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Any tips on how to start writing?
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Beaudry
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Nov 04, 2017 01:32PM
Hey, so I've got a story I want to write and a vague outline of a plot but I'm not really sure how I should start, any tips?
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Writing style is something that is as individual as each of us. For me, I generally"start at the beginning" in the sense that I just start with what I think should be the opening line and go from there. Usually I just have a vague notion of what's going to happen and I don't do much outlining. I'm what's known as a pantser. Others plot out every detail before they begin any actual writing,hence they are plotters.Try both, see what works for you. If you truly find yourself unsure as to what to do, try some writing exercises. You can find all kinds of suggestions and workshops online, or if you've got the time and a little extra cash, you might check and see if your local community college has a creative writing class.
Hi, Beaudry! I'm more of a mad scientist from another universe/ strategist when it comes to my writing so I don't exactly fit the plotterser, pantser category. But maybe you can write different scenarios you find appealing and choose which one seems the best one to start with. If that doesn't work, just start writing don't worry about how to start. Just do it.
I'll echo what both Christina and Angel said. How you go about writing is unique to each individual, but it will likely take you time to fathom out what works for you. Meanwhile, I suggest just write.Don't worry about the right place to start the story, or about making it look like a polished work right out the gate. Fret too much about "what ought to be" and the chances are you'll freeze through analysis paralysis. The important thing right now is simply to get words on the page. Kicking those words into a coherent story can come later.
Don't even worry about thinking you have to start writing at the beginning. Presumably there's something about the story that you have in mind, something that entices you, but maybe the bit you get excited about is somewhere in the middle and you're not yet sure how to get there. Never mind, write the bit that you can imagine most clearly in your mind, or the bit that most excites you. Get some momentum going, and eventually the rest will follow.
My first time writing, I let it go until my characters became fully created in my head. And then I ignored them. However they didn't stay ignored. I dreamed of them. I saw them wherever. Then I gave up and wrote their story. Which I started with an outline which was more of a plotline (lol) since the outline lined out everything they did.At first they were pain in the necks but they persevered on bugging me and all. Write how things get going for you. Until you find your Voice, that's what I say.
I'm not sure what type of writer I am... guess I'm a plotter in a way. I get an idea, think about it, write down various aspects of the story (not necessarily as an outline) and start writing. I tend to write the plot and characters in a rough outline first. Then I write a quick rough draft. My next step is to detail everything about the character(s) regardless of the info being used in the story or not. Once I know my characters (including cutting somebody's photo out of a magazine that resembles my character), I write a second draft to round out the story with the more rounded characters. And from there it's edit edit edit and more edit. When it feels somewhat done... read your story looking for movement. If it looses momentum or you get off centered regarding the story line, don't be afraid to cut (yes, it hurts to cut after putting hours into something), but your story will be better for it. Have someone other than relatives read your story (relatives, especially moms, seem to always give praise regardless of quality), find someone who will be honest with you... then most importantly grow thick skin, accept criticism as a learning tool AND remember, come to grips with the fact that not everybody is going to like what you write, what you wear, what you eat, what movies you like, whatever...
I echo Christina above, the absolute starting point of writing is getting it on paper (computer, tablet)... as nobody can read it in your head. Once on paper you can manipulate it, add to it, change your characters, switch things around, and cut where necessary.
Enjoy the writing opportunity, take pride in what you do and don't let it become a chore. Write On!!
Mod
Have you never written a story before? If not, do not expect this one to be good enough to be published. Write it, get it out of your system and learn from it. And if you do want to publish, be sure to show it to others first and get their opinion on it.
I like to let ideas simmer for a while in my head before writing them down. I leave them and whenever a scene or character or something comes to me I jot it down and keep going. Eventually it develops into a much more fully formed idea that just forces me to write it down, so I start it. By that point I have a good idea of what I want it to be like. But of course once you start writing plans will change. Characters might impose themselves out of the blue, new ideas or events might pop up, etc. If you would like to start now and you feel you've let the story do enough cooking on the back burner, but you're still not sure where to start you might want to try making up chapter titles... I used to do that all the time when I first started writing more seriously and still do it from time to time. It helps me wrap my head around the idea and flesh out the vague plans a little more.
For me the level of planning also depends on whether it will be a short story, novella, or a full novel. If it's a shorter story I often just sit down and write - delete - write - delete - write until I hit on the right beginning.
As others have said this is a creative process. It will be different for each person, and you will eventually find what works for you.
There is a lot of very good advice here and I have little to add. Except my own strategy for avoiding ‘blank page hysteria’ where a writer sits in front of a blank page and freezes.Write a few words about anything that is floating around in your mind. It can be related to your book, say a fragment of story that is in your head, or some character names. But it need not be book-related at all. What you can see from where you are writing is always good.
Then you have something to build on.
Sounds mad but it helps.
Just you do it. The satisfaction is immense
Christina wrote: "Writing style is something that is as individual as each of us. For me, I generally"start at the beginning" in the sense that I just start with what I think should be the opening line and go from t..."Writing for me is never outlined or plotted, I just start putting words on paper, and the words seem to form of their own volition! I must be a panster (writing by the seat of my pants). I've never been organized, so I guess that's why I don't outline or plot my writing before I start. I just hatch an idea and the idea writes its own story. I worry about cleaning it up once my characters are finished telling me what they want me to write. Writing non-fiction, for me, seems to form the same way, a thought occurs and I jot them down as they flow from my mind onto the screen and then onto paper. I guess you could say I'm haphazard, until I read over what I've written and polish it up. As writers, we all write in our own way. That's what makes us all unique.
Hi Beaudry. A lot of the advice in here is great - one thing I like to do is think about WHY I want to write what I'm about to write, what I'm trying to say with it. Then I write that down. So from there, I can check everything I write against that statement and think "Does it achieve my goal or not?" Then I don't have to worry about if it's good or not, only if it achieves my goal.Hope that helps!
Hi Beaudry, I am amazed that you've gotten all this advice without anyone asking you whether you have ever written anything before.You sound as if you have never tried to write a novel, or novella even, so my suggestion would be to do a little homework first; perhaps reading some books on the craft of writing for example to find out how to structure a novel, and/or how to create characters. And/or reading some books in the genre into which your story fits.
Hi, Beaudry, I agree with Joanna. It's really helpful to find a book or two in the same genre as what you want to write and really study them. outline the opening, see how characters are developed, what makes you like them and dislike them.
Dionne wrote: "My first time writing, I let it go until my characters became fully created in my head. And then I ignored them. However they didn't stay ignored. I dreamed of them. I saw them wherever. Then I gav..."Yes, I have had that experience too. It got me back into the discipline of writing novels after a long hiatus of just writing Christmas newsletters and flash nonfiction.
Sometimes I wish the characters could just write for me. In the past, I've had a series of teen mysteries and I knew the cast so well, eventually their personalities took over and assigned themselves to fitting actions.
Beaudry wrote: "Hey, so I've got a story I want to write and a vague outline of a plot but I'm not really sure how I should start, any tips?"Write it out as a short story. If you are hoping to write a novel, then you'll have your beginning, middle, and end, Then go back and layer in details. I hope this helps.
I agree with a lot of the comments here.Decide why you want to write.
Some people write a structure for a story and then insert characters, others pick characters and then build the story around them.
If you want to start by honing your creative writing skills I liked Katherine Sweeney's book
Writing:Creative Writing: A Guide For New Writers. An Introductory How To Guide For Developing Creative Thinking And Writing Skills (Creative Writing Exercises, ... Developing Creative Confidence, Book 1).
Lots of great exercises in there for beginners.
Mod
I asked that. Haven't had an answer, yet.
If you've never written before there's only one way to do it: start writing.Anything you write now can be re-written, tossed out, chopped up, rearranged, edited or moved somewhere else in the book.
Don't expect a good product on the first go. Everyone who has ever learned to ride a bike has fallen off. But the good thing about writing is that unless and until you've published it, it's still a work in progress.
Expect heartache and don't kid yourself, it's probably not as good as you think. My first novel I thought the world of. I never published it. Now, 22 years later, I realize it's a dog. The story's great but the writing is bad. I hadn't found my voice--my style--yet. That takes time for all of us.
Those amazing first time writers? Yeah, there's probably at least 10 years of failure that came before that "first" book.
And ... maybe look for Kurt Vonnegut's 8 Rules for Writing. Good advice there. But sometimes rules are only suggestions. Writing is one of those cases.
My favorite rule from the above is #5: Start as close to the end as possible.
Good luck.
No, I haven't written before, I've thought about it though I just always feel like I should plan out the story more before I start writing but from reading the advice I've been given I might just give it a shot even if it doesn't turn out great. Thanks
I think it's mostly about finding a process you enjoy - indie writing is mostly made of lots of unpaid work (at least as far as I've gotten so far), so it's not going to last if you don't enjoy it at least as much as an average hobby you would otherwise do.
Mod
Some do a great deal of planning before writing. I do a lot of planning in my head, but do not write anything down until I start the rough draft. I think of that as my outline. There's no right or wrong here, whatever you find works best for you.
Since you've never written before, I would encourage you to read a few writing guides or take a workshop on creative writing. You don't necessarily have to wait with the writing until after you've done these things, but it should be done before you finish your first project you plan to publish.
No, your first attempt probably won't be great, but that's fine. Keep working at it! It's a craft that none of us will ever truly master. There's always something to learn. And have fun! Let your characters entertain you.
Start writing. Give it a shot. It takes time to figure out what works for you; my writing process evolves with each story I write. Maybe one day I will even learn to write outlines instead of just keeping it all in my head until I get to each particular scene.Oh, and have fun!
Start writing and see if it's for you, is the simple advice. However write for the right reasons, write because you want to and enjoy it (I'll let you hate editing and marketing). Personally, I like some of the research my books throw up, from locations, to how something works, it can be anything. Can you have an allergy to bee venom and die from ingestion, rather than injection? For example.For me, I plan the beginning, middle and end, just a few sentences, and a few names of characters to use, and then I start to write. Sometimes I stick to the plot and the characters, sometimes I get a few chapters in and I have a change of direction, and that's the fun of it.
I never write when I'm not in the mood, as I turn out worse stuff than normal!
Anyway - write, either for your own pleasure, or get someone to read it, and go from there.
There are two types of writers: Planners and pantsters. In other words those who plan and those who write organically. Figure out which one you are. Your personality should already give you some clues. If you are highly organized and plan your life your probably a planner. If you are I would suggest reading books on outlining and planning a novel. If not you are a panster. In that case if you have any writing ability at all I would take Nike's advice and "just do it" write your story. It may be short or long. Your characters may turn out totally different than you plan and you may write yourself into a corner. Welcome to the world of being a panster. Trust me I speak from experience. This is where editing, patience, and even some ADD comes into play. But, you can't do any of it without writing in the first place. Even if you are a plotter your first stories may not come out like you want. The more you write the better you get. Don't get discouraged. Be sure to keep reading as well. It gives you inspiration, improves vocabulary, and grammar.
Good luck
Mod
You could be right about most people, but this is not true of me at all. My professional and home life are pretty structured. I have schedules that I have to go by at work and it's all fairly rigid. Regardless, I like to keep my writing very free and lacking in any detailed planning. I just go with the flow and then work and rework a story until I feel it makes sense.
Something I did to cut my teeth as a writer was fan fiction. I'd take a character (or characters) I liked from something I enjoyed, then I'd study them - finding out what little, subtle nuances made me like them - and, once I felt like I had a decent understanding of the character, I'd think up a scenario for them and and write it out in prose.I find that doing so made it much easier to jump into totally original works, because it made me start naturally thinking of original characters on that same level. So, from where I sit, seeing as characters are just about the most important things in fiction, studying characterization is a great jumping off point.
Write down your ideas...do an outline and just get started...SIMPLE!
One of the best things I learned about writing is to write a short story about an event in your life that you remember vividly. That way you already know the timeline, dates, and as many details as you wish to add. My first writing gig was simply writing about a flying trip my wife and I took. It was published in a club newsletter. I liked it because there was very little pressure.
Find the character(s) you are passionate about, whether likeable or detestable, and let the character drive the action within the circumstances you envision. Get started, set down the first sentence and don't let your inner critic get in the way. You can do it.
Dwayne wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Your personality should already give you some clues. If you are highly organized and plan your life you're probably a planner."You could be right about most people, but this is no..."
I can see that but you should know yourself well enough to realize you aren't ever going to stick to an outline. Maybe its just me but my home life (including writing) are totally different from work. At work I'm OCD but that comes with my profession. At home I'm the opposite. I still say jumping into it will tell a writier the most about themselves.
As was already mentioned, I think knowing your writing style is important, whether you are a detailed planner, or developing your plot as you go. I think reading a few short stories might help which would give you an indication of how to start. I have personally found it very useful at times just reading analytically for style and story development.
I wrote my first draft on paper, and it was awful hahaha. The point is, write for the plot first, then worry about the style, because it will change a lot as you learn to write. Also, read books in the same tense and POV you are writting in as you write. It helps better than any tip.
Mod
That might work for some, but certainly not for all. I enjoy taking my time with a piece, working it and reworking it, making it the best it can be. I can't put my name on something I rushed through. I made that mistake a couple of times and refuse to let it happen again. Readers deserve better. I have a novel I wanted to publish in June, but it wasn't ready. It still isn't. Like I said, to each his own, but it seems that if you rush a work, you're missing out on the fun and the magic of it.
Pick a subject you like and a good time to write. Keep at it, Don't try to edit your first draft just let it flow.
Think of it like a water balloon.It looks dangerous, filled with cool water. A weapon waiting for a target.
Once you pop it, the water comes gushing out.
The balloon embodies the fears constraining creativity.
The water is the essence of your untold story.
To write the tale, the balloon must pop. But popping it will get you wet.
So go ahead. Pop the balloon, and the story will spill forth.
To be a writer, according to Stephen King, you must do two things above everything else. These are: read a lot (100 books a year) and write a lot (every single day of your life). Analyzing these advice it makes absolute sense.
So you want to be a writer then write.
When I was 13 years old I read a Nancy Drew Files book (the first book I ever read) and was hooked on reading everything I got my hands on. I used to read, if I'm not mistaken more than 100 books every year since then.
That first book I read inspired me to write my first four novels and I was 13! I didn't even thought about asking the question: how do you start writing? Never crossed my mind. Guess that's what children do, never question things and just plunge into doing it.
Just write something every day. It doesn't have to be grand. Write a very short story [a flash story], get a journal, but just start writing...and reading of course.
So you want to be a writer then write.
When I was 13 years old I read a Nancy Drew Files book (the first book I ever read) and was hooked on reading everything I got my hands on. I used to read, if I'm not mistaken more than 100 books every year since then.
That first book I read inspired me to write my first four novels and I was 13! I didn't even thought about asking the question: how do you start writing? Never crossed my mind. Guess that's what children do, never question things and just plunge into doing it.
Just write something every day. It doesn't have to be grand. Write a very short story [a flash story], get a journal, but just start writing...and reading of course.
Mod
According to On Writing, King reads about seventy to eighty books a year. Reading is a great exercise, yes, but I wouldn't worry about the number of books you read. What you get out of them is more important.
Tips on "how to start...?" I used to say I was a writer for years, but every time I sat down I would wait for inspiration to "hit" before I could start. That's not writing. Writing is a job. It's a second job. I started relying more on the organic structuring of the story to give me the bones of where to start--forcing myself each time when I sat down to just write--and that's what keeps me going. Sometimes it's fun, most of the time it's work while everyone else is binge-watching TV or having fun...I'm 'working.' That's the writer's life.
Another reminder that we all approach writing differently. A lot of good advice has been offered, but no one way is the way to begin writing. I think the OP has enough to go on now. :-)
The most helpful thing I ever did was listen to the audiobook "Stein on Writing" by Sol Stein. It covers from A-Z exactly what you have to do to write a book. I re-listen to it at least once a year! Hope that helps...
I recommend jotting down whatever concepts or ideas, however small and keeping them in one place. Sometimes we tend to minimize what we are getting because it is not big or fully formulated. However as you collect these ideas, they tend to take a life of their own. Your creative juices are free to flow and it starts to come together. The key is not to judge them or put pressure on your on yourself. This stifles your creativity. Blessings on your project(s)!
I get up in the morning and have coffee with my wife, and then bike ride for an hour as well as other exercising. Usually, that puts me in a creative mind set. I know what I want to write, and if I stall, I just continue until the words start flowing again. I'm only good for an hour or two a day. After that, I don't have the energy to go on.
Try a "five minute drill," where you set a timer for 5 minutes and you just write straight nonstop the whole time. You don't stop to correct typos, grammar, etc., just force yourself to put ideas on paper. That's a good way to jumpstart the process if you find yourself wondering how to get started.
Hey! This is my first time writing a full length book (I've been writing short stories for as long as I can remember). My advice: just write. The writing process is very individual to the writer, and after more than a year writing my first book, I just know feel like I've come into my field. I.E. I'm comfortable with how I choose to write. I don't know if you've written short stories before (I recommend if you haven't, it's a good exercise to get started), but a short story is similar, yet very different from a longer story. I mean, I outlined, I did character sheets, and I didn't have my story fully realized until after my 3rd line of edits. Don't feel pressured to have everything figured out at once. As you're telling your story, you will end up surprising yourself. I mean, I created a side character to only fit in one scene of the book, and I liked her so much, I made her a main love interest.
* can't edit my above comment. Just know I meant "now" instead of "know," in that one sentence.
Mod
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@DwayneI'm on the mobile app most of the time for this site, and unfortunately I cannot see any of that. Perhaps those options are avaliable for the mobile app. I'll continue to search for them.
I always just got right into it and take it slow starting out. The first few pages are the hardest, especially if you are creating a new book world.
There are as many ways to write as there are writers, but...and it is a big one...you have to start. As a friend of mine said, "Even if it sounds stupid, write the story you want to write until you reach a logical end. Then put it away, go take a few classes to learn what you are doing and go back and read that story. You are a writer by completing it, but now you need to learn what it takes to make a really good story."It worked. I wrote my first novel, then a second, then a third, but I waited to publish until I learned what made a decent story, character development, plot line and more on word choices and sentence structure. The more you write, the more you learn and the better you get.
I can write without an outline, but to make it better and tighter, I have found an outline works the best for me. It doesn't have to be detailed, but needs to have where I'm going or I'm all over the place. For me, I found a few good classes on plotting. Then looked at the Snowflake method, James Patterson master class, PLotting your way to success, and Deep Story class (offered by STARR through RWA) all have helped me to get it together.
