idea for a book(s) for years

Hotman

hi,

i started writing a book about 10 years ago. and i have no idea how to actually write something on the scale of what its about.

the idea is solid, although it offers lots of room for expansion etc. and im worried how long it will take me to write it.

so i think i need some help! its fantasy and set in an alternate world like alot of those stories but there's some differences in the setting.

help meee!

EileenG

Just start writing.

Pick out your main characters, make sure you know what they want, why they want it and what's stopping them getting it, and begin your story where things start to go wrong for them. Make sure that things go really wrong!

It's almost certain that you'll find that while you know all sorts of things about the history and geography and culture of your fantasy world, you don't need to mention them in order to tell the story. The bits that are essential can be woven in as part of the action.

Get a big whiteboard or sheet of paper, and write down the names of your main characters, a rough plot, the scenes you absolutely have to have, any ideas you have floating that you don't quite know how to handle, and start linking things up.

If you are plotting one of those huge sprawling sagas that span generations, then concentrate on your main character, their immediate problem, and plot until this problem is resolved. Then stop.

Let the next generation look after itself, perhaps in a new novel.

Set yourself a target of something like 1000 words a day, and make yourself write it. Yes, some days it will be rubbish, but that's what rewrites are for. But it's the only way to get a book written. If you wait for inspiration, you'll never write it.

CBradbury

I know how you feel, I have also yet to start my novel but I'm going to explode with anxiety if I don't get writing.

Once you start it becomes a lot easier. I've been hiding behind my short stories and poems for now.

bigsmokewriting

Yep, just start writing.

It might also be helpful to be sure you really know the world before you start - http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions/ - even though you almost certainly won't include everything about how the world works in the story, it'll mean that if you're ever stuck, you can return to what you know about the world and figure out ways that the setting can contribute to the story.

Some people find this a useful approach as well (it's best if you tweak it to suit yourself!) http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

Good luck!