Authors - how do you start writing a story?

[funkyrobot]

Hello authors of PH. I have a quick question. How on earth do you start writing a book?

I have quite a few ideas and have begun the process of analysing each separately (breaking them down into bullet points that will eventually be chapters and story segments, working on character development etc). However, I'm really struggling to start the process of writing the story up?

My problem seems to be the fact that I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to make everything I do perfect. Should I drop this attitude and just start writing something, even if it isn't great? I guess that is why authors do different drafts?

How did the published authors on here start the process?

Probably been asked a thousand times already. Thanks for your help though.

[irocfan]

don't start with "...it was a dark and stormy night..." lol


seriously though good luck

[Happy82]

Started writing myself last month so not finished a book yet, however I have an overall story arc written down and just following my characters on a journey to that final conclusion with events guiding that route.

Will probably end up st

[dundarach]

I've been writing for the last 20 years...

Never finished anything, never happy with anything.

Write for fun - I might finish something sometime.

I like to think whilst I write so for me I get a scene in my head, and work from there and see where the characters go.

However even the free software or plans you can get online are useful for making you think about key elements which I guess are:

1. Are your characters likeable (or not) or interesting enough for someone to read about?
2. Is the story interesting?
3. Do you have plot elements which will entertain your reader, twists and turns, language, situations?
4. Do you have a satisfactory conclusion?
5. Do you have any idea how any of this will ever link together

Most of which I never have

I think a good illustration of this is Stephen King, in my opinion he can't write for toffee, his stories are predictable and usually follow a theme...HOWEVER, he's interesting and gives good satisfaction as his reader knows what they'll get, easy language, juicy horror, satisfaction.

Not sure any of that is of any use however....

[funkyrobot]

irocfan said:

don't start with "...it was a dark and stormy night..." lol


seriously though good luck

Thanks.

My first book starts with 'Once upon a time.'

[funkyrobot]

dundarach said:

I've been writing for the last 20 years...

Never finished anything, never happy with anything.

Write for fun - I might finish something sometime.

I like to think whilst I write so for me I get a scene in my head, and work from there and see where the characters go.

However even the free software or plans you can get online are useful for making you think about key elements which I guess are:

1. Are your characters likeable (or not) or interesting enough for someone to read about?
2. Is the story interesting?
3. Do you have plot elements which will entertain your reader, twists and turns, language, situations?
4. Do you have a satisfactory conclusion?
5. Do you have any idea how any of this will ever link together

Most of which I never have

I think a good illustration of this is Stephen King, in my opinion he can't write for toffee, his stories are predictable and usually follow a theme...HOWEVER, he's interesting and gives good satisfaction as his reader knows what they'll get, easy language, juicy horror, satisfaction.

Not sure any of that is of any use however....

It is useful. Thanks.

[Mark Benson]

funkyrobot said:

My problem seems to be the fact that I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to make everything I do perfect. Should I drop this attitude and just start writing something, even if it isn't great? I guess that is why authors do different drafts?

The thing is we're all different, so what works for other writers won't necessarily work for you, you need to find your own style.

I'm not a writer, but my wife is, and she's a bit of a perfectionist too.
Once she has an idea, she puts together a basic framework and then starts writing fairly early on in the process - most of it will be edited out or never used, but she finds that the process of writing helps the thinking time inbetween and makes the story and characters clearer in her mind.
She doesn't necessarily start at the beginning and work towards the end though, she might write up a scene or an idea with the characters she's using and see how it develops.

She started with short stories, the storyline and characters don't have to be too complex and you can have the 'finished' article (even though she never feels like she's finished) ready more quickly, then get it out there and get feedback. The important thing is to get something down and have a go.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks Mark and lepetit.

[andyroo]

Having read my stuff (hey, did I mention that Noah's Ark has been given a big makeover? I'll send it over to you if you want it) I'll leave you to judge whether or not my advice is worth taking, but here it is anyway.

Writing my second book was a lot easier than the first because I realised a few things that work for me. The major one was writing up a story plan which I could then write detailed chapter plans from as I went. Although these changed as I went along, it gave my brain the freedom to concentrate more on the characterisation and writing etc. I found it very freeing compared to stumbling along blindly not knowing what was happening next.

Get it written, then edit. The first time I tried writing a chapter, then editing, writing, editing etc, but that was just a massive distraction and made the process very laborious. It's also not enough time to get the chapter out your head to read it with fresh eyes.

Think about your characters beyond the plot. Flesh them out, give them a back story. This makes judging their reactions and interactions easier.

Most of all, enjoy it. If you don't enjoy writing, it probably isn't for you.

Good luck!

[VinceFox]

I think of a man, then i take away reason and accountability.

[Motown Junk]

irocfan said:

don't start with "...it was a dark and stormy night..." lol


seriously though good luck

Wasn't 'sultry' the alternative (Throw Momma from the Train)

[coppice]

Don't assume you need all the words in your head before you write- they come as you write. And just sit down and write what you can - then work on it by editing. Think of it as sculpture- carve out the basic shape and then refine and refine until it's right.

If OP hasn't written before then the secret now is just to practice and practice- it may start off as rubbish(most writers do- my early stuff was cringeworthy ) but with luck will get better and better .

But DO it - don't be like the two journos at a party -' What are you up to these days mate ? ' -'I'm writing a novel ' - 'Neither am I ....'

[robsa]

I think people do it lots of different ways, but here's what I do:

Come up with an initial idea and jot it down. Work on it for a while until I have a rough outline that I'm happy with. The usual question, "where is the conflict in the lead character?" along with general important plot points.

I then begin creating a timeline, family trees and histories of important bits, places and people, and research any areas required (ie historically, or asking people about processes at work etc.)

Then I break the story down into its rough elements using the typical dramatic layout usually, then start writing it.

After that I leave it, re-read, edit. Repeat. Over and over and over and over.... until I am happy.

PS Yes, just start writing, anything. Don't worry at this stage how good it is.

[coppice]

The skill is really in the writing every bit as much as the plot; a clumsy writer cam make even the raciest plot dull. But I could read Martin Amis '(him again !) thoughts on how to change a light bulb and it'd be a better read.
Oh - and avoid cliches like the plague ....

[hairykrishna]

dundarach said:

I think a good illustration of this is Stephen King, in my opinion he can't write for toffee, his stories are predictable and usually follow a theme...HOWEVER, he's interesting and gives good satisfaction as his reader knows what they'll get, easy language, juicy horror, satisfaction.

Really? I think King's a rather excellent writer. The OP could do worse than reading Kings book 'On Writing'.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks all. I guess it's time to write, write and write. Who cares if it's crap.

[funkyrobot]

andyroo said:

Having read my stuff (hey, did I mention that Noah's Ark has been given a big makeover? I'll send it over to you if you want it) I'll leave you to judge whether or not my advice is worth taking, but here it is anyway.

Thanks. Your advice is always worth listening to.

Is that the makeover that was made a while ago (second edition), or has it been updated again?

[andyroo]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. Your advice is always worth listening to.

Is that the makeover that was made a while ago (second edition), or has it been updated again?

Ha, there's no basis to prove my advice is worth listening to just yet!

This is a mega edit with professional assistance. 20k words cut. You can download it free here if you want: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2f5dx45prkgyczy/AmAPkjr...

[funkyrobot]

andyroo said:

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. Your advice is always worth listening to.

Is that the makeover that was made a while ago (second edition), or has it been updated again?

Ha, there's no basis to prove my advice is worth listening to just yet!

This is a mega edit with professional assistance. 20k words cut. You can download it free here if you want: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2f5dx45prkgyczy/AmAPkjr...

Ok, thanks. When I get a moment, I'll take a look.

[funkyrobot]

Got it on PDF.