Starting a new book...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cassidy A. Young on March 8, 2011 at 4:07am

I like to just do the dialogue, plot, and other ideas for the book.  Then I spend a lot of time adding scenery, thoughts, emotion, and everything else that makes a book enjoyable. :)

Permalink Reply by Susanna Lucas on March 8, 2011 at 4:19am

What I do, I write an outline. Then, start writing, but right now I'm stuck. I haven't got very far, but I'm working on 3 projects. Plus, my poetry.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on March 9, 2011 at 3:33am

On my second book, I started writing an outline but the story was coming to fast so I just went with it. I've been reading (The writer's handbook 1998) and it speaks about being suck. The author suggests to stop writing for a week. To take time during that time to just think about your story but not write. That way when you're ready to write the ideas will flow. I know you will be fine. The story is inside and it will come out.

Permalink Reply by Sally Pomeroy on March 9, 2011 at 6:43pm

I'm part of a writing team, which really works for me, because I have the need to write from the beginning, while my partner likes to write the highlights first. I usually start out writing the beginning, which is a highlight, and any other scene I'm excited about, he does the same. It helps me to have those highlights so that I can then fill in what's needed from the beginning through the end.  It's like having the important pieces of the puzzle, corners, edges, bits of sky...

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on March 10, 2011 at 5:23am

One thing I'd like to add, is, I read somewhere to leave every chapter hanging so the readere moves forward. I have incorporated that thinking in each chapter and also in each paragraph and in each sentence. I hate when a book starts strong and then dies out. I also perfer to start in the beginning, however; there are many times I find a chapter in the middle that will work better in the beginning. So don't be afraid to move things around.

Permalink Reply by Garry Edward Lewis on March 17, 2011 at 10:28am

I start with notes, what's the story going to be about, the whys, hows, wheres, and who's, then I visualize my characters, think of their individual personalities, then I think about how I'm going to bring each character to life in the story, how they'll be introduced into the story, their occupations, how they will fit into the flow of the story. Who will be main characters, which characters will be short lived, which ones will live on to return in the next book.  Then it just seems to all fall into place after that. I always try to leave an opening to where the next one will pick up where the other one left off.I like to bring back some of the main characters from last one, and also add new characters as well to the new one. I love to try to put a twist at the end to kind of throw the reader off a little. Just have fun with it. When I was little me and my brother would make up missions for our GI joes and then play them out. I do the same thing now only my missions for my characters are played out in my books. Sort of like returning to my childhood fantasies. It's fun to create isn't it? Or put your thoughts to paper. That to me is the thrill of writing.

Permalink Reply by Author Laura Johnson on May 2, 2011 at 3:11pm

I think I am a little weird, because I start from the beginning.  I think ahead, but I definitely stay in order.

Permalink Reply by Anna L. Walls on May 11, 2011 at 5:41am

I usually create a character and then decide what kind of goal he or she needs to accomplish. I like to say that it's usually some royal heir who needs to secure the throne but that's certainly not the only scenario I follow. I've gone into outer space a few times too. I do have one where I make a rather detailed outline, but I'm following D&D rules as close as possible and a timeline is necessary. Monthly encounters were rolled on a dice which at the very least generated a mention if not an entire sub-chapter.

Permalink Reply by Maryanne Widau on May 16, 2011 at 9:34pm

I'm actually doing what you are right now. Starting from the beginning wasn't working for me. The problem I'm having is filling in the blanks. I'm starting to feel like I need a partner. I'm working on the opener right now and can't decide on how to do it. I haven't even thought of a title yet. It's frustrating.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on May 19, 2011 at 7:41am

Maryanne, don't worry about the title, that will come. JUST WRITE!!! Sometimes I close my eyes and mind and just write. It's amazing what will flow. The other day, I took a nap and wroke up thinking about a great beginning. It was owesome. But I'm still working on another book, which is about done. Write whatever then re-arrange. I know you'll do fine... 

Permalink Reply by Anna L. Walls on May 19, 2011 at 10:58pm

I've had that happen. It's fun.

Permalink Reply by Maryanne Widau on May 20, 2011 at 3:38pm

I wished I could close my eyes and write...but I don't know the keyboard as well as I used to. I used to do so well in typing class in high school. I tried to brush up on my typing skills 10 years ago and it was a horrible experience, it's like my brain refused to learn. I may have to try again because I would love the freeness of not having to concentrate on the keyboard.

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