist". In it, the main character is a famous author who is teaching a Creative Writing class in a local college. During the semester, she literally goes through her creative process by writing a book for the class. The story goes through all of her steps in great detail. It is worth reading to see how the mind of an author works. Stephen King's "On Writing" is a great read also. So is a book called "The First Five Pages".

You can use these books in the last prep portion of your novel - the research phase. You will of course be doing research as you write, but use the pre-writing time to do the basic research you will need to understand your topic and get yourself going. Begin your research from your "muse" and go forward.

That is how you get it started. After that, you find a great first sentence and you are off! Good luck to you. Pax - C

Answer 2

Are you working from an outline? I don't tend to have very detailed outlines when I begin (I have a one or two page plot synopsis, though), but for many writers they benefit immensely from doing a thorough outline first. It really depends on how your brain works, but give it a shot and see if it helps!

I would recommend reading as many books as possible in the genres that you like to write, as well as about the craft of writing. When you are reading other fiction books, pay attention to how the authors structure their work.

Here are some of my favorites about writing:
1) "Writing Down The Bones" by Natalie Goldberg
2) "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott
3) "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser
4) "How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card
5) "On Writing" by Stephen King
6) "No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty
7) "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" by Lynne Truss
8) "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White

Also, take a look at a few websites where authors gather. Some of them have very helpful articles and forums. Holly Lisle has a fantastic website that has articles on both the business and writing aspects:
http://hollylisle.com/fm/

Forward Motion is a wonderful, helpful community:
http://www.fmwriters.com/

Absolute Write is one of my favorite author communities, with a vast pool of resources and helpful people:
http://www.absolutewrite.com

Write every single day. Set a target for yourself. For instance, my goal right now is to write 1,000 words a day. I get this done before I go on the internet, read, watch TV, or goof around. To begin, maybe set an easier goal for yourself-- try 250 words each day. Write in a journal as well, if you feel so inclined!

When you get ideas, find a way to record them as well. I have a spiral notebook that I keep just for that purpose. This way, when I want to begin a new project I can read through my notes and find just the right idea!

Also, never forget how important it is to edit and rewrite! When you finish a short story or novel, I suggest setting it aside for a month. Don't look at it or think about it (if you can help it). Work on another project. Once that time has passed, go back and read what you wrote. Try to be objective-- are there parts that need to be expanded? Cut out? Rewritten? How is the grammar and spelling? Editing could (and should) take more time than the original draft!

And keep practicing!

Answer 3

There are many sites which can offer valuable information on where to begin the process of writing a book. Some sites such as www.writingworld.com, www.bookmarket.com and others have articles related to the process of writing. Another site would be www.writersweekly.com which has a forum and is free to join. You can ask questions about the process and learn from other writers. It is a great resource.

I also have a web site www.myqualitywriting.com which has resources for other writers to help them in their publishing journey. Links and articles are constantly being added as new sources of quality information becomes recognized. I also offer a free ebook about my publishing journey which details my experience in writing and offers some suggestions.

Answer 4

First, you write. If you're truly a writer who's passionate about the craft, you've already been writing most of your life, so the first step should be no problem. Second, you should have completed smaller projects and gone through the editing process with those to polish them. You should already be familiar with plotting - beginning, middle, end. You should already be familiar with characterization, point of view, tense and voice. If you're not, start with short stories.

You should be an avid reader and know what type of stories you like to read, know what you'd like to read.

If you haven't already completed all of these steps, you're not ready to write a full-length novel.

Answer 5

That would really depend on the subject of the book, the style you plan to use, what program you plan to use to type it, and a hundred other questions. Could we get a bit more info?

Answer 6

Reading books would help. Try to observe the wirting style of the Author. I think you should try to imagine your story. Then, put on paper what you "see". Describe everything- how the characters feel, do, taste, smell, see....etc. and their surroundings. That's all I can say.....

Answer 7

What kind of book? I'd love to start writing, too....

Answer 8

Outline what you want to see written.

Base your book on something YOU would like to see written.

Start writing.

And don't forget to experiment as you go!

Answer 9

if u've no ideas right now, then don't write..... :) do some researchers, observe your surroundings, concentrate on your feelings, or u may wanna try some exotic food like ethopian food....eventually, u'll get the idea.....good luck!!!

Answer 10

Write about what you know - and be honest...