How do i go about it

Epicpriest

Hi there, i've had a "Vague" idea for a fantasy novel or series of novels for a few years now, about 4 years ago i wrote a about 2 thousand words, basically starting the story, and tonight i wrote lots of bullet pointed paragraphs about various parts of it, small plot parts and locations, character hints i've been thinking of etc.

Problems.

I have no clue about how to write a novel, i dont know how you prepare for it, and i'm not very good putting large groups of complex words together. but i do have a fairly good imagination.

The idea's i have seem to be like nothing i've ever read before, it's not really Tolkein'esque but it does have some of the rules used in all those types of books such as it being somewhat medevil etc

I have alot of idea's of were i want the story to go but i don't know how to link all of the parts and idea's if you know what i mean.

The idea's i have are biblical in scale, and i've got so many idea's and visions for it i don't know where to go from this little start part i've made, and i kind of don't have a full plot thought through.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

OctavarIan

Just write. Worry about the finer details after you've finished a first draft. Just take your characters and see where your pen/keyboard takes them. Your ideas will meld themselves in and you'll discover amazing things along the way.

No-one is ever happy with their first or even second draft, no matter how well they've planned everything out. The more you plan and outline the more rigid and devoid of spark the story will become, until writing it feels like you're just rehashing the same old ideas. There is a point where you just have to sit down, shut your inner voice up and write it.

This is just how I like to do things, obviously everyone likes to do things their own way. However I think the best way for you to learn to link your parts and ideas is to start writing.

Aelfric

I'd definitely echo those sentiments. I just put pen to paper and let it flow. I have no control over what comes out, and sometimes even I am surprised by some of the events that happen. I'm about a third of the way through my first novel (126 or so pages), and I'm only following a vague plot idea. I have 3 other books started, all different genres.

I think you've already made a good start with bullet-pointing your ideas - characters, places, etc. It's a great starting point, and the more you do it, the more the story will slowly weave itself together.

Everyone is different in the way they create their writing, be it start to finish, bits & pieces stitched together, or what have you.

Try this free software, developed by a published author - http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter4.html

I bought 2 commercial novel writing software packages, and haven't used either. Don't try too hard to write either. Pick a time or place or situation that suits you best. I write technical reports for a living, but when I travel by bus, train or plane, I work on my book.

Hope this helps. Happy writing

Stuart

Epicpriest

thanks for the advice, but do i write on paper, or in word on my laptop? i just grabbed a copy of Lord of the rings and read the first few chapters, he delves quite deeply in to lore etc, and surroundings etc, i'm finding it quite difficult to explain what i have in my mind. should i go on making things up in detail as i'm writing, or do a 50 page summary of whats going to happen and then build on that?

the story itself and the idea behind it could almost be on a starwars scale...

also, i've gotten the first small part together i'm just having problems with the transition from the usual "small place" start and moving across to the bigger places.

I iwsh i had some help...

claire h

There are no set-in-stone rules - whatever works for you, do it.

If you find that outlining a lot helps you (it probably is helpful when dealing with complicated plots and backstories and universes), then do that. If you find it makes it harder for you to write, because you feel constrained or bored after having outlined, then just write.

If it helps you to write on paper - some people find it easier than typing, makes them feel more creative (especially if they associate computers with work-type stuff), then go for it.

Be prepared for it to be messy, for it not always to go as well as you would like, for rewrites to be necessary, for it to take a lot of time, to write things that will end up being just for yourself and not needed in the final version (e.g. backstory and setting the scene - if it helps you to write out pages of description then go for it, but you may well end up trimming it down later because it slows down the actual story).

And good luck!

Aelfric

I write initially on paper too, and I find that I revise the text as I'm typing it up, because I'm reading it over as I go. That's probably why I've not used those computer programs I bought!

Tolkien was a lecturer in History and Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University (I think), so he's not a great example to follow, as he based a lot of LOTR on the Anglo-Saxon, Viking and other medieval sagas, such as Beowulf, etc. They were as common knowledge to him as Star Wars is to our generation.

Just let your pen flow, and do your best to make sense of it. One thing I did do was to create a timeline, and I now put the date on the top of each page. By doing this, I realised that several events were out of sequence, but now that they conform to the timeline, it all makes sense again. It's also easier when you know what happened and when, so that you don't make mistakes when referring back to an event that happened, say 2 days ago, only to find that today is Thurdsay and your '2 days ago' was last Sunday. Or in my case, 4 days in the future!

Epicpriest

ok brilliant. it's not a universe thing it's based on land :P

I'd maybe like to share the idea with someone who has an interest in fantasy fiction, possibly Robert Jordan or Tolkien'ish influences.

As i've not read maybe fantasy books of that sort, i'm sure my ideas should be exciting and original, i just dont see myself having a hope of putting the story together alone if you know what i mean.

i think what i'll do today is try to link the starting part to the next bug part i've devised. ill let you know how it goes.

by the way, if i where to share what i have with someone at this stage, how can i ensure that my ideas won't be used?

Aelfric

Don't share your ideas publicly would be my first suggestion. My fave fantasy series has been the Dragonlance novels, which I continue to read. I also read a few of David Eddings and some Raymond Feist (The Magician, etc) and Anne McCaffrey. I don't think I've read any of Jordan's stuff, but I believe its rather good. I've also read a lot of medieval books (fact and fiction) and been involved in the reenactment scene in the UK, so if you want to bounce ideas off me, or get advice on what is feasible and what's not, then I'd be happy to help. I've no interest in writing fantasy myself, so your secret is safe with me!

Stuart

mell61

http://www.writerscentre.ie/centre/courses/evening.htm
I noticed that there is a SciFi/Fantasy course running from Oct onwards.
I haven't taken any of these courses, but they have been recommended to me as being good ones in Dublin area.
I've been checking out a few writers blogs and basically their advise is 'writers write', you can revise, review afterwards, but start with pen to paper/finger to keyboard!
Check out also the Inkwell courses, I did one of their 1 day courses earlier this year for the genre I'm interested in and found it extremely interesting and informative. they are running a workshop in early SEpt on 'start writing'.
http://www.inkwellwriters.ie/html/workshops.html

Epicpriest

Excellent, cheers for the advice. I'm in Waterford so not really an option in Dublin.

Gonna be moving in a few days so ill look into progressing this story more after i move in! I'm soo excited about it! i just hope that my pen to paper skills are good enough to make my vision come off the page, i'm sure it won't but worth a try lol

I'm sure some people will be interested in reading it anyway. Even if 1 person reads it and thinks it's ok it'll make me happy!

Should be finished in a few years lol