How to start writing a novel?
Ok, I am a pretty good writer, good with keeping interest, good with words, all of that stuff. So I have now decided that I would like to write a novel. The only problem is… getting started. I have been thinking about this for probably a month or so now, and still cannot come up with a definitive idea. Can anybody suggest any ways to help me get started and off the ground? Thanks!!
- GuitarMaster
Tags: How To Start Writing A Novel, Write A Novel, Writing A Novel
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 am
Just write. Maybe your first couple of ideas will be crap, but eventually you will find something you like.
Just keep at it.
January 25th, 2009 at 12:12 am
oh, dude you should totally do NaNoWriMo!! (google it lol) its awesome for firsttime writers, thats what im doing! its a strech, i know, but its fun because you can get support from people all around the US =D awesome. cant wait til Nov 1!!
also, they have forums on their site, that is where i got my awesome idea for a novel! well, it was an idea that spawned off another idea i read which was great as well!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
This probably won’t help at all, but it’s worth a try.
Think of things you are interested in. I am currently writing, too, and I got my idea by thinking of things that are currently happening today, or things that could happen today, combined with things that I like to write about. I don’t know why, but I really like writing about love and the conflicts one has with love. I tend to focus on real situations, things that could happen in real life, but that’s not always the case for everyone. There’s also fantasy, stuff like that.
Once you have an idea of what you like to write about, expand on it. Do some research. For example, if you were to write a novel about a dog, you want to know what that breed of dog looks like, how it acts, stuff like that. If you write something realistic but get key facts all wrong, it will probably not help at all. But, like I said before, you don’t have to stick with reality. You can make up your whole idea, create a whole plot from your mind. Stephenie Meyer’s book Twilight evolved from a dream she had.
Sometimes what I do is I pick maybe three things that I really love to write about, then do little quick-writes on them. For example, I really love wolves. I might write a quick-write on it, and make up a quick little story in my head about a wolf that is lost and its journey to find its way back home. Something like that.
Lastly, challenge yourself! Think of things you never thought you could write about. Still stick with what you really love, but along the way, make up something you never thought would come to mind. Dare to be different. If every author wrote about the same thing or in the same way, books would never be interesting.
Good luck. I hope this helped. =]
January 28th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Writers have a sort of mental language. When we say ‘I’ll write when I feel the inspiration’ we actually mean ‘I’ll probably never write, but hey, at least I can say I have dreams’. You’ve gotta be firm with yourself. You’re never going to get anything written if you don’t put the computer screen right in your direct vision. Indulge yourself–write about characters that are unrealistic but that you can love. Leave yourself a cliff hanger every time you finish for the day so you’re excited to get back and write what will happen. After all, it’s just the first draft. Good novels are born on the second draft. Always remember that the first draft is just a tool to help you figure out what will happen in your story. The second draft is where you add the depth, beauty, etc. That’s why novel writing’s harder than it looks–it’s really not that fun writing the first draft. But it’s more than fun writing the second.
Also, plan out your novel. But don’t get confused, novel outlines really are used only to get your feet off the ground. Once you have your characters set, the story will morph into something totally different. Like I said, the outline is only for that terrible, dreaded beginning.