Wish to write a book

tonyheaney

I would like to write a book I’m heading towards Strongbow for some reason and the 11th 12th century not sure if I am in the rite please but wandered if anyone could help direct me in to the right way what to do and so on.

EileenG

It's your book, you have to decide what to write. We can offer support, and some technical help, but you're the author.

All I can say is that most people who write find that the most important thing is to write regularly. Pick a word count, perhaps 1000 words, or a time and commit to writing that much every day. Don't wait for inspiration to strike. It rarely does strike except when you are sitting at your keyboard.

Then get on with it. Remember that great books are not written, they are re-written. Don't worry about getting it perfect in your first draft, just concentrate on getting words down on paper.

tonyheaney

hi I just want to say thank you im new here and don't wish to offend anyone on my first try, i don't know i feel the urge to write a book like an itch but i keep stalling but i know i need to. thanks again.

one thing im afraid of is my story what ever it will be may end up like a rant but i really want to write a story get it published and i feel like i am in a room with no light or exit.

i-digress

I know, it is hard. And it's hard to motivate yourself to write when you don't quite know if your dream of being published is ridiculous or possible.

But a publisher will only be interested in a finished book. And Eileen is right, you have to get a rough idea of what you want to write and them commit to a daily word count. It's the only way. I finished a young adult novel, and am in the middle of writing another book. I don't feel like writing today, but I will. My YA novel has been edited at least five times, and is currently being read by others so they can identify more areas for editing.

Have you started writing, or planning an outline?

tonyheaney

thanks for the advice, well so far I have an idea of where I want to go or at least what century I’m looking at the 11th and 12th century Ireland England, and with particular interest in the Strongbow character of the era. I think i will focus on writing a story on that...
However I have only recently seen something called the strongbow saga and it seems that someone else has had the same idea so I will have to try a different approach or give up, not one for the latter.

As for planning an outline, as I’m new to all this and I’m not too sure how I should go about it.

i-digress

I don't know much about Strongbow, but every idea has been done before really. It's how you write it that counts.

Look at the books already published about Strongbow, and decide how yours is going to be different. The internet is your friend in this regard, there are lots of sites that can help you research how marketable your book would be. You'll also need to decide on your audience. Is it for children, teenagers, or adults? Is it going to be historically accurate, or fictional?

Your outline can be as brief or as detailed as you like. It's just a rough outline of your plot, and you can change it as you write.

Then you just need to sit down and start writing the thing.

EileenG

Just about every historical figure has already been written about. As long as you have a fresh approach, then don't worry about it. If you are in danger of ranting, then you obviously have strong ideas about your subject, which could result in a strong book.

Map out roughly where your story is going and who are the main characters. Try to keep the focus pretty tightly on the main characters. Each novel has its own ideal number of characters, but it's a lot easier to sell one with five main characters than 30. If you don't know the time, then do a bit of general research first, but keep the detailed research for after you've written your first draft, otherwise it can get in the way of the story.

And get writing.

rickyjohn12

I wish to write a book on SEO with practical work.

tonyheaney

rickyjohn12 wrote: »

I wish to write a book on SEO with practical work.

what is SEO?? and please explain your question more clearly

pavb2

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

Hi OP I'm also attempting a historical fiction novel and found the above snowflake method really good. I've also covered a wall using decoraters lining paper with characters, settings, maps & research pointers.

I've also downloaded a free program ywriter which lets you organise characters scenes etc but haven't got into this yet.

As people say you have to get something down first, for me the danger is concentrating too much on the method but I think accuracy in historical fiction is important so balance is the key.

Let me know if you find the snowflake idea helpful

Good luck

Almost forgot, read an article by an author at the week end who swears by super glue in your wireless card and internet connection.

Antilles

Randy Ingermansson (he what created the snowflake method) also has a regular free email newsletter that's worth subscribing to. He takes reader questions too, which is very helpful.

cobsie

pavb2 wrote: »

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

I'm also attempting a historical fiction novel and found the above snowflake method really good.

Thanks for the link - the snowflake article is really good. It's especially helpful to practice summarizing it in one sentence. That really gets to the essence of the story. It's sort of the 'elevator pitch' they talk about in business (if you found yourself in an elevator with a CEO and had from the ground floor to the penthouse to sell your business plan...)

Cheers

desolate sun

Hi Tony

Have a look at http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Nanowrimo is an internet site where participants write a 50k manuscript in the month of November. Of course you can write more, depending on how much you write, but 50k is an achievable amount for a beginner (works out at 1667 words a day).

Be aware at the end of the month, you will have a 1st draft, NOT a finished manuscript. It will take many months/years to shine that baby up, ready for publishing. But it is a brilliant site and community to get your bum in gear and actually get a manuscript finished.

I have been writing for years and have always wanted to write a book. I started many novels only for them to be left abandoned. Nanowrimo is the only thing that has worked for me. I've done it for the past two years and now have 2 (unpublished) books under my belt. My second book has been polished up and I am in the process of querying agents at the moment.

Orion101

Hello Tony,

Have you written much so far? If the answer is no, you might want to consider writing some short stories first to help get the hang of it.

If you have some experience and if you're looking to work on a historical figure, research is going to be a big thing. You should try to get your hands on as much relevant material as possible (books, documentaries, lectures, forums, and perhaps films). Pick out interesting parts of your character's life that you want to write about and take notes. Then break the material down and start writing. Hope this is of some help!

i-digress

I second the Nanowrimo thing. I took part last year, I didn't get the novel completed but I've completed it since. I'm now getting ready to submit to agents. It really motivates you to write regularly.