My Book

super103

Hello Folks,

Writing a book is something I've been planning on doing for a while now and hense was included on my list of New Years Resolutions.

I dont really care if the book never gets published. If it does this will be an added bonus. I would like to rise to the challenge complete a book, title it and put my name to it. At least then I know I've tried and will have something to show for my efforts!

Does anybody have any advice on creating writing, web sites, forums, courses etc..... all suggestion would be greatly apprecitate!

BlueSpiral

I did a great course on screen and creative writing, and have had advice from family who are writers (some famous).

1) Dear Lord, PLAN PLAN PLAN! It can take from a few hours to years to make a plan for a book, just make sure your happy with what you want to do.
2) Creat the storyline, not the characters first.
3)Take a journal and write in of everyday life. It may seem boring to you, but it's just the norm to yourself, but not to readers who live elsewhere.
4) Take something you can relate to or have experienced, if you write about something that has happened you, you're more likely to write about it more descriptively and accurately. Universal theme is essential.

That right now is all I can think of, but hope I helped.
writing a story/novel is 90% planning it and 10% writing and rewriting it!

lu22

where are you living?

JesusWlksDisWay

The Times did a great article in the living section last Sunday.

"A novel in a year". It gives tips for a real writer on how to write a novel in a year, taking you through exercises each week and giving practical advice. It's realistic, admitting a novel will take more than a year, and gives some great tips. The irish addition is a few weeks behind the english. If you go to www.dailytelegraph.co.uk and type in "novel in a year" in the search box, then follow the links you're there. Started doing it myself... pretty good so far, interesting if nothing else.

Hope this is helpful.

super103

Thanks for all your useful suggestions!

fade2black

I wrote one when I was 19 and by far the best advice I can give ya is to make it interesting to YOU. Have a basic map of everything that's going to happen from start to finish and write these on a bit of paper. That way you shouldn't hit a wall with regards where the plot is going etc.

Also, before you write the thing make sure you have all your main characters in your head. Write a back story for them, make them into real people, people you would care about. If you care about your characters and you care about your plot then you'lll never get bored of writing and in fact you'll look forward to coming home from work or whatever and getting stuck into your next chapter.

One other little quirky idea...buy some plant seeds and bury them in the soil on the same day that you write the words CHAPTER ONE. The plant will grow with the book and give you some company/inspiration and also an idea of how far you're going with the book.

Good luck with it.

JesusWlksDisWay

fair play, what was the book you wrote? Did you get it published?

fade2black

To be honest I never tried to get it published. It was only about 70, 000 words and it was okay actually, bot not publishable material. I was only 19 and the experience was helpful anyway.