How to begin writng a fiction novel?

[Ladyrt23]

I write in my blog daily. I have an idea of what topic I want my book to cover. I just don't know how to bring it together. How can I piece things together to create a story?

[Maeve]

I write in my blog daily. I have an idea of what topic I want my book to cover. I just don't know how to bring it together. How can I piece things together to create a story?

If your purpose is to write fiction, I think you need to have a story in mind to begin with. Non-fiction begins with a topic, but fiction begins with at least the kernel of a story.

Consider this definition of the novel:
an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.

Are you thinking of compiling your blog entries into a book?

Maybe you could expand your question a bit.

[Ladyrt23]

Yes, I'm thinking of using alot of material that I've posted in my blogs. I don't want to make an autobiography but I do want the story to reflect my past on a particular subject. I have a topic, so where should I go from there?

[Maeve]

Ladyrt23,

The first thing you need to do is think more about your book.

Who's your audience?

What is the book about?

"Topic" doesn't tell me anything.

If it truly is a novel you want to write and not a memoir, you need to think about the characters who will inhabit your fictional world and act out the story you want to tell.

It seems to me from your brief emails that you have not thought the project out.

Have a look at Randy Ingermanson's site (http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php) where he describes his "snowflake method" for writing a novel. It may help you get started.
Good luck.

[Ladyrt23]

Yesterday, I decided to google the net so I could target the perfect genre. Considering what most of my blogs refer to, I decided it would be about romance. My major concern is creating the perfect dialogue. I read a few tips and it stated that you shouldn't write like you speak. So I'm gonna buy a book referring to dialogue and how to write romance novels. I've also decided to read romantic novels by authors from different cultures. I want to be versatile, however I know you should create characters that you're familiar with. So far, I have my topic. My audience is targeted towards people of my age and culture since the story is a reflection of my past experiences. Right now, I am trying to figure out the plot. So like you said, I haven't totally thought it out but I'm trying to start at the basics. Until then, I'll continue writing daily in my blog.

Thanks for responding again!!!

[Maeve]

Sounds like a good plan. It's always a good idea to read widely in your targeted genre. As for reading books about writing, you needn't limit yourself to reading books specifically about romance writing. Sol Stein, Stephen King, John Gardner and the other pros all have helpful tips that apply to any genre.

[Ladyrt23]

You're right about not limiting myself to one specific genre. In the future,I will read about other genres. Fantasy will probably be next. Look at the lady who wrote the Harry Potter Books...lol. Like I said before, I want to be versatile in my writing. However, if I become a "bestseller author", it'll probably be due to my romance books. So I'm ready to get started. I'm starting my research as of tonight. By the way, I checked out Randy's site and I'm going to adopt some of his techniques. Thanks a bunch. If there is anything else you'd like to inform me on, please feel free.

[Silke]

Two words for you:

WHAT IF...

That's what starts it all for me.

Also, if you read a lot of romance, then you know how they are structured, and most likely you will do best with writing what you love to read.

Silke - who has way too many unfinished "What if's..." hanging around!

[Ladyrt23]

What are some of your unfinished "what ifs" ? How should I use the "what if" advice?

[charteris]

I write a lot of non-fiction, but to get started writing a novel, one of the things I have done is to take an inexpensive online course in fiction writing. It's only $79 and takes you through the process of developing the story and characters, defining the dramatic elements, etc. I am finding it very helpful. Check your local vo-tech school or ed2go.com.

[--Deb]

"What if" IS the question. Just about every good story starts with some kind of variation on that ... it places the crux of the plot squarely in your sights.

Of course, I primarily like reading STORIES, where the plot is kind of crucial, rather than stream-of-consciousness kind of books that meander around. Those don't necessarily have a "what if" at all, and on the rare occasions I read them, it drives me nuts, because I'm always waiting for a plot to raise its hand, and it never does...

--Deb

[Ladyrt23]

I'll have to check that out. So far, I've purchased a book about dialogue. As of right now, I'm juggling my thoughts. I'm caught up in between a fiction story and a memoir. I figure I'm not a discovered writer, so I doubt people would want to hear my story. However, Karrine Steffans (Superhead) was a first time novelist that wrote a memoir and it was a bestseller. However, people including myself only purchased it to read about what famous person she slept with. Nonetheless, I continue to write about how I feel each day in my blog. At the same time, I'm reading the self-help books to help inform me about the key basics of creating a novel. What are some topics that you've touched in writing fiction?

[Ali]

One of the best sites I've come across on writing fiction is Holly Lisle's: http://www.hollylisle.com/ -- she has a HUGE amount of free content available for writers, and gives solid professional advice.

The best book I've read is Nigel Watt's "Teach Yourself ... Writing a Novel" (http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Writing-Novel/dp/007147806X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213300656&sr=8-1) -- it's straightforward and clear, and fairly short, but covers a huge amount of ground.

Good luck!

Ali

[Ladyrt23]

I'll check that site out. With advice given, I'm thinking I might invest in a few classes. I've always done well with seminars for an example. Once I get the basics, I can always branch off and add to whatever they didn't cover.

[ginnieofarrell]

Probably the most useful guide I have used in planning and structuring my novel is from the Teach Yourself series - Writing A Novel, by Nigel Watts. An experienced and successful writer, Watts takes you through the whole planning and writing process, from the very basics (where and how you will write, how to build your writing muscles, etc) through to plot, sub-plot, character, dialogue, arcs within the plot, viewpoint, theme, style, and how to edit and redraft your work. There's even advice on finding support while you're going through this arduous and often lonely process - and how to market your book once you're done. I recommend it very highly - I have recently begun writing after almost a year of meticulous research and planning and am feeling very confident and content that I have all the groundwork firmly in place - after revising and restructuring twice, and throwing out around 8000 words that simply didn't work for me.
Keep practising (especially during 'thinking' patches) by writing other things - short magazine articles, short stories, etc - and see if you can get some of them in print. It's a big confidence boost to complete small projects while working on a seemingly endless huge one!

[Ladyrt23]

Congrats on starting your writing process. As a beginner, I've realized that you must research to make a great novel. I've just started researching and it's a pain. I told myself to start off small before trying to write my novel. So I decided during research for my novel, I'll write a short story on my theme. That'll help me to map out my story and create more plots along the way. It's ironic that you mentioned finishing a small project first. Thanks a bunch for the advice. Structured writing can be frustrating at times.

[charteris]

In the online course I am currently taking, we are covering the following topics:

Story structure
The dramatic elements
Character
Act 1: Hook, backstory, trigger
Act 2: Crisis, struggle and epiphany
Act 3: Plan, climax and ending
The story idea
The story outline
The long form

I am going to take an advanced course with the same instructor beginning in July. These are six week courses. The thing I like about the online courses is they provide some discipline for me so that I will actually DO the writing (there are two assignments per week). Otherwise, I have a hard time making it a priority.

[Silke]

You need to know what you want to write about, first. Blindly researching isn't going to get you far.
What if... is the first question I ask.
What if... someone fell of a bridge onto a horsedrawn cart and killed the driver?
What if... someone was set up at work to take the fall for some criminal activity?
Stuff like that.
The next questions would be... Who fell off the bridge? Who got set up? What are they doing about it?

Without knowing what you want to write about, or which genre, you will struggle to come up with a "What if" question. So first things first - pick a genre. Sure, we could feed you ideas all day long, but that wouldn't get you writing the whole book, because you'd get stuck.
My what if's are personal to me, yours should be personal to you. I don't know your experiences, your life story, the joys and knocks. I know mine, that's what I draw on.
So for me to tell you "You could write a story about a racehorse." which might be an easy thing for me to write, but if you have no experience with any horses, it wouldn't do you much good, would it?

Hope it helps.

[Ladyrt23]

I know my genre. I'm not blindly researching anything beacuse I'm reading books that can make my writing more effective. Now I won't kid you, I need to sit down and plan out my entire story. That would make a big difference rather than keeping my characters stuck in my head. Thanks for explaining the "what if" concept. That'll be very helpful towards my writing. You're definitley right about sticking with what you know. My book on a "Pie O My" (Soprano Lovers) would definitely flop.

[Silke]

Sorry, I should have clarified. :)
I meant blindly researching topics, not writing itself. That bit is good. :)

So you have characters? What do they want?
Do they want out of your head? Do they want out badly enough that they keep you awake at night and make you sneak pieces of paper into the toilet at work to scribble down a bit of dialogue just because you HAVE to get them to shut the hell up?
That's what mine do. I get no peace. Not in the shower, not while cooking, driving, walking to work, working... not even on the "throne".
While most people will laugh about this and say "I wish I had that problem", let me explain that it's not always fun. It's like having someone live in your brain and they are noisy, inconsiderate and completely distracting. While yeah, it's fun when I can sit down and write, it's not when I'm in the middle of a business meeting and somewhere in the back of my brain there is incessant ranting. :)
(It has happened... And yeah, it was a very boring meeting and the mind wandered...)
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is this: If you have characters bouncing around in your head, then you can start by finding out what they want. ASK them. Disassociate yourself with that voice and treat it like a person. Ask the character specific questions, find out about them. Somewhere along the line they will tell you what they want. What their story is. Their goal.
Do a search on GMC (Goal / Motivation / Conflict) and find out what you need to know about those three. They are the most important thing in your story, because without them... you don't really have a story.

Goal = What is the ultimate thing your main character wants the most?
Motivation = What drives the character to achieve that goal?
Conflict = Which obstacles does the character have to overcome to achieve the goal?

Best,

Silke

[Ladyrt23]

I didn't know it was like that. What stories have you come up with so far? You give good advice. Have you published a book yet? Are you still gathering plots for your characters? Explain to me the works of Silke.

[Silke]

Nothing published.
I'm very good at starting them - not so good at finishing them.