How to START to write a story

larryfinch · Post by **larryfinch** » 23 Sep 2012, 06:20

Here's a quick guide to get you started:
1. Read
2. Get inspired
3. Conceptualize your story
4. Map out the scenes
5. Choose your point of view
6. Create your characters
7. Have a good introduction
8. Build up a great plot
9. Show don't tell
10. Use active verbs
11. Use dialogue every now and then
12. Keep references handy
13. Conclude briefly
14. Edit and revise
15. Let others proof read

Phoenix98 · Post by **Phoenix98** » 27 Sep 2012, 20:37

Although I have thought about writing, "pen-to-paper" is limited (almost totally) to term papers. Hence, I do not speak from experience.

There is an old proverb that says "We live our lives as a tale that is told." I wonder if that means that when the tale actually is told, it reminisces, ruminates, recaps, and regurgitates. We, after all, live that way. Every thought, action, experience, and word has an interconnection to the whole of our personal history.

When Dickens began with "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times," he was encapsulating the whole of what would follow. There was a germ of thought that developed, then exploded into the whole.

We probably don't know the succinct germ of our own lives until we've lived most of it. Nonetheless, we live our lives fleshing it out.

So, even as a completely inexperienced writer of tales, it seems to me that one would have to develop the tale and create the major interplay of events before being able to start the story.

Belchman · Post by **Belchman** » 19 Nov 2012, 13:54

Someone once said that the best way to know if you would like a book is to turn to a random page and read it. If you like what you see then start from the beginning.

Do that with your writing. Start writing the last scene, or the scene before the last one. Write it all, then write the fourth scene. Then another one, and another one. No one ever said you need to write it all the way it happens. If the beginning is causing you trouble, then don't start with the beginning. Start with the end.

John Irving said that he writes the last line first, after he has thought about everything that is going to happen in the book.

Good luck kid.

camilegordon · Post by **camilegordon** » 26 Nov 2012, 08:35

TimeKeeperApprentice wrote:Even though I'm only twelve years old I am already setting a goal to be a writer{Long way to go Hehehe} I've tried to write short stories but I'm never satisfied with them. I thought of a plot a great one too and try to write but I don't know how to START! I have no idea how to make a great opening sentence!!! Then when I do have one and start to write it I change my MIND and throw out my entire page![I'm also embarrassed if my family found out I was making stories, I'm scared that they'll criticize me and bring me down and I destroy my work!] That's why I write on paper instead of the computer. So if you would help out a newbie, a starter, a rookie, I would be happy to see what you think.

we were aleays taught to have a pre worked out begining, mi9ddle and an end . . . but nobody ever mentioned having a point to your story ! think what is it i am trying to relay umtimatly . . . I recommend putting some focus on this too. once you've dont this then get in the process of finding a great opening sentance

liliaceous · Post by **liliaceous** » 09 Dec 2012, 13:32

Personally I find starting the hardest bit, but I think you really just need to get something down on paper and write your story. Then you can go back and make it more exciting and focus on exactly what characters traits or setting you think is most impactful to open with... good luck!

ShoppingMonk · Post by **ShoppingMonk** » 21 Dec 2012, 07:49

Hiii
depends on your book like fiction,comic etc...once decide after that strat reading related books of that then you can get the idea how to strat your own book

maz007 · Post by **maz007** » 03 Feb 2013, 09:17

Well , I would like to read a story in which the start has an introduction, some information about what is basically a story about and it should be interesting.

-- 03 Feb 2013, 09:18 --

Also, the before the start i would like to see a little bit of author's info as well.

twinkleshine · Post by **twinkleshine** » 04 Feb 2013, 12:50

So glad you're tackling your dreams, TimeKeeper.

mhjames · Post by **mhjames** » 16 Feb 2013, 01:35

I admire you for setting such a great goal and starting on it now. I certainly understand what you mean about not knowing where to start. I have written 4 novels (working on a 5th) and many stories, and the first line I write never ends up being what I end up sticking with. The key to getting started (in my experience), is to just sit down and start writing. Even if it seems to be coming out wrong, you can work with it once you have a starting point. This is why you probably want to start typing them on the computer. It makes edits a lot easier (and edits are an inevitable part of writing).

It took me a long time to not be embarrassed to tell people that I write books. I felt a little silly about it, but when I finally started talking to people about it, they typically thought it was pretty cool.

Best of Luck! Just get started.

Kainchild · Post by **Kainchild** » 27 Feb 2013, 14:12

I prefer to use a computer for my stories. My bad penmanship would be terrible for me to have to read back.

Jupie · Post by **Jupie** » 22 Mar 2013, 08:56

I don't think you should ever feel embarrassed about writing books. It's such an amazing hobby to have! Unfortunately I've gotten out of the habit of writing myself and I'm really missing it. You just can't beat putting words on the page. Especially when they look right and you don't want to pull your hair out, which is something I usually find myself wanting to do!

zebdarlene30 · Post by **zebdarlene30** » 01 Apr 2013, 18:19

I have often thought of writing a childrens book. I have gone through an online company called Blurb and did write a childrens book and had it printed for my own use. It was about a little girl who wanted Santa to bring her friend some new boots for Christmas because his family didnt have the money for new ones. Writing has always interested me.

leelahope · Post by **leelahope** » 14 Nov 2013, 06:12

Hi for me in own opinion you should start in writing a story is you should start Collect your idea for your story and then Begin with basics of a short story i think thats all you can now start writing your story.

peachyreader · Post by **peachyreader** » 23 Nov 2013, 14:52

First, try not to be too hard on yourself. Writing is an intensely personal activity. Many writers begin at a very young age and write only for themselves. Many of us have written a multitude of various stories that never reach a conclusion. There are more untold or unfinished stories out there than any of us want to think about! The fact that you have some idea what you would like to accomplish at your age is wonderful and the most important thing is to write. Write about anything. It doesn't even have to make sense at first.

I'm assuming the reason you want to become an author in the first place is because you're already a reader and you have found yourself so drawn into the world created in particular books that you think to yourself, "I'd like to create something like that! And I think I can!" Those books are probably the ones you want to focus on. Focus on the way the author sets up their beginning, middle, and ending for clues on how to approach writing your own story. Focus on what it is about those particular books that you connect with. Is it the setting? Is it the voice of the characters? Try to develop your own voice as an author. If the beginning of the story is what you want to focus on right now, perhaps you could write a new beginning for this story you feel you have in you...every single day! I know that might sound odd, but if you write ten, twenty, even two hundred beginnings to this one story, chances are, at some point one of those beginnings is going to feel absolutely right. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!

kim-darrell · Post by **kim-darrell** » 25 Nov 2013, 15:43

This a very helpful thread. I have had some thoughts on writing a book for some time now but because I couldn't think of how to get started, I never did. Now after this helpful advice about writing the middle or the ending first, I think I can start to develop my dream. Again thank you to all for all you wonderful suggestions and tips.