I've always wanted to write a book; where do i start?

Question

I want to write a book that is loosely based on my life. I don't have any training or experience, and i don't know how to even get started or where would i go to present to a publisher. Is there publisher that actually look for amatuer writers and if so can u help me with information on one or several? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

1. Begin forming ideas. Some authors jot down ideas and afterwards select the ones they want, others just simply start to write with only one sentence in their head. Which ever way you do it, it's fine - but the most common way is actually starting with an idea - or even no ideas. You'll find that after the first sentence, the ideas will pop into your head and it'll flow. Just keep writing, don't look up, you can correct it later. You get the best stories by keeping on going and not looking at the screen - your brain will say to you that it stinks and to do it all again. Stick to a limit per day. Or a minimum. It'll help your writing. And never stop. No matter how bad it seems, JUST KEEP GOING! This is the most important thing! If you have anyone around you that discourages you, shoo them away or ignore them. Better still, get away from them.
2. Once you finish your story, which should be suitable to the following guidelines which publishers Allen and Unwin follow:
* Junior fiction
* For beginner readers, aged 5-8, word length 5,000-10,000
* For confident readers, aged 7-10, word length 10,000-30,000
* For middle readers, aged 11-14, word length 30,000-55,000
* Young adult novels
* For teenage readers, aged 13-16, word length 40,000-60,000
* For mature teenage and older readers, aged 15+, word length 40,000-100,000
* For a total list and for more information and writing and publishing, go to http://www.allenandunwin.com/writing/default.htm
3. Recheck and re-edit your story - fifty times if necessary. It can't be stressed how much this is necessary. Get others to check it. They can spot things better than the author him/herself.
4. Research different publishers. You may choose to self publish, but getting published by a big time publisher is better for getting a larger audience. Most publishers only choose to publish or even read solicited material - that is, manuscripts gone through an agent. Agents usually also choose to read only material that they are acquainted with - or the authors they know. Prices range. However, there are quite a few publishers that do publish unsolicited material, such as Penguin or Allen & Unwin.
5. Once you have decided on a few publishers - the more the better - start researching about them. Some choose to publish for adults only selected genres - all info is available at their websites. Some have different guidelines and word limits, or whether it need be solicited or not. Some also require a synopsis - a summary. However, ALL publishers require a hard copy (printed off) version of your story. Do not send emailed copies or ones on a disc, unless stated you may. Usually they don't tend to return them, so keep your original with you.
6. Wait and wait. Send your copies to all avaliable that you can. It may take up to four months - even more, maybe - to get it edited.
7. If you get it, well done, and see it in the stores! But they will not advertise it for you - only market it out for you.


Tips

* Always go on. Never stop to check your work - you'll be discouraged.
* Stick to the plot. If you have another idea, jot it down, and try and see where you can wedge it in without leading the story into total chaos and doom.
* Try numerous publishers. Some will take you, some won't.
* Publishers won't advertise your book. That's up to you, the author. They market it out, but they don't advertise it except for maybe on their websites.
* Remember; regardless of your age, most publishers will still publish for you if your story is good! Be prepared to take criticism and use it wisely.


Warnings

* If meeting the publisher/s, make sure you actually turn up and be yourself - don't put on an act or be nervous. Normally publishers tend to already have decided; they just want to go through protocol.
* Don't fall into the trap of avoiding 'said'. Many new writers tend to think that using the word 'said' gives an overuse of the word. However, this isn't the case. Take the following:
o "Come on!" Joseph cried. He ran around the garden excitedly.
o "Yes or no?" Mother inquired as she walked down the stairs to him.
* In both cases the words 'cried' and 'inquired' are used - but already the rest of it gives the reader the idea that Joseph is excited and Mother is relaxed. You don't have to have words like 'inquired', 'quoted', 'denied', 'stated' - 'said' is perfectly good and is short - and lets the reader form the image themselves without you butting in and paving their way for them.
* Adverbs (words describing the verb ~ ending in 'ly') are not your friends! try to describe the action using strong verbs and descriptive clauses.

Answer 2

Well, I myself am writing a book. I had been working on a beginning for several years and only now have i found one that is acceptable. See, you need to start writing this book for yourself. Don't worry too much about what you write the first time, because you can always go back and change things. i end up crossing out half a page, sometimes.Keep a notebook. Its can be of anything-particular details that inspire you, ideas for what will happen in your book, even a time line. Anything that helps. Sometimes you'll write something and look at it later with totally different eyes. Keep going back and reading what you've written over. Good luck! Remember-your first try doesn't have to be your last!

Answer 3

No, I don't know of any publisher who specifically seeks new authors.

The first thing you have to do is sit down and make an outline of what you want to write. If it is loosely about your life, you have to decide if it is autobiographical or fictional. Don't get caught in the James Frey trap.

Then you have to remember that using people's names requires releases. If you are changing them, that is better, but it is still a cool idea to let people know you are writing but intend to tell their stories in a way that protects them.

That outline serves as your guide when you write. Expect to take a year to 18 months or even longer to write. Once you are done, start with page 1 and revise. Maybe another 6 months to do that.

When you are ready for publishing, I have starred a ton of good Q and A. You can go to my profile and access them. Print out a bunch and use them to study. There are a lot of great answers. I add more all the time when people post good questions concerning writing.

Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 4

lol. Well first it starts with a title......
Just kidding. I don't even have a title. There's really no way to start, you just write. If you read a lot of books then you have all the knowledge you need. about your life? Easy, make a name for "yourself" then add some exciting occurences to "your life".
Every first book you write will not be brilliant, it's when you go over it and edit a few things AFTER YOU FINISH IT. That's when the story becomes great. As for a publisher, I don't know. I don't write books for others to read. I write them for me. The best answer would be internet and email for publisher stuff.

Answer 5

Ok first of all to get the skills to become a writer you must constantly read. Master the english language by this know how to write effectively.

First you must start writing then locate publishing companies let the m read youe exerpt maby a chapter if they like it theyll ask for the same thing if they dont like it try another company. Remember jk rowling got turned down by over 20 publishers. dont give up. Umm theres not ameatuer publisher writers. If you think youre an ametuer writer you can write. have confidence. Even if you are not good a writing write like you can . have confidence

o i frogot you might need to get an agent if necessary

good luck

Answer 6

Well first, outline your story, so you don't trail off and lose it. Put a lot of effort into it, because that'll help your story a lot. Focus of the parts that are non-fiction and fiction, and figure out how you're going to put them together.
As for the publisher...they don't really look for specific authors like that. You'll need to get an agent (or it helps EXTREMELY). If you send your manuscript in by yourself, it ends up in a slush pile and doesn't always get the best attention. If fact, for a slush pile book, any attention is rare. If you send your manuscript through an agent or editor, the publisher will look at it.
As for finding the right agent/publisher, check your favorite books acknowledgements and search the Internet. They list a lot of names in acknowledgements, and a lot of times, they have agents and editors and publishing houses.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Just start writing to begin with. then when your done edit and find a publisher in the yellow pages and bring it to them. Then you can just hope they like your book and publish it. GOOD LUCK!!! =)

Answer 8

Once upon a time