Writing Advice?

Question

I have a half-idea for a book, but I've been sitting in front of my computer practically all day and I haven't written one sentence. I'm really bad at starting new stories. Does anyone have any advice for me? Anything that might help to inspire me?

Answer 1

Ok, the first thing you need to do if you are spending all that time at the computer and not writing is GET AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD. You are spending all your time on the internet or playing games.

Go get yourself an ice tea or a soda, grab a notepad, and sit on your bed. Turn everything off. Set a timer. Don't put a foot on the floor for an hour or until you've written 400 words (that's not much, but a good beginning). Believe me, you'll write just so you can get off the bed. If you got the soda, you'll not last an hour. Biology.

Answer 2

Get out from behind the computer. Find yourself a large spiral bound note book (I like the ones with the binding on the top) and a pen that writes smoothly.

Then take your notebook and something to drink. Walk to the beach, a park or your local library. Find yourself a comfortable place to sit and simply start jotting down all your ideas. Don't worry about the punctuation, spelling or grammar.

I have often found that I want to be "perfect" when I'm typing on my computer and that cramps the creativity.

Or, get a small tape recorder and go for a walk or a drive as you spew all your ideas on tape. Good luck.

Answer 3

Get the idea down, the main part of your story, then let it evolve from there, but make sure to keep refering back to your main idea and changing it to fit the evolved version.

Jk rowling once said that each of the harry potter books started as about 10 pages. So after creating an idea you just evolve the story add detail, add little stories that develop characters more fully.

The hard part is getting started, but with today's technology adding a beginning isn't difficult at all so your start could end up being close to the climax of the story if it just so happens to turn out that way.

Answer 4

First of all brainstorm a little bit. Then outlining what you'd like the strory line to losely be really helps. I've found that doing an information page on each character is great too. Write down traits you really want to display in each character, and what they mean to the story as a whole. Good luck with your writing, and I hope this helps!

Answer 5

What I do when I can't start actually writing the story is either write biographies of characters or just write an outline. Writing about the characters can give you more insight about how the story will go, and working on an outline can help you get your thoughts organized. Good luck! I know exactly where you're coming from.

Answer 6

write the plot down,
just simple breif sentances of whats going to happen in the book, this is easier then trying to write word for word, then when all is in place you can re-write the plot for you'll find things you'll want to change after going through it, just keep doing this until you have it, then the writing part should be rather easy.
also theres one thing you could do, and this is something you should be doing anyway especially if you want to become a good author, you need to out of your mind when you write!
clear the head and focus inly on the story but focus loosly
I recommend watching peaceful warrior to better understand what I mean, or you can read the book it's written by dan millman.

Answer 7

Make a list of everything you want to include and jump in head first. Start with whatever interests you, it doesn't have to be page one. Then progressively make your way through the book. Consistancy = Results.

I have a word mark to reach daily: 1664 words per day. This will allow me approximately 20,000 words per month, and a good progression. Try something like that, and remember to vary it on the days that you can't write so much.
Good Luck!

Trilli

Answer 8

Write down the other half of the idea.Write the first thing that comes into your head. Or if your really serious about writing, find a writers group. Anyone can write, but not everyone can get published. Good Luck!

Answer 9

The same thing I tell all artists: eliminate judgement internal or external, just put it out of your mind. catagorically deny it and let your creative muse run free without ever questioning it. it can function in no other way and if you intend to enjoy what you are doing (which is essential to anyone enjoying reading it) you're wasting your time allowing judgement into your mind. other than that, start with a word, then a phrase, then a sentence, a paragraph, a page, a chapter, a book.

the end.

Answer 10

Start writing from anywhere in your idea. It doesn't have to be the beginning. That should start a flow. Try not to backspace, even if you don't love what you're writing.