Any tips on how to start writing?

[M.L.]

If you can't get started on your own, take a class that requires workshopping a story: the deadline pressure will spur you to write a story.

[KD]

Hi, I am new to Indie Authors discussion. I agree with Alyson, the first paragraphs are the toughest but don't sit and look at a blank space. Write something down no matter how daft or bad you think it is and then as your story progresses you can always go back and edit or change the first chapters. Believe me there will be a lot of editing.

[Amanda]

I’m a pantser so it’s hard to give any specific tips, because I always have a vague idea and just sit down and start writing. Sometimes the story flows and sometimes it sits there a bit. When that happens, I work on something else until a burst of inspiration hits. One thing I really enjoy doing and gets ideas flowing everywhere is flash fiction. I’m given a prompt from my girls like, “I love colors.” I write a small story typically under 1,000 words with just that small prompt. It helps me a lot. Good luck!

[Lionelson]

For me, before i make the plot, i would first do some world building to find out how the people there interact and what are their cultural norms. After i got that, i start imagining what sort of issues may rise from this community. I try to pick out 2-4 issues and expand them as subplots. Then, all i have to do is intertwine all the subplots into single plot which i'll elaborate into a chapter by chapter synopsis. After that, writing gets easier as you already have an idea what to write next.

[Marisa]

Great advice from all. I would take all of it. I think if you have a blank sheet of paper and nothing comes to mind and you are just not in flow then stop put it away and do something else. It will just frustrate you and you will feel like you have wasted your time. Go do something. Get on with the day then have a fresh mind, attitude and perspective. It will come when you stop pushing and just be relaxed.

[Lionelson]

For fiction, I advise first do world and character building. After you set what kind of world it is and how the characters behave, you'll have a better idea of how the plot will flow!

[Justin]

I agree with Alyson. Get a general story idea rolling around in your head and write up a basic plot and start an outline. Some writer's don't use an outline, but that's totally up to you. I normally do, and it helps me stay focused and on track. One thing I do when it comes to outlines is keep it simple. I don't write out each scene, etc. because in my option that takes the creativity away. Once you get that done, start off with chapter one, page one of your first draft. Like Alyson said your first few pages are the hardest. You'll get to a scene in your story where you'll think, why in this world do I have to write this, and why am I even writing this book to begin with? I wish you the best of luck with your story, and if you need any help along the way, reach out to me. I'll be glad to help and answer any more questions you may have.

[John]

Lately, I've been carrying around a notebook at work and writing little scenes here and there throughout the day (I have a lot of slow time at my job). I've found that this casual method of writing ends up producing quite a lot of material that I can take home and type up later on my computer. At that point, I tighten up the writing and flesh it out into a more fully fledged story.

This method is a big contrast to the way I used to work. In the past I'd force myself to sit down for a set amount of time and just try to write as much as possible. This often led to stress and writer's block, though. I'm finding that my new strategy of writing here and there in a notebook has helped my creativity flow much more smoothly.

[Jessica]

John wrote: "Lately, I've been carrying around a notebook at work and writing little scenes here and there throughout the day (I have a lot of slow time at my job). I've found that this casual method of writing..."

I concur with John here, and also Joed a little further up r.e. having a start and an end from the get-go. I actually find my first scene tends to either be vastly changed at the end of the first draft, or completely omitted. My final scenes rarely change.

Additionally to having a notepad (and weirdly enough I am very picky about which notepad I use for drafting - it has to be A5 hardbound or hard plastic cover!) I also bought a dictaphone. I walk a lot, and during the seasons it's a great way capture atmosphere, or even scenes I have rolling about in my head. It also means I don't have to stop when I'm on a fierce stride.

The only time I usually sit and stare at the laptop is when I have a lot of paper notes, or typed up notes that I have to sew together, and I get them all done in one go. Editing is primarily done on paper for me. Then out loud.

If I'm really stuck, I like to write out scenes with high conflict or emotion, or something exciting happening, because it feeds back into why I'm excited about the story, and might spark a rethink or confirmation on what I've already got. If that doesn't work, I work on something else, or read. Four pages into a new book when I'm itching to get my own story down usually tells my brain to get the hell on with it.

I also found On Writing by Stephen King made me reach for the pen, because love him or hate him, his advice is pretty confidence-inspiring.

[Sterling]

Get in there and start writing. Don't edit as you write-just get it out of your head and onto paper.
I usually will sketch out a quick per chapter outline of the direction I see the story taking. It's ok if this changes as you write. But most importantly, just start writing. :) And do some market research on other authors/books in the same genre. See what is popular. Be flexible :)

--Sterling