How do I start writing a novel?

jobsfor14 · Post by **jobsfor14** » 19 Oct 2008, 09:36

I'm really new at writing, but I'm educated in it and I know how to write and everything, but I just don't know where to start. I want to write a teen romance novel, and I usually start with an outline, but a small one at that, then a more detailed outline, a rough draft, then the final draft. But that was more of an essay or a short story with an assigned topic, so I really don't know where to begin. Should I use those methods, other methods, or should I just dive right in and start writing?

Syrcco44 · Post by **Syrcco44** » 19 Oct 2008, 12:31

For me... well, wow. I get ideas all the time. What I do is write them ALL down [no matter how lame they may or may not be] and try to work it into something better. Often times I find myself splicing ideas together.

I've had to wait a while, though -- with some novels. I mean I have a great idea but a frame or light outline doesn't come to me right away. For example I had this novel idea for a year and all I had was a few events and the very very bare bones so I couldn't do much with it. I had no idea how it would start, the flow of the plot, the main core of the conflict or anything. But a few weeks ago I finally got something -- it was random too. I just listened to this sound clip of bells [yeah random and weird right?] and suddenly the frame for the beginning started to fill out. So finally I have some where to start.

Outlines are nice to have -- they give you a plan, a map or compass to your writing -- a kind of direction. Planning out things can be quite rewarding especailly if you want your novel to be intricate and you want to connect things in the novel to each other -- that will take some planning ahead. But don't hound yourself if you don't get every detail, every chapter, every character, etc down -- there will be things that just suddenly pop up while you are writing and you have to go with it.... so don't be really really strict with your outline -- write with an open mind -- otherwise how will the other ideas which may be amazing get in?

As of now however I am at a block with my novels. I don't know what to do or where it should go... I realized that I stuck too much to an oultine so I thought -- just because I don't know where I'm going, or I don't have any idea doesn't mean I can't continue. So I've started to just dive in and write whatever came to mind. Which in a way is very freeing -- you don't have to control your writing too much and you just let it go and let the characters take you where it should go.

Remember that your first draft won't be the best so if there's weirdness or cheesiness or annoyingness in there just write it out [yes it's painful when it doesn't come out right but that's how it is sometimes] and keep going. You can always go back and change it, make it better, move it around, take it out or revise it profusely. It's not written in stone. Always remember that. [Also remember -- just because you love something doesn't mean you should keep it -- meaning if you can take something out that we wouldn't miss then do it. As a reader it's hard to read something with meaningless tangents all over the place... ]

As for you... keep planning, keep outline. Maybe you should start writing and jump around -- you don't have to write it in order. Get to know your characters and it will fill out from there as well. I find that I'm always outlining and always writing at the same time. Sometimes I need to write before I outline so I can say, "ohhh.... now I know what happens next... excellent--" and then I outline it a little and then keep thundering away at the keyboard.

Remember also to be free with yourself and experiment. If one way doesn't work for you then try another. Join a writers forum and there you can get help with plot troubles, etc. [I recommend The Writer's Draft -- www.thewritersdraft.englishboards.com -- it's amazing there ... awesome group of people as well ... we'll help you out -- and more in depth as well].

Wups sorry for the long response. What can I say? I am a writer.

Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP!!

ceejay77 · Post by **ceejay77** » 20 Nov 2008, 19:48

I find getting the story started one of the hardest parts of writing when I am through that I can get it rolling

Syrcco44 · Post by **Syrcco44** » 21 Nov 2008, 15:04

Yes. It is very hard to get over that mountain. Sometimes you just have to skip it and come back... which is what I have done with my most recent novel -- the beginning was too much of a pain to get through and I was ready for the plot to really pick up... so I skipped to those scenes when it did.

Some other times you just simply don't know how it should start. Whatever works, y'know? Writing everything in order can be a bit dreary at times.

eva6206213 · Post by **eva6206213** » 23 Nov 2008, 22:48

Thank you for your info~

andr70 · Post by **andr70** » 01 Dec 2008, 08:52

First, you must have a good idea, much time and a good mind.

sharon.gmc · Post by **sharon.gmc** » 07 Jan 2009, 01:27

You can learn how to write a novel by reading a lot of novels.

blue_doona32 · Post by **blue_doona32** » 16 Jan 2009, 23:20

Most of the time it starts with a good idea or an image that sticks in your mind. I think I have two "novels" going and I started one with an image of a woman driving this car really fast on the freeway... you know what it evolved to? A mob story. yeah, i was shocked. the other came from a dream I had. That's a way to start a story... but I have wierd dreams, so it still might be hard for you to come up with a story that way... :/

Sometimes its harder to continue and expand your story than it is to start one. I'm seriously having that problem

can someone help?

Vixen · Post by **Vixen** » 13 Apr 2009, 06:24

I know this'll sound a bit weird, not to mention hard to get your head around.

But i find that i just need to put pen to paper and write. even if it has nothing to do with your story you can go back and tweek it later after you know how things are going to go

dragoncub · Post by **dragoncub** » 07 May 2009, 00:26

jobsfor14 wrote:I'm really new at writing, but I'm educated in it and I know how to write and everything, but I just don't know where to start. I want to write a teen romance novel, and I usually start with an outline, but a small one at that, then a more detailed outline, a rough draft, then the final draft. But that was more of an essay or a short story with an assigned topic, so I really don't know where to begin. Should I use those methods, other methods, or should I just dive right in and start writing?

You must read following article. Its very useful...

http://www.successwithauctions.com/Ever ... riting.php

lea454 · Post by **lea454** » 07 May 2009, 02:08

When you begin a novel, rather than thinking you must write for,write your first draft in longhand, stay away from the phone, Internet, and e-mails until you have written for the day,when you start a novel, do not worry about having a great story.

andr70 · Post by **andr70** » 17 Jul 2009, 07:09

It's always difficult to start, but when you get some inspiration, your imagination starts working and everything gets its place

bob1974 · Post by **bob1974** » 17 Aug 2009, 23:02

one word, then one sentence, then one page and so on till you have that novel. take your time with it, i like to sit down and think of some of the things I am very interested with. I daydream about things now and then and somewhere along the line a spark forms and i begin to write it down, very abstract at first then just build upon that ironing out the pieces as I go. don't rush it but do enjoy the experience.