Writing a novel...

BlueAnnieFairy

I really wanna write a movel about a whole lot of stuff that's happened to me lately, not autobiographical or anything but just a novel containg the events that happened...

Only problem is i've never finished anything like this before and i don't really know where to begin...

Anyone got any suggestions i'm really stuck

EileenG

Get a huge big whiteboard.

Now write down the central idea (adventure/journey/mystery/whatever) and draw up a list of the main characters.

Put up a rough plot, from starting point to where you see it ending. It's a whiteboard, you can change as you go along. Any scenes you have in your head, put them up there as well. If you are sure of the sequence, you can link them, but it's not necessary.

Develop your characters. Name, age, address (be specific), family, education, what music they like, favourite food, things they are afraid off, physical description, accent, speech mannerisms. You may never mention any of this stuff in your story, but if you know it, they will always be consistent.

Now sit down and write. It doesn't have to be in sequence, the important thing is to get works on paper. Sit and write every day even if you know it's rubbish. Repeat until you have a finished first draft. Put it away for a while, then go back and start editing.

paoloiaquinta

start writing.....make a start..do it now........don't organise this that and the other....get some words down on paper, on your pc..do it now...stop thinking about it...once you start you'll feel better...once you wrtie some more you'll feel even better..then you can start looking at plots and character traits and how am i going to get from a to b...but make a start now and it will grow a life of its own...stop thinking about it...go...now.....

antonf

Holly Lisle has some good ideas (hollylisle.com). Ideas on how to structure characters, plotlines, etc. No need to sign up for her courses, her free stuff is good.

stressed out

Some great advice already given.

What has helped me is this site, Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month). It happens every November and you write a book (first draft) in a month. I did it in November and now have a 60,000 word document that I'm editing as we speak!

I've been wanting to write a book for years and sat down on many an occasion to do it, but I never finished. Nanowrimo makes you do it. You have loads of support. There's a very active message board on the site where you can ask every question under the sun. You can add 'friends' on the siite and these encourage you. Nano also arrange writeathons in your area where fellow Nanos meet up and write.
Highly recommended.

Also would like to add, that last year Nano ran a free offer with a book publishing company for all Nano members who won Nano (to win you need to write at least 50k words). If you took up the offer you got a free perfect bound proof copy of your book. I sent away for the book and it looked just like a published paperback BUT it had MY name on the front cover and MY words between the covers! Amazing!


Also if you don't already own it, get the book Becoming a writer, every writer should own it.

antonf

Just had a quick look at that NaNoWriMo site. Looks really interesting - might give it a go.

Thanks for posting.