Writing a book/novel

[Beautiful End]

Ok, so I'll get to the point. I like the idea of writing a novel and make a living out of that. Novels like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games have inspired me to do so. Heck, even Twilight, though I don't see that as a role model novel.
And yes, I've read many, many other books. Not just the "popular" ones.

Anyway, I've always had a passion for creating stories and characters and settings and the sort. I think I got a good idea for a story and I think it would make an interesting fiction book. Problem is, I don't know where to start.

I'm an artist, first and foremost, and while I'd love to get my foot in the gaming industry, it seems like it will take some time to get there. In the meantime, focusing on writing a book sounds like a good plan. Or even a hobby, if you will.

So my question is: what would an average person need to do to even consider writing a book? How do you start? Who do you contact? How do you go about it? And so many other questions I haven't even considered! HELP!

Edit: No, I don't have an English or Literature major. But that shouldn't be an inconvenience because I don't plan on writing a book with my pretty crayon and running to Barnes and Nobles, set it on a shelf and sell it. Well, you catch my drift..

 

[Lilani]

So my question is: what would an average person need to do to even consider writing a book? How do you start? Who do you contact? How do you go about it? And so many other questions I haven't even considered! HELP!

Edit: No, I don't have an English or Literature major. But that shouldn't be an inconvenience because I don't plan on writing a book with my pretty crayon and running to Barnes and Nobles, set it on a shelf and sell it. Well, you catch my drift..

I'm also an aspiring writer, and since you've already said here that taking writing classes wouldn't be an inconvenience, I highly recommend that you do so. Seek out creative writing classes. You may already have good instincts for creating characters and worlds and whatever, but taking classes will hone these instincts and give you a toolbox full of resources to enhance your writing and think about things you could never have imagined. Plus, you will experience what you should be pretty familiar with as an artist--critique of your work. And if you haven't experienced critique, then that experience is even more valuable to seek out.

You don't have to get a master's degree. I'm getting a bachelor of fine arts majoring in computer animation, and the mere two creative writing classes I took as electives did wonders for my approach to writing, and not only that I was able to network with a teacher who I can continue to keep in contact with and seek out if ever I've got problems. That's the other great benefit to taking a formal class--networking with people who are in the field. Because people who teach writing are pretty much always writers themselves, so they know what it's like to want to write something amazing, and how to cope with that fear of trying to get published. They can give you advice that is more in-depth and useful than anything you will hear from us random people on the Internet.

Good luck, fellow creator!

 

[BrassButtons]

-Write. A lot. I'd recommend starting with short stories--they let you get a handle on things like pacing and narrative arcs. They also give you nice, small projects that you can accomplish relatively easily, which is good for when you're just starting out. Massive projects like novels can cause serious burn-out, which is bad when you're just starting.

-Give yourself permission to write badly. It's guaranteed to happen, and the sooner you accept that the better off you'll be.

-Do research. You've heard the saying "write what you know?" Well it's true--but unless you're writing an autobiography, there are probably things you're going to write about that you don't know very well. So go learn them.

 

[Batou667]

Start small. Write many short stories, or even just single paragraphs to illustrate a setting, character, or a particular mood.

Your first attempt will NOT be the finished product. Accept this before you embark on this journey!

Once you start getting good, find writing communities where you can ask for critique. Don't worry, nobody will "steal" your ideas, in fact I can almost guarantee your ideas will have been done before. It's the individual flair and writing style you bring that will make your story sink or swim.

Eventually you may want to approach a publisher when you're far enough along the process. If your stuff is pure dynamite they may show interest (and even if not, they might have some helpful advice - but you should find this stuff out for yourself first anyway, visit some publishers websites for submission guidelines). Self-publishing is also an option, if you're *desperate* to get your stuff in print and aren't too fussed about it being nothing more than a sleeper hit at best, or a financial flop at worst. I had a friend who had looked into self-publishing and apparently you can get small print-runs starting at a few thousand pounds/dollars.

Anyway, best of luck, and start small!

Captcha: full stop. Yeah, don't forget your punctuation.

 

[G3]

Well, I did that. It's a really, really interesting journey. Can't encourage you enough to take a shot at it.

Want help?

 

[MtnGamer]

A background in literature and English isn't always necessary. Many authors have relied on their personal life experience, multiple jobs, and unique insights that lend themselves to an authors perspective and writing.

Louis L'Amour is often panned because he was seen as a generic western writer, yet he can write novels centered in the forests, deserts, bayous, and foreign cities partly because he keeps it simple and because he has worked as lumberjack, longshoreman, miner, worked on a freighter, and served on a tank crew in WWII. He has studied gunslinger biographies, and doesn't try to add anything that is unbelievable. His stories are easy to pick up and are not too difficult to follow which is why he still has a large following today(his books are still the first to be picked through at our local library book sales).

With that in mind, what I suggest is starting by keeping it simple (conversations, localities, storyline), and try to use your life experience to add realistic flavor. Even if it is a work of science fiction, it helps to keep it grounded and familiar to the reader.

I would also suggest not letting in too much outside help. Too many hands can disorient a writer and a script. Write your story, and use peer review to clean up confusing plot points and poor conversations.

 

[senordesol]

Come up with a premise, outline a story, begin writing, skip blocks where neccessary, rewrite what you have, fill in blocks, rewrite everything, get critqued, rewrite everything again, find an editor -- get edited, edit the edits.

With regard to publishing; that's a tad harder. I went with eBook only, but traditional publishing is still probably the best way to sell copies quickly. For that, you're going to want a literary agent as pitching to publishers sight-unseen doesn't work out most of the time. A traditional publisher will also handle the publishing costs (i.e. editing, cover, and publicity).

The advice to start small is also something worth considering. I 'started' big, and the thing's a burden --particularly for an unknown author. Starting with things to just get your name out that don't really matter if it succeeds or fails is probably a smart way to go.

...and since I can't resist: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BVG1394

^That's a year's worth of work and a couple thousand bucks to self-publish. It is possible, but very difficult...in either direction.

Best of luck.