Making an attempt to write a book.
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Well hello!
I've never planned on writing a book but I do read alot of fiction so I guess I can give a bit of advice.
I think one of the most important aspects of any fiction isn't the setting or even the plot, it's the characters who inhabit the world you create for them. The characters you create can make or break your story. That can be harder to do in a Fantasy book though because they tend to focus more on adding depth to the world rather than the characters.
That's fine to a point but if you can create some complex, deep, life-like characters than that really helps.
An example I can think of is the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horrowitz. I used to really enjoy his books but by the fourth or fifth novel the character of Alex was very boring and utterly unbelievable... he was James Bond but in the form of a perpetual 15 year old.. this as well as the lack of real depth and emotional complexity just killed the series for me because he was a boring person.
I then began reading the Cherub series by Robert Muchamore. 7 or so books later I'm still eager for more because the characters are so interesting that you really do want to know what they do each day and how they relate to other characters.
I've ranted longer than I wanted but what I really do want to stress is if you can make the reader like, become intrigued by, and empathise with the characters (which requires you basically abandon as many cliches as humanly possible when it comes to the main characters)
then they will want to read on.
Best of luck, and one last thought: " There is no such thing as an aspiring writer, you either are or you aren't." That might be a comforting thought.
I've never planned on writing a book but I do read alot of fiction so I guess I can give a bit of advice.
I think one of the most important aspects of any fiction isn't the setting or even the plot, it's the characters who inhabit the world you create for them. The characters you create can make or break your story. That can be harder to do in a Fantasy book though because they tend to focus more on adding depth to the world rather than the characters.
That's fine to a point but if you can create some complex, deep, life-like characters than that really helps.
An example I can think of is the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horrowitz. I used to really enjoy his books but by the fourth or fifth novel the character of Alex was very boring and utterly unbelievable... he was James Bond but in the form of a perpetual 15 year old.. this as well as the lack of real depth and emotional complexity just killed the series for me because he was a boring person.
I then began reading the Cherub series by Robert Muchamore. 7 or so books later I'm still eager for more because the characters are so interesting that you really do want to know what they do each day and how they relate to other characters.
I've ranted longer than I wanted but what I really do want to stress is if you can make the reader like, become intrigued by, and empathise with the characters (which requires you basically abandon as many cliches as humanly possible when it comes to the main characters)
then they will want to read on.
Best of luck, and one last thought: " There is no such thing as an aspiring writer, you either are or you aren't." That might be a comforting thought.
You aren't qualified to write a book until you have read at least 3 great novels, all of which are over 50 years old.
I've probably read 60 books that are 50+ years old lolUncompetative said:
Whether they're great or not is someone else's opinion.
I too am 15 and aspire to write... shame I don't have the time, the money, the nerves or the balls.
I like to think my ideas are good, though I keep tweaking them because I begin to hate them. At least I'm making them a little better every time.
The thing you've got to remember is, you shouldn't be writing a book that you, and only you, like. Why? Because nobody would buy it. To start off with I doubt anyone will publish it either.
Just out of curiousity, whats the book about?
I like to think my ideas are good, though I keep tweaking them because I begin to hate them. At least I'm making them a little better every time.
The thing you've got to remember is, you shouldn't be writing a book that you, and only you, like. Why? Because nobody would buy it. To start off with I doubt anyone will publish it either.
Just out of curiousity, whats the book about?
Perhaps so you could be courteous, as that facilitates intelligent discussion?the captain said:
Whatever story you decide on, as an inside reference make sure it includes reference to the Escapist 
. I actually have a lot of story ideas, but I won't tell you any because I'm a selfish git...
Just kidding. Seriously though, I do have plenty of ideas, but the best story will be from an idea you create yourself. That isn't to say you can't take ideas from other places. One of the greatest recent writers I've seen, our very own British guy Phillip Pullman, said this when talking about his His Dark Materials trilogy (note that it isn't the Golden Compass, sorry to rant but it needs to be known that it's a British film and story and should be referred to by the proper British title. /rant):
"I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read. My principle in researching for a novel is 'read like a butterfly, write like a bee'."
Credit where credit is due, of course, but no story that I have read in a long time has been written without considerable factors being taken from other works of fiction, or indeed, non-fiction. Just make sure that you don't completely steal ideas, since creativity and innovation are important qualities in a writer and whatever story you come up with should still be your own idea. As long as sparkly vampires aren't involved. And I actually liked Twilight, apart from that one thing...
As a guy who tried to write before, in fact when I was your age myself (about 3 years ago), I can definitely say that you mustn't give up. I managed to write about one and a half chapters of a novel I attempted to create before giving up because I felt it wasn't good enough. Luckily, on my next project (a screenplay) I finished it despite having the exact same feelings. However, make sure that if you intend to do this, then don't give up whenever things go wrong. Just pick yourself up and start writing again, and things will turn out alright.
Before writing, as well, plan the story out and make sure you have enough of a story to fill an entire novel and yet not become boring. A lot of stories I've read got boring when it became apparent halfway through that the story wasn't thick enough for the book itself and the author dragged things out. For brilliant examples of authors who are able to bulk out a relatively short story to make books bigger, without becoming boring, I refer you to the excellent author Ian Irvine, although you may find his novels a bit too bulky and long (I know I did at first, although he is a great favourite writer of mine). Also, prepare a first draft of the manuscript then ask people to read it. Some companies will, for a fee, read through the manuscript and proof read it, and tell you problems, where you've gone wrong and what can be improved. No author has ever, to my knowledge, managed to produce a finished manuscript on their first copy. If you don't want to pay then ask friends, family, and maybe your English teacher to look at it, and they'll tell you what's good and bad. Only send it (a copy, NEVER the original version) to a publisher when you feel it's ready and good enough for print. However, the publisher may still reject it, so you'll probably be best sending it to many different companies just to be sure and to get the best deal. They're still businesses looking for a profit, after all.
That's all I really have to say on the topic. Apologies for the lengthy response, I could probably have made it a bit shorter, but the advice is pretty useful and found from accounts by other authors in interviews, forewords, etc. Good luck, and I hope you do manage to write a great novel. Plus, if you do, you can send everyone on the Escapist a free signed first edition copy xD.
. I actually have a lot of story ideas, but I won't tell you any because I'm a selfish git...Just kidding. Seriously though, I do have plenty of ideas, but the best story will be from an idea you create yourself. That isn't to say you can't take ideas from other places. One of the greatest recent writers I've seen, our very own British guy Phillip Pullman, said this when talking about his His Dark Materials trilogy (note that it isn't the Golden Compass, sorry to rant but it needs to be known that it's a British film and story and should be referred to by the proper British title. /rant):
"I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read. My principle in researching for a novel is 'read like a butterfly, write like a bee'."
Credit where credit is due, of course, but no story that I have read in a long time has been written without considerable factors being taken from other works of fiction, or indeed, non-fiction. Just make sure that you don't completely steal ideas, since creativity and innovation are important qualities in a writer and whatever story you come up with should still be your own idea. As long as sparkly vampires aren't involved. And I actually liked Twilight, apart from that one thing...
As a guy who tried to write before, in fact when I was your age myself (about 3 years ago), I can definitely say that you mustn't give up. I managed to write about one and a half chapters of a novel I attempted to create before giving up because I felt it wasn't good enough. Luckily, on my next project (a screenplay) I finished it despite having the exact same feelings. However, make sure that if you intend to do this, then don't give up whenever things go wrong. Just pick yourself up and start writing again, and things will turn out alright.
Before writing, as well, plan the story out and make sure you have enough of a story to fill an entire novel and yet not become boring. A lot of stories I've read got boring when it became apparent halfway through that the story wasn't thick enough for the book itself and the author dragged things out. For brilliant examples of authors who are able to bulk out a relatively short story to make books bigger, without becoming boring, I refer you to the excellent author Ian Irvine, although you may find his novels a bit too bulky and long (I know I did at first, although he is a great favourite writer of mine). Also, prepare a first draft of the manuscript then ask people to read it. Some companies will, for a fee, read through the manuscript and proof read it, and tell you problems, where you've gone wrong and what can be improved. No author has ever, to my knowledge, managed to produce a finished manuscript on their first copy. If you don't want to pay then ask friends, family, and maybe your English teacher to look at it, and they'll tell you what's good and bad. Only send it (a copy, NEVER the original version) to a publisher when you feel it's ready and good enough for print. However, the publisher may still reject it, so you'll probably be best sending it to many different companies just to be sure and to get the best deal. They're still businesses looking for a profit, after all.
That's all I really have to say on the topic. Apologies for the lengthy response, I could probably have made it a bit shorter, but the advice is pretty useful and found from accounts by other authors in interviews, forewords, etc. Good luck, and I hope you do manage to write a great novel. Plus, if you do, you can send everyone on the Escapist a free signed first edition copy xD.
Double post, sorry...
How powerful is an ICBM exactly? i'm not sure myself but could it take out the entirety of Iraq? or would more be needed?
It's actually crucial to the introduction.
Actually, nevermind.. this is where time skips come in handy =3
Anyways, editing this time... This is my introduction thus far, not yet done.
Introduction
It is the 18th year of the new age, An age brought upon at the year 2513 A.D., ushered in through a ground breaking discovery. More on that in a second, as there is history to cover?
It is unbeknownst to us for sure as to how Earth harbored sentient life. It is even more unknown to us as to how human life developed as the one being blessed with the gifts of reason, thought, and logic. Though something all too well known by anything, whether it be human, insect, amphibian, fish, or mammal, is war? War and bloodshed.
Spanning through the earliest recorded histories, from the rule of Gilgamesh in Mesopotamia to Alexander the great, and spanning to Caesar of the Romans as far ahead into the presidency of George W. Bush; the history of humanity has been a fine stew, garnished with violence and spiced with death.
In the year 2012, The war between America and Iraq had escalated to the point of no return. Feelings of Bigotry, Greed, Selfishness, Pride, hastiness, and above all: stupidity had seeped into conflict, leading to the inevitable call for nuclear arms.
On the night of 9/11, 2012, an oddly appropriate date, the bombers flew in and for a while let hell rain upon Baghdad. Soon enough, all sight of them was lost, and in a few hours things had calmed down? Then it happened?
A lone drop of liquid fell from the sky, and then another? The sky was suddenly clouded, only a small hole in the dark gray from which anyone that night could have seen a beautiful full moon. ASH had begun to fall?
ASH, the newest in government funded biological weaponry. The second the first drop fell, it would be over for anyone within a continents distance. This was the maiden voyage for ASH, and it had worked wonderfully, exceeding all expectations. Dropped by any kind of air craft, a rather volatile and highly classified chemical is dropped in a control amount. This chemical slowly disperses into the air, rising through the atmosphere until it reaches the ozone to undergo a frightening chemical reaction? Using knowledge of weather patterns and controlled amounts, the reaction then quickly spreads from the point of release and can span for miles? The product of this reaction is a highly corrosive and highly flammable acid that rains down in great quantities wherever the reaction should spread? Over the next few days, the death count had sky rocketed as Iraq became a bloodbath littered in flames? The weapon itself is not without its risks, as it literally eats ozone? But regardless, with the support of the rest of the world, the US had taken the last step in ending a war that should have never been fought?
It'll be continued, as i'm still somewhat far off from getting into the actual story o.o
How powerful is an ICBM exactly? i'm not sure myself but could it take out the entirety of Iraq? or would more be needed?
It's actually crucial to the introduction.
Actually, nevermind.. this is where time skips come in handy =3
Anyways, editing this time... This is my introduction thus far, not yet done.
Introduction
It is the 18th year of the new age, An age brought upon at the year 2513 A.D., ushered in through a ground breaking discovery. More on that in a second, as there is history to cover?
It is unbeknownst to us for sure as to how Earth harbored sentient life. It is even more unknown to us as to how human life developed as the one being blessed with the gifts of reason, thought, and logic. Though something all too well known by anything, whether it be human, insect, amphibian, fish, or mammal, is war? War and bloodshed.
Spanning through the earliest recorded histories, from the rule of Gilgamesh in Mesopotamia to Alexander the great, and spanning to Caesar of the Romans as far ahead into the presidency of George W. Bush; the history of humanity has been a fine stew, garnished with violence and spiced with death.
In the year 2012, The war between America and Iraq had escalated to the point of no return. Feelings of Bigotry, Greed, Selfishness, Pride, hastiness, and above all: stupidity had seeped into conflict, leading to the inevitable call for nuclear arms.
On the night of 9/11, 2012, an oddly appropriate date, the bombers flew in and for a while let hell rain upon Baghdad. Soon enough, all sight of them was lost, and in a few hours things had calmed down? Then it happened?
A lone drop of liquid fell from the sky, and then another? The sky was suddenly clouded, only a small hole in the dark gray from which anyone that night could have seen a beautiful full moon. ASH had begun to fall?
ASH, the newest in government funded biological weaponry. The second the first drop fell, it would be over for anyone within a continents distance. This was the maiden voyage for ASH, and it had worked wonderfully, exceeding all expectations. Dropped by any kind of air craft, a rather volatile and highly classified chemical is dropped in a control amount. This chemical slowly disperses into the air, rising through the atmosphere until it reaches the ozone to undergo a frightening chemical reaction? Using knowledge of weather patterns and controlled amounts, the reaction then quickly spreads from the point of release and can span for miles? The product of this reaction is a highly corrosive and highly flammable acid that rains down in great quantities wherever the reaction should spread? Over the next few days, the death count had sky rocketed as Iraq became a bloodbath littered in flames? The weapon itself is not without its risks, as it literally eats ozone? But regardless, with the support of the rest of the world, the US had taken the last step in ending a war that should have never been fought?
It'll be continued, as i'm still somewhat far off from getting into the actual story o.o
Like others have said, planning is important.
I write a page of notes on each of my characters (what they are like as a person, not so much as a physical description because that's less important) and put that on my wall. Then I write out little cards of certain events that MUST happen (after writing an outline) and then write some notes about each of those and then I can play with ordering, deciding this should lead to that, this bit doesn't really fit with the rest of the story so get rid of it, if I changed that slightly then I could move that here, etc. I find it helpful to have everything laid out around me on the walls, not only does it serve as a constant reminder to pull my finger out and do something but it's less likely I'll miss a certain point I was trying to make if I'm flicking in between Word documents or notebooks.
Plus you get the added cool factor of having your office look like the centre of an FBI manhunt with notes and strings and bits of stuff tacked everywhere
I write a page of notes on each of my characters (what they are like as a person, not so much as a physical description because that's less important) and put that on my wall. Then I write out little cards of certain events that MUST happen (after writing an outline) and then write some notes about each of those and then I can play with ordering, deciding this should lead to that, this bit doesn't really fit with the rest of the story so get rid of it, if I changed that slightly then I could move that here, etc. I find it helpful to have everything laid out around me on the walls, not only does it serve as a constant reminder to pull my finger out and do something but it's less likely I'll miss a certain point I was trying to make if I'm flicking in between Word documents or notebooks.
Plus you get the added cool factor of having your office look like the centre of an FBI manhunt with notes and strings and bits of stuff tacked everywhere
I too am writing a book. And I too am also 15. And... I got nothing. All I can say is don't get side tracked. It sucks when you forget about your book to go do something else major (e.g. make an RPG). Which happened to me. Luckily, my teachers are supportive and are trying to get me back on the write track (heh, did you see what I did there? Write... lol). ANYWAY, yeah, if you ever need some ideas or criticism just PM me.
Also, don't be afraid of re-writing. If you get through the first draft, you might find yourself reading stuff you don't remember putting in there, and usually revision can be cathartic.
-You don't have to capitalize words after a comma.
-You use ellipses a lot.
Nothing you have to change; I'm just pointing it out.
-You use ellipses a lot.
Nothing you have to change; I'm just pointing it out.
The Fellowship of the RingUncompetative said:
The Two Towers
The Return of the King.
I win.
But I agree, you can't write a good book until you read a good book.
*EDIT*
Well, the line about "the second the first drop fell" is a little awkward to me. You might consider changing "second" to "moment", since second (number) and second (unit of time) are hymonoyms (spelling?). It confused me at first, and broke the relative flow of the piece.Zahri said:
More to come once I stop being a lazy muckraker.
I'm sorry, but I don't regard those as great novels. I also meant 3 as in 3 different authors, as there is a tendency to adopt the style of whoever you last read. So, pick one Russian, one French and one American, for example. I don't want to mention specific books because that will just derail the thread into which 3 books are best to read for a wannabe novelist.Flying-Emu said: