How do you plan/start a book?!

CheekyAless · Post by **CheekyAless** » 23 May 2013, 13:25

How would you begin a book and plan!
I noted ideas for writing a book but I have no idea where to start! It's not as easy as picking up a pen and scribbling away!

Can anybody recommend where to start?

emberwood · Post by **emberwood** » 23 May 2013, 20:23

Prewriting, Prewriting, Prewriting!
Really, it depends on what kind of writer you are. All writers are different and they go about things different ways. I've written two full-length novels, but I'm a planner. So, I'd take up months of time for prewriting and about a month, maybe two, on drafting the novel. Before I dive in, I make a basic sketch of what my novel will look like. The point of the novel, what my main idea is. Then, the first month I focus on the characters (I'm a bottom-up type of writer). I keep a journal of different people I want in my story: their names, what they look like, their quirks, their strengths, their flaws, who they hang out with, what their hobbies are, what their habits are. I flesh out each of my characters as much as I can. Next, I work on my plot and setting. I flesh out my plot--give it plot points and conflict. Now that I know my characters, I can make internal, social conflict between them, as well as the external conflict coming from the main plot to give the story depth. After my plot I can focus on setting. Making their homes realistic, and the park across the street as detailed as possible. Every place my characters encounter, I want the reader to see it! You may need a thesaurus for this part.

Now that I have my main elements done, I can start my drafting. Since I do such an in-depth prewrite, my drafting time is really short, which I love! I usually get my drafting done during NaNoWriMo (look it up if you don't know what it is; it's worth it).

I hope I helped!

Carla Hurst-Chandler · Post by **Carla Hurst-Chandler** » 24 May 2013, 04:06

I agree with Emberwood. And in the case of Non-Fiction: Research...Research...Research. Prewriting and outlines. I carry a small blank notebook to jot down ideas when the muse strikes. Pre-write...Re-write...Edit...Edit some more...Walk Away...Eat an entire small carton of Hagen Daz with a bag of chips...bitchandmoan to your best friend about how the manuscript is a disaster...re-write...edit...proof...breathe...!

CheekyAless · Post by **CheekyAless** » 24 May 2013, 04:50

Thank you emberwood & Carla Hurst-chandler for some good detailed tips & advice.
I am still trying to discover my way of writing at the moment ! And I do try to jot down ideas its just the piecing together and sitting down to pre-write etc. I would like to write a fictional book but thinking of something new that hasn't been done can be a tough one!

Carla Hurst-Chandler · Post by **Carla Hurst-Chandler** » 24 May 2013, 17:10

Oh honey...it's ALL been done. The trick is to do it YOUR WAY

Happy Writing!

emberwood · Post by **emberwood** » 24 May 2013, 17:58

That's exactly how the process is.

It's somewhat frustrating, but it really is worth it in the end when you have a completed novel. ^-^

I also second how everything's been done, you just have to take it your own way. That can be a lot of fun, too. There was an exercise that my creative writing teacher had us do where we take a cliched plot and twist it. Everybody had the same cliche, but wound up with completely different stories. It was an awesome exercise

CheekyAless · Post by **CheekyAless** » 25 May 2013, 08:01

Thank you again Carla Hurst-Chandler & emberwood!
I shall start some planning soon!!!

Your advice and help is amazingly helpful & supportive!

emberwood, This may sound silly but how do you start the exercise? Do I simply pick a plot from a book and twist it to how I want it? Or Is this supposed to be done in large groups to compare etc.

Drpinkrose1 · Post by **Drpinkrose1** » 02 Sep 2013, 12:50

Hi best way in my opinion is to research online what people need and what you are best at writing whatever you write about be creative and engaging with the readers.

-- 02 Sep 2013, 13:53 --

Best way to plan a book would be to see what you are best at and unlock your hidden potential. Then chose the content and chapters of your book. Make sure your content is unique and engaging so you can generate interest and revolutionise writing.

Zain · Post by **Zain** » 02 Sep 2013, 15:27

Honestly, it always come down to having an idea.
Then I usually notice two kinds of ideas; the ones that your fingers itch to write out immediately, and the ones you feel aren't quite ready yet. I often collect material for future projects while working on something. These aren't big details, often they are quite small, like an addition to a character's past, a shift in theme, finding names for characters.
When I get the feeling that a work is complete, that yes, it is time to write it "out", I make one big document in which everything I collected is summed up in a logical order - for me to know while writing the scenes, as well as every scene's "main goal". I don't go about researching much or planning out the setting. Often I keep it very simple, it's enough to know the point of time when a scene occurs, who's present and why that scene is essential to the story. Many details such as surroundings I develop when writing, then note them down so that I won't get confused later on. I call that my storyline, it's like a script but only consists essential information. That makes it easier for me not to lose sight of the story.

Enigma · Post by **Enigma** » 02 Sep 2013, 16:23

I always start with a conflict and work from there. Why did it happen? What happens next?

scuba_steves · Post by **scuba_steves** » 02 Sep 2013, 21:54

I usually find that the easiest way for me to START is to just start. Literally, start writing everything and anything you can about the book you're thinking of. While I'm not a fan of the Twilight series, it all started with the "sparkling on a mountaintop" scene, which Ms. Meyer dreamed. That's nearly mid-way through the book! Sometimes, the key to starting a book is to write the part that caught your attention in the first place. You can always fill in the before and after.

Good luck! The only easy part is when it's finished!

srivolco · Post by **srivolco** » 03 Sep 2013, 06:54

Well , i am not an expert as a matter of fact , even i have started writing my first book. The approach i took up is , i spent quite a lot of time developing my main plot , my protagonists , the dominant characters that would shape my story , their profiles, then i went into what pace i would take , the world that i want to create , the various terrains, cultures , backgrounds that i would incorporate. I guess before you actually get down to writing the first words of your first chapter there is a lot of background research and planing that needs to be done. You begin writing the book only when u have an idea of what each of the chapters in your book intend to achieve, where they begin and a rough idea of where they should end. Only with a outline of each chapter and the book on the whole would you have a scale to measure and judge the progress you make.

KMilliron · Post by **KMilliron** » 07 Sep 2013, 20:43

I get ideas at work, mostly. I just let my mind wonder and let my surroundings influence me. Or I sit at night and try and think of what would have to go down to get me scared or panicking. Get a lot of good horror ideas that way. I suppose it depends on what sort of writer you are, or what kind of book you're going for.

29Dillan20 · Post by **29Dillan20** » 08 Sep 2013, 23:12

Good thread, I'm glad I came across it. I have so many ideas but every time I sit down... I'll write a few hundred words and just get so lost and discouraged.

EGilbert · Post by **EGilbert** » 09 Sep 2013, 00:31

I personally just dive right into it and start writing. I get a feel for the tone, the diction, the characters, and then I plan it out. It usually involves heavy editing, but that's my favourite way to do things.