How to write a book

Paperalki+ · Post by **Paperalki+** » 12 Jun 2016, 23:49

Step 1: Buy a notebook. Or several. While you may or may not wish to type your novel directly into a computer, it's not always possible to be near one when inspiration strikes. Thus, it's best to have good old-fashioned pencil and paper no matter where you are. Moreover, many writers swear by the connection from mind to hand to pen on paper, so at least give it a go before dismissing this as an option to aid your writing experience

Step 2: Put your thinking cap on. Now that you have your notebook, it's time to squash the traditional bugaboo of all writers: that empty first page. Use those first pages to write out ideas for stories. Once you feel you've written down enough ideas, read over them twice. Then, take your ideas to someone else to get feedback. Decide which idea to go with and make sure it doesn't sound like anything recently published. Then, wait a few days, read over the idea again to be sure, and move onto the next step

Step 3: Create the overview of your story; including an outline, notes about characters (possible names, descriptions, "backstories" etc.), places - all the little things that go into a larger story. There are several advantages to this overview approach, including:

-It will give you new ideas for your story as you describe different parts of it (write those down!)
-Nothing goes to waste. You may describe a character, for instance, who never appears in the story directly but who influences another character.

Step 4: Set up a table or chart and write down all the characters that have a special meaning in the story. Use your notebook to write a lot about them.—Even create a backstory for a couple of them. This helps you visualize and think about them more and even learn about your own character more.

-You always have something to refer to when you run out of immediate ideas.

Step 5: Create your outline. An outline will help you define the arc of your narrative—the beginning, development of plot and characters, the setting up of all the events leading to the big conflict or climax, and then the resolution and ending.

Step 6: Edit mercilessly. If you find your plot goes nowhere, and nothing you can do will help it—back up to where it last made sense, and try something else. Your story is not required to do anything you tell it to do in the outline. Sometimes, the story has other ideas where it wants to go. Wherever you are in the process, the muse may beckon you elsewhere. Follow her—this is part of the joy of writing.

Step 7: Write out the name of each chapter for your book and decide what you're going to put into it, that way you'll always know where you're going with the story. Writing about your characters at the start, too, can be helpful down the road.

Step 8: Know the elements of a good novel. If you want to be a successful writer, think twice about taking creative writing as a course in college (unless you've already done so); instead, take English Literature. You have to know how to read with discernment and a critical eye before you write anything. Sentence structure, character distinction, plot formation, and character personality development all fall into place if you know how to read critically before you write.

Step 9: Write out your plot. This will give you a starting point to anchor your story. Nothing fancy, just a general idea of what goes on. Halfway through the book, look over the original plot you wrote down. It'll be amazing how your perception of your book may have changed. You can change your book to match the original plot or scrap the plot and go with what you've written. You could even integrate and mix the two––whatever you want. Remember this is your book!

Step 10: Start writing! This is the best part. If you're having trouble starting, skip to the conflict of the story, and go from there. Once you feel comfortable with your writing, you can add the setting. You'll probably change loads of things in the story, because the great thing about writing a book is you can let your imagination run wild. The only thing you have to remember is that you have to enjoy the process, or your book will probably end up in a cylindrical metal container flecked with deep brick-colored oxidation and peeling shards of turquoise latex pigment (namely, a rusty old trash bin).

Step 11: Remember that your notebook should only be used for planning! It is best to type up your story so you can create multiple copies of it, easily remove mistakes, and pitch it to publishers.

That's it for now friends! Bye!

Ffinlo · Post by **Ffinlo** » 13 Jun 2016, 13:23

Thanks for this, I've always thought of starting writing but in honesty never know how to go about it. This has helped, maybe soon I'll get on it.

Paperalki+ · Post by **Paperalki+** » 13 Jun 2016, 18:27

Ffinlo wrote:Thanks for this, I've always thought of starting writing but in honesty never know how to go about it. This has helped, maybe soon I'll get on it.

Yeah no problem. Glad it helped!

tjacquez · Post by **tjacquez** » 15 Jun 2016, 20:30

I really like how you broke down the preparation process that can be done before beginning to write a book. When I first started writing I started out as a pantser because I wasn't sure where to start. Now I have started to prep my writing but still have been unsure of how. My plan is a five book series that focuses on 5 main characters (one for each book) whose stories intermingle. I think that prepping the way that you outlined will allow me to clearly define the structure of each story. Thank you!