How to write a book

[Mr H]

So Ive had an idea for a book for ages. And the conclusion as just come to me, so it's time for me to get writing!

 

Thing is, I have never written a book before and don't know where to start!

 

I have the general story and different acts in my head. But I'm not sure what is the best methodology if any to use when writing a book.

 

The temptation is just to start at the begginnig and get writing.

 

Just wondering from anyone who has written a book, how they organised writing it, what methodology they used found helpful?

 

Should mention this is a ficional book, so requires settings, characters etc

 

Thank you

Edited November 16, 2022 by Mr H

[webtrekker]

If it's anything to do with 'the vaccines are safe & effective' then you need to begin your book with 'Once Upon A Time ...'

 

Joking aside though, are you planning on publishing your book? Maybe first produce it in ebook format and publish the first chapter for free with a link to where they can buy the full book.

 

 

 

[Mr H]

50 minutes ago, webtrekker said:

If it's anything to do with 'the vaccines are safe & effective' then you need to begin your book with 'Once Upon A Time ...'

 

Joking aside though, are you planning on publishing your book? Maybe first produce it in ebook format and publish the first chapter for free with a link to where they can buy the full book.

 

 

 

He hee, nothing to do with vaccines.

 

Yes I do plan to publish. Thanks I will try that.

 

At the moment I am more focused on whether there is a "formula" or methodology that writers have when approaching writing? Or whether just to get on and write it?

[gulshan212]

Well if you want to write a book then you need to follow below steps. I also like reading books.

 

1. Begin the creative cycle with major areas of strength for a thought.
2. For research, read books by other authors.

3. Outline the story in detail.

4. Determine the first sentence of your book.

5. Draft the first version.

6. For direction establish word count targets.

7. Create a schedule by holding writing sessions.

8. Find a good place to write.

9. Edit the manuscript Put your book out there for readers to buy.

 

Thanks

 

[Grumpy Owl]

On 11/16/2022 at 3:56 PM, Mr H said:

So Ive had an idea for a book for ages. And the conclusion as just come to me, so it's time for me to get writing!

 

Thing is, I have never written a book before and don't know where to start!

 

I have the general story and different acts in my head. But I'm not sure what is the best methodology if any to use when writing a book.

 

The temptation is just to start at the begginnig and get writing.

 

Just wondering from anyone who has written a book, how they organised writing it, what methodology they used found helpful?

 

Should mention this is a ficional book, so requires settings, characters etc

 

Thank you

 

A few years ago now, probably around the early 2010s, I suddenly felt inspired to start writing a book, I started having ideas come into my head about a plotline and story, but like yourself I didn't really know the best way to articulate my thoughts and ideas.

 

I had an idea of how the first chapter of the book would pan out, it would be more like a prelude or prequel if anything, so I started writing one afternoon. I thought it would be a good idea to just 'write' as I would imagine reading this book for myself.

 

I can't remember the exact details now, but there was a general overview that would have entailed the book being in two parts - the first part set in 2020 where alien invaders had taken over the Earth and were keeping the population imprisoned. The 'prelude' of the novel explained how the population of Venus tried to escape from their planet as it's atmosphere became uninhabitable, but one of their ships ended up crashing on the neighbouring Earth, thousands of years ago of course.

 

The second part of the book, set in the 2050s, would detail how some of the remaining Venusian survivors had been able to venture back and then retake Earth from its invaders, a load of stuff about how humans originated not from Earth but from Venus, and then a load of 'happy ever after stuff' after humans took their place in the galaxy.

 

It was admittedly all very ambitious as a concept, and I didn't really understand where or why the inspiration came to me.

 

All I ended up writing was the first chapter, and then somehow I lost my 'mojo' and the inspiration drifted away from me. I think the concept still remained somewhere in my head, but I just became focused on other things instead.

 

Anyway, as 2020 drew closer, any idea of me writing a novel set in a 'future' 2020 just started to dwindle.

 

Then I started reading David Icke books, and of course, 2020 'happened' in real life...

[screamingeagle]

1 hour ago, Grumpy Owl said:

I didn't really know the best way to articulate my thoughts and ideas.

NHF but George Carling said our thoughts are only worth as our language(vocabular)...because we think in language(that's the real reason behind censorship if you ask me)

 

reading a dictionary can help( no joking)

[Name444]

You really just need to write, and endure the inevitable self-doubt that comes with it. Even more important is to eliminate the distractions that are getting in the way of writing. You really have to get rid of your phone and internet during your writing time, and it's been my experience (as author of two books) that it's not enough to choose not to use them, but you have to put all your distractions in a place where using them is impossible. For that I would advise a K-safe. Check for them on Amazon. They are little boxes you can put your vices in, and set a timer from between 10 minutes up to 10 days. Outside of smashing the box with a hammer, there is no way of opening them. Locking away your vice rather than choosing not to use them (knowing that you could at any time) will eliminate the mental struggle that comes with using just willpower to just avoid a distraction. Once your distractions are out of the way, you will find yourself writing rather than asking the internet how to write.

[alexa]

3 hours ago, Name444 said:

You really just need to write, and endure the inevitable self-doubt that comes with it. Even more important is to eliminate the distractions that are getting in the way of writing. You really have to get rid of your phone and internet during your writing time, and it's been my experience (as author of two books) that it's not enough to choose not to use them, but you have to put all your distractions in a place where using them is impossible. For that I would advise a K-safe. Check for them on Amazon. They are little boxes you can put your vices in, and set a timer from between 10 minutes up to 10 days. Outside of smashing the box with a hammer, there is no way of opening them. Locking away your vice rather than choosing not to use them (knowing that you could at any time) will eliminate the mental struggle that comes with using just willpower to just avoid a distraction. Once your distractions are out of the way, you will find yourself writing rather than asking the internet how to write.

 

Every chapter that starts with a question aimed at the reader, usually takes my interest.

[TiffyX]

Quote

Every chapter that starts with a question aimed at the reader, usually takes my interest.

I agree, but it's cool when the author also uses other methods and alternates them in turn.