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Hi, I have never written book before as my Grammer is very shady. But I have had an idea stuck in my head for years that simply will not go away!Long story short how on earth do I start to put it to paper?
(how do I start to write?)
Do I create a blurb first? or do I write the first few chapters? Also when creating characters do i need to plan all the main charcaters out before I start to write anything or do i just go with the flow?
Many thanks in advance for all your feedback
You really should create a new thread.You can do all of those things, or you can just start writing. After my first novels, I now create a logline, blurb and synopsis before I begin writing, so I've captured the original intent that got me excited in the beginning. I also generally write a paragraph or two bio for each main character, but that's up to you.
The most important thing, though, is to write. Except for a tiny handful of mutants, good writing happens during the editing process and you can't edit what hasn't been written. Focus on getting your ideas out of your head and onto the page (preferably in electronic format and ideally on some cloud service like Google docs, so it gets backed up) and don't worry about editing until you're finished. Lots of people write great first chapters, then stall. Focus on getting the story complete, THEN worry about perfecting it.
Thank you very much , I have often put of writting because my grammer and spelling are very poor, however this characater/ idea is pestering me in my dreams / day dreams now so I feel I have to somehow create it on paper lol.
Gramma and spelling can be sorted later - Get that stuff from your head onto paper or computer, in any order that comes to you at the time!
Hey David,I wouldn't let your spelling and grammar hold you back if you have a story you want to tell. Most word processors have spell and grammar check, though the latter is not always accurate. I'm not sure if you will find this helpful, but this is my method thus far:
I've personally found it beneficial write down all the things that I want in my story first. All the things that were rattling around in my brain for so long. From there, I tried to figure out how I wanted it to start and how I wanted it to end. I then brought a spreadsheet into the mix, estimated how many words I wanted it to be, and from there I approximated how many chapters I wanted. I broke the spreadsheet up into a whole bunch of columns, though I don't actually use them all. What I do use is chapter number, word count, major plot points, and notes. I also have spots for location, etc. but like I said I don't use those. You, however, might.
I started writing down random ideas as they came to me and started putting them into the spreadsheet. I ended up moving stuff around a lot and rewriting things, but I have found it incredibly helpful when I am stuck. I can just go to the spreadsheet and see where I am, look at the next row and see where I want to be, and it's a lot easier to suss out the chapter that way.
The whole process is incredibly fluid. From the time I started thinking about my book about 10 years ago, it has morphed and molted too many times to count. Be flexible.
Write down your ideas as soon as you get them. They are tricksy and slippery and need to be committed to paper, digital or otherwise. I personally like using an app called Bear. It's free and easy. I use it often. Just last night at around 2 a.m. I used it. I often get my best ideas while I'm trying to fall asleep. At first I thought I would remember in the morning, but I rarely did. It's worth it to grab your phone/tablet/whatever and write it down as soon as it comes to you, even at 2 a.m. Often when I find myself a bit lost, I will peruse my list of random ideas and get inspired.
In terms of characters, I find I need to write them a bit to really get to know them, but I started off writing a short physical description of each of them. I also found it really helpful to write out something like 20 questions and have each of them answer those questions. Simple stuff like what's your favourite colour or if you had a million dollars what would you buy first. It was really helpful for me learning about them and discovering their voices.
I have a question, do you have any beta reading exchange board? I see there are dozens looking for a beta reader without answers, perhaps this could be organized by genre and amount of words, like for example, until 40k words/Fantasy or Short Story (until 10K words)/Romance and so on?I would gladly swap beta reading with another author as long as we would be initially ok with beta reading after a first general look at the manuscript and the amount of words would be similar.
david wrote: "Hi, I have never written book before as my Grammer is very shady. But I have had an idea stuck in my head for years that simply will not go away!Long story short how on earth do I start to put it..."
david wrote: "Hi, I have never written book before as my Grammer is very shady. But I have had an idea stuck in my head for years that simply will not go away!
Long story short how on earth do I start to put it..."
Hi, David! Are you writing fiction or nonfiction? For fiction, here's a method you might like to try: https://medium.com/@jimwoodswrites/ho...
Leticia wrote: "I have a question, do you have any beta reading exchange board? I see there are dozens looking for a beta reader without answers, perhaps this could be organized by genre and amount of words, like ..."I second the request for a beta reading exchange board.
Greetings. I have a finished MS and am looking for a beta reader(s). I am a professional writer, however previous work has been in nonfiction.
My MS is a Mystery, set in wartime Berlin. Word count is 138k.
I'm new to Goodreads groups so hope this post is directed correctly!
Cheers,
Bill Kelly
Bll wrote: "Greetings. I have a finished MS and am looking for a beta reader(s). I am a professional writer, however previous work has been in nonfiction.
My MS is a Mystery, set in wartime Berlin. Word coun..."
Hey hun, i've sent you a PM! :)
Bll wrote: "Greetings. I have a finished MS and am looking for a beta reader(s). I am a professional writer, however previous work has been in nonfiction.
My MS is a Mystery, set in wartime Berlin. Word coun..."
Hi,
I have sent you a PM!
Looking forward to hearing from you. :)
Hi! I am a relatively new writer, and I'm working on a new book, but I'm having some trouble. It's a fantasy book, and I am formatting the first chapter in a letter to Earth. I would love to have a beta reader to look over my story ideas and to help me with some stuff I'm having trouble with. The story is about a world where most people have powers that contradict their personalities. It is very rare to have powers that match your personality in this world, around a 1% chance.
I have been getting some contradictory feedback on my novel. What I need to know is it more important to the reader that characters and dialog be "honest" according to who, when and where they are or should it be edited to reflect contemporary social mores and political correctness.
My advice is to tell the story you feel is authentic. It sounds like some of your Betas aren't a right fit for what your looking for. I could be wrong! That is my first impression based on your post. The job of a beta reader is to give feedback on the story, not use it to project their own personal beliefs. If they can't be objective, I'd look elsewhere or try to find new beta readers.
Hi, I'm a new writer and I'm working on my first book. It's fantasy mainly, with some spiritual and sci-fi elements mixed in. But I wanted to ask if one of the topics I wrote about is appropriate, I have an explicit scene in one of my chapters. It's a sexual assault scene, to put it bluntly, and I don't want to scare anyone or offend anyone by posting it. Is it ok for me to share this scene if there is a trigger warning?
Suhail wrote: "Hi, I'm a new writer and I'm working on my first book. It's fantasy mainly, with some spiritual and sci-fi elements mixed in. But I wanted to ask if one of the topics I wrote about is appropriate, ..."Hello Suhail,
Congratulations on your work, first of all. I have read more than a dozen fantasy books that includes assault scenes, mainly because of the alien-human relationship issues. So, with a trigger warning, I don't find any reason why you can't share the scene.
Leticia: I am new to this group also, and had a similar question to yours!
I am co-writing a book with an author friend of mine, and we are considering beta readers. (I don't yet know the word count.)
Genre is sci-fi / historical fiction/ paranormal.
Could you send me a "private message" and maybe we could set up a time to discuss what an arrangement would look like, and timelines?
With thanks,
Thalia
Hi, I was wondering if it was okay to post in the group for people who would like to join a critique group. Regular small swaps every month?
Hi, Where do I begin?
Okay, I have a completed 'manuscript' as you say, and am new to this group, as well as the art of writing, as opposed to visual art. I am wondering a bunch of things, like whether it's strange to put out a romance/fiction novel that is below a hundred pages, if it's the right step to seek out beta readers before handing over to an editor, where to begin on this forum, and general advice on what to do next after this beta reading phase. I'm not that grown-up yet, so I don't really know what to do from here, and the manuscript I have has changed from a movie script, to a graphic novel, to a book.
-Chisom
Hi! I would suggest you read some of the many books out there on writing. There are many I've read that I can recommend. And one thing that is suggested, but usually gets to people after the event. That thing is to get people's eyes on you and your book. Yes, before it's even been started.
I have 7 novels published, and yesterday I was reading how I should have started all this BEFORE publishing my first book! Hey Ho! I suspect many, if not most, writers only discover this when reading about how to market their book after publishing.
Writing the book is the easy bit. It's what comes after that's hard. There are so many books out there that you need to be active to get your book seen by potential readers.
Get a website and write a blog. (I use Wordpress. There's both free and paid versions.) You can talk about how your writing process is going, give hints about your characters, once you've got to know them. Even do an interview with them.
Read the blogs of other authors for ideas.
Don't worry about grammar and spelling. They can be sorted with editing software (but beware that there are some things that it doesn't work for. For example, if you write too when it should be to.) You can also get help from other people. Ask them to read your work and correct any spelling and grammar. Ask on social media for anyone willing to read your work, too. I am in a superb online critique group that I find most useful. You will find authors are more than willing to help.
Personally, I'm what is known as a pantster. I write by the seat of my pants. Yes, I have a rough idea about where my story is going, but I don't plan in detail.
When coming to look at your characters, you should find out about their backstory. This won't necessarily come into you writing. It probably shouldn't, but it helps you to know what has made them what they are and to know them better.
Good luck with your writing.
I’m looking for an Omega Reader.— Um … what?
(True story):
Some years ago, someone brandishing a clipboard stopped me dead in the street—my first reaction to which and of course was, “Uh-oh!”) Then she asked the absolute last question I ever expected:
“Would you like some free beer?”
(Well, it was searing hot. So….) Presented with some dozen or so different samples I was then asked only to check off some boxes. Take note, that the one thing I was *not* expected to do was a chemical analysis. Twenty minutes later the brewer was happy; and so was I. Onward Ho!
End of anecdote. But before getting into it I would offer an advance apology. I admit it. I’m beyond frustrated; and it’s going to show.
Given we all seem to be into letters here and because “alpha” and “beta” just don’t fit the bill, I thought I’d initiate my own category. I’m like that. Unconventional.
So, what’s an “Omega” reader?
Mind you, I speak here only for myself and I truly wish I didn’t have to point this out; but trust me, it’s necessary.
Alpha readers (who really don’t seem to exist, anyway) read rough drafts. Forgetting about them, when I say I’m looking for “beta readers” (to read my *polished* work) I’m not actually looking for any kind of editing. None. Zilch. Nada. Niente! Tipota. Ezer ez! On the contrary, because I will in any event be having my book professionally edited, then and just like the woman with the clipboard all I’m looking for at this (again, still polished) stage are “test customers.” You know—like the Mom and Dad or Aunty Jane who just never seem to have the time, who almost certainly don’t reflect your target audience anyway and so who even if they did wouldn’t be honest and forthright with you—so you should never ask them in the first place. All I (and I emphasise) *need* at this stage is someone to act as anyone would after having just bought and read my book. At that I would ask only that they and as it were, “check of a few boxes” about it—generally telling me what they thought of it and how it left them. Did they finish it? If not, at what point did they put it down. And—most important of all—if and on foot of some good editing they would recommend it to others.
I gotta’ be honest here. Restraining people from what appears some primal urge to nit-pick seems a great deal to ask. It’s not helpful.
Omega readers: like drinking—but words.
Dan wrote: "I’m looking for an Omega Reader.— Um … what?
(True story):
Some years ago, someone brandishing a clipboard stopped me dead in the street—my first reaction to which and of course was, “Uh-oh!”)..."
Hi Dan,
I will shyly raise my hand and check the boxes on your clipboard for you. I am seeking beta readers for my own finished work, so I figure sowing some karma seeds here might help.
I will send you a friend request and you can send me the Google doc.
Best,
Daniel
Hi Daniel. More to come—but…. There’s a problem right off. I don't use google docs. I don’t trust its demand to reformat from Word into a googledoc—then (unnecessarily) to store the file on Google; and (especially as there are images involved) I have no idea how well one might reformat back again into Word—where I want it. Do you by any chance use Dropbox?
Are we allowed to submit a link to our work on BetaBooks?
Have you ever had a beta reader where halfway through you realize they might not be your reader? Not my best day.
david wrote: "Hi, I have never written book before as my Grammer is very shady. But I have had an idea stuck in my head for years that simply will not go away!Long story short how on earth do I start to put it..."
David - Try this. Find a comfortable place to sit. Maybe a little music if that works. Grab a pen and some paper and start writing things down. Remind yourself there are no rules. Write whatever comes to mind. Do this over and over. You'll be amazed what you come up with.
david wrote: "Thank you very much , I have often put of writting because my grammer and spelling are very poor, however this characater/ idea is pestering me in my dreams / day dreams now so I feel I have to som..."Hi David
I' d start with outlining your story or novel. If you want you can google how an author outline's their project, then you'll get a sense of direction. patspnn37@optimum.net
Hi everyone, I'm new to Goodreads so I apologise if this post is in the wrong folder/forum - please do direct me to the right place, if I'm wrong!I'm a new writer, very much learning as I go, and had a query about Beta Readers, at what point do you begin to look for a Beta Reader? Do you have to send a whole manuscript to them, or can it be a couple of chapters? Or even just a chapter?
Additionally, when you send it to them what is the general protocol? Are they looking specifically for spelling/grammar, or can it also be a looking at character and structure?
Again, apologises for all the questions, as said I am very much trying to learn as I go! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
I've been a Beta reader ( for free) for quite a few years now. To get the best from a Beta reader it is best to try to correct as many of the spelling and grammar errors as possible- otherwise the reader will spend so much time correcting those that they will lose sight of the story. I have to admit I compulsively correct spelling and grammar mistakes. I also note, as I go my, queries and impressions of the story, usually as comments in a shared google document. Most writers seem to quite like that and often will discuss such comments- which I am happy to do. I prefer to get a whole story, only because I read so much that I sometimes conflate stories and have a bad memory! Getting a manuscript over several months means I have to keep on going back to remind myself of the story- and to be honest, in general, life is too short for that. Also if it seems like a good story I certainly hate to be left with just the beginning. At the end I give feedback to the writer about the story, the characters, inconsistencies etc., and if they have given me a questionnaire I use that to shape my feedback too. Quite often I am asked to read what is really an alpha read - maybe only the first time a writer has shown their work to an "outsider". I really do like to know if this is the case, because it usually means I must spend more time trying to help get the work to a readable stage. So I suppose the answer is that it depends on where you are, what the Beta reader wants or is willing to do- and how well your way of working and theirs gel together.
Davida wrote: "I've been a Beta reader ( for free) for quite a few years now. To get the best from a Beta reader it is best to try to correct as many of the spelling and grammar errors as possible- otherwise the ..."This is so incredibly useful thank you so much! I've only just finished a first chapter so have got a long way to go - this is such a brilliant comment though and has helped me get a lot of clarity on Beta readers. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, thank you
Agree with what Davida posted. I recently went through a fruitful beta experience (most from here) on my third novel (the first two were more just fun and are currently tucked away in a cloud ;) ).
First, I wrote my 'crap' draft and had entire thing printed out. I read this as quickly as possible aloud picking up the hundreds of plot holes and character issues. Then I did more edits and ran everything through spell ands grammar.
After this I let it sit for two weeks (Christmas) and then I made one more read through focussing on the plot. Then I sent the revised manuscript to a good friend just to see if she could read it. She could
After this I reached out to my first beta reader (paid) here. She found A LOT of issues. I made edits, went through it all and then paid a second beta editor fort more critiques (as Davida mentioned--google docs is the way to go for these so you can see the edits). More edits and more changes.
At this point, I was happier and worked with getting a decent word count (I was way too high for submission). I was also confident the story overall was solid. Then I found a wonderful free beta editor for the quicker pass just to gage enjoyment and overall plot (big picture stuff).
After this, I made a few more changes and sent to a few friends to get reactions.
Now I am queuing and going to critique group just to make those first chapters better. I also sent two chapters to another free talented beta reader.
As you can see, there's lots of edits and lots of reviews--I would caution taking everyone's advice completely--use different editors with different tastes and treat the plot/character issues like a buffet. Take what you like and politely ignore the rest.
Do your very best to have grammar and spelling handled. Because you probably have a very large document, you will miss some things so don't let that hang you up, but do what you can.
I personally would not send anything out until completely done because odds are high you will nix quite a bit of the first bit of writing UNLESS your goal is just to see if you can write (which I think you already can). When you are still in the midst of the story, you're still changing lots of things and it would just waste your time to have someone start editing at that point.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Lisa
Lisa wrote: "Agree with what Davida posted. I recently went through a fruitful beta experience (most from here) on my third novel (the first two were more just fun and are currently tucked away in a cloud ;) )..."
Thank you so much! This really is so incredibly helpful!
I'm very much in the beginning process of it all (have literally just done a first draft of a first chapter so have a long way to go) but this is such great insight to have for future me to refer back to.
I'm so mentally prepared and ready for all the editing and drafts and redrafts - I am under no illusion that the first draft will be the one that strikes gold (as much as we all secretly hope that it is) :')
I'm very excited to get more of this story under my belt and get to a place where I can send it out for some Betas readers!
Thank you again,
E.B
So there is very little in the way of illustration in adult fantasy. In your opinion is this a missed opportunity by publishers to further enhance the authors work?Or do you prefer that it be left up to the readers own imagination based on the authors description?
I ask because I would like to include a piece of foreshadowing or relative art at the front of each chapter in my novel. Maybe it's something readers don't prefer though...
(Hope this is the correct forum for such a question)
I think it is this "that it be left up to the readers own imagination based on the authors description?"It also depends on how well you write the foreshadowing. It should be in a way that leaves opens theories and leaves the readers gasping when they realize the foreshadowing. I don't know about including it at the front of each chapter though, but slipping it in there occasionally is totally acceptable.
Some readers are also fast thinkers and might grasp the concept you're trying to go with when they notice slight foreshadowing at the front of each chapter. That might also ruin the book for them.
P.S: This dosen't apply to all readers, I'm just speaking from my view point. I hope I was able to answer your question
Ghost wrote: Hi! I am a relatively new writer, and I'm working on a new book, but I'm having some trouble. It's a fantasy book, and I am formatting the first chapter in a letter to Earth. I would love to have a beta reader to look over my story ideas and to help me with some stuff I'm having trouble with. The story is about a world where most people have powers that contradict their personalities. It is very rare to have powers that match your personality in this world, around a 1% chance. Hi I'm relatively new to the Goodreads website but I have started reading long before I discovered the Goodreads website. I would like to be a beta reader for your book because I also like making stories(haven't gotten around to putting them down yet).
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