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Out of the few ambitions I have, I have one which I would like to achieve, well one that I would like to achieve and doesn't involve Britney Spears.
I would really like to write a book OK, now that you have recovered from fits of laughter, I am being serious.
I can't sing, well in tune anyway, I can't play football or should that be I don't and have never had the motivation to get off my backside and try. Finally and probably most importantly, I don't read books, my grammar is apppalling" and I struggle to write more than a few lines (which is obvioulsly going to be a hinerence)
As I have said though, this is a serious post and I would truly love to write a book and then have it published. I'm not talking novels here but more of a story, a fictional story based on true life experiences, something I have lots of.
I have toyed with the idea of writing a screenplay but as you can appreciate I am having enough trouble even starting to write a story.
So, I want to write a story, where do I begin? I have the idea and a general outline of the story (which I'll put below) but how do I transfer ideas and emotions from my brain (yes I do have one) to paper?
Questions, Questions, I have so may questions, How should story's start? Do I write a prelude or do I introduce the characters and situations during the story? How do you incorporate chapters?
Any help advice or information would be gratefully appreciated, as would any recommendations of Websites or Books?
Now below is a brief outline of the story and as you can see, I have a long way to go in turning this idea into a book, even into a story come to that.
The year is 1993, Jonathan is a thirteen year old boy growing up in a stereotypical northern town, dirty, depressive and suffering from extreme social and economical depravation.
Jonathan lives with his Mum, Step Dad and younger brothers, his farther died when he was 7 and his elder sister had left home at the same age Jonathon is now.
On the exterior Jonathon seems a quiet and naive, a teenager content with being what some people may call a loner, but then that's only the exterior.
Inside Jonathon is struggling with his personality. After years of abuse in a less than normal childhood, who is he is, why is here and more to the point how can he end the misery that torments him?
Now this is where the story really starts. After being expelled from school for the final time, Jonathon goes in to self destruct mode.
Jonathon then progress's through 3 rollercoaster years of trouble. He is sectioned under the mental health act, arrested on several occasions and narrowly avoids being detained in a secure children's unit.
Behind the glamour though of the of trouble in which Jonathon finds himself, the true Jonathon is slowly uncovered. Secrets from his childhood are revelled, Memories are finally layed to rest and Jonathon finally starts to live his life or does he?
My final question would be what are you aloud to include in print? I would obviously change names as the book is not entity based on truth but more fiction based around truth but what about taste and decency laws?
In regards with the latter I'm not going to write graphic scenes of sex or violence but as the story unfolds, it will include many events such as death, drug taking, sexual abuse and various criminal activities.
Thanks For any help and I will be grateful for any critical comments on the story outline (negative or positive).
I would really like to write a book OK, now that you have recovered from fits of laughter, I am being serious.
I can't sing, well in tune anyway, I can't play football or should that be I don't and have never had the motivation to get off my backside and try. Finally and probably most importantly, I don't read books, my grammar is apppalling" and I struggle to write more than a few lines (which is obvioulsly going to be a hinerence)
As I have said though, this is a serious post and I would truly love to write a book and then have it published. I'm not talking novels here but more of a story, a fictional story based on true life experiences, something I have lots of.
I have toyed with the idea of writing a screenplay but as you can appreciate I am having enough trouble even starting to write a story.
So, I want to write a story, where do I begin? I have the idea and a general outline of the story (which I'll put below) but how do I transfer ideas and emotions from my brain (yes I do have one) to paper?
Questions, Questions, I have so may questions, How should story's start? Do I write a prelude or do I introduce the characters and situations during the story? How do you incorporate chapters?
Any help advice or information would be gratefully appreciated, as would any recommendations of Websites or Books?
Now below is a brief outline of the story and as you can see, I have a long way to go in turning this idea into a book, even into a story come to that.
The year is 1993, Jonathan is a thirteen year old boy growing up in a stereotypical northern town, dirty, depressive and suffering from extreme social and economical depravation.
Jonathan lives with his Mum, Step Dad and younger brothers, his farther died when he was 7 and his elder sister had left home at the same age Jonathon is now.
On the exterior Jonathon seems a quiet and naive, a teenager content with being what some people may call a loner, but then that's only the exterior.
Inside Jonathon is struggling with his personality. After years of abuse in a less than normal childhood, who is he is, why is here and more to the point how can he end the misery that torments him?
Now this is where the story really starts. After being expelled from school for the final time, Jonathon goes in to self destruct mode.
Jonathon then progress's through 3 rollercoaster years of trouble. He is sectioned under the mental health act, arrested on several occasions and narrowly avoids being detained in a secure children's unit.
Behind the glamour though of the of trouble in which Jonathon finds himself, the true Jonathon is slowly uncovered. Secrets from his childhood are revelled, Memories are finally layed to rest and Jonathon finally starts to live his life or does he?
My final question would be what are you aloud to include in print? I would obviously change names as the book is not entity based on truth but more fiction based around truth but what about taste and decency laws?
In regards with the latter I'm not going to write graphic scenes of sex or violence but as the story unfolds, it will include many events such as death, drug taking, sexual abuse and various criminal activities.
Thanks For any help and I will be grateful for any critical comments on the story outline (negative or positive).
Page:
Smooth Criminal wrote:
> Go for it mate.
Good advice there...
(no I'm being serious)
Go for it, and have belief that you can do it.
> Go for it mate.
Good advice there...
(no I'm being serious)
Go for it, and have belief that you can do it.
I think the best advice is write. Just get something down - working out structures, plot summaries, character descriptions etc are kind of like writing revision timetables - you spend more time on that then writing.
There is a big fantasy that if you are a writer then the muse will come upon you, inspiration will hit and you will write your first Pulitzer winning prize novel in one long outpouring.
The reality is that the muse often doesn't return your phone call, you are confronted by a blank screen and then you just need to fill the space. Write anything, even if its just blah, blah what I ate for breakfast etc.
The quotes from Meka Dragon were spot on. David Niven the actor and novelist used to place his desk in front of a hedge so that he had nothing to look at. Even then he could spend hours watching the progress of a caterpillar.
Also if you read what most authors say about the process of writing they are incredibly disciplined. They work a full day, allowing breaks for lunch etc. But it is work. 90% of your output will be rubbish but thats where editing comes in. In fact it shouldn't be called writing but re-writing. That's what you spend most of your time doing.
I found going to a creative writing evening class really helped. Not so much other people's feedback but the discipline needed to actually make sure I had something new to read out. It made me work. I'm not a very good task master left to my own devices but if someone else is expecting it I get on with it.
If you don't fancy the idea of an evening class then maybe post it in the forums. I'm sure you'll get some intelligent feedback. These forums are populated by wannabee authors who would be encouraging and give useful feedback.
There's a brilliant quote about "Oppourtunity often comes disguised as hardwork which is why most people don't recognise it."
Just start writing and you'll be amazed at what comes out. You've got a good story outline you just need to start writing it.
I meanwhile am supposed to be writing something other than this.
Good luck
There is a big fantasy that if you are a writer then the muse will come upon you, inspiration will hit and you will write your first Pulitzer winning prize novel in one long outpouring.
The reality is that the muse often doesn't return your phone call, you are confronted by a blank screen and then you just need to fill the space. Write anything, even if its just blah, blah what I ate for breakfast etc.
The quotes from Meka Dragon were spot on. David Niven the actor and novelist used to place his desk in front of a hedge so that he had nothing to look at. Even then he could spend hours watching the progress of a caterpillar.
Also if you read what most authors say about the process of writing they are incredibly disciplined. They work a full day, allowing breaks for lunch etc. But it is work. 90% of your output will be rubbish but thats where editing comes in. In fact it shouldn't be called writing but re-writing. That's what you spend most of your time doing.
I found going to a creative writing evening class really helped. Not so much other people's feedback but the discipline needed to actually make sure I had something new to read out. It made me work. I'm not a very good task master left to my own devices but if someone else is expecting it I get on with it.
If you don't fancy the idea of an evening class then maybe post it in the forums. I'm sure you'll get some intelligent feedback. These forums are populated by wannabee authors who would be encouraging and give useful feedback.
There's a brilliant quote about "Oppourtunity often comes disguised as hardwork which is why most people don't recognise it."
Just start writing and you'll be amazed at what comes out. You've got a good story outline you just need to start writing it.
I meanwhile am supposed to be writing something other than this.
Good luck
I'm in the process of writing a novel, and the hardest thing is getting something down on paper/ screen.
A couple of quotes inspired me a little though.
Ernest Hemmingway said "The first draft is always (crap)" (had to edit that one)
Oscar Wilde said "I spent the morning putting a comma in, and the afternoon taking it out"
These made me realise that it's not easy, but I shouldn't be afraid to write it down. Once it's down on paper it's easier to play around with, flesh it out, and make it sound like you want to tell it.
Another thing I struggle with is just finding the time to get on with it. I'd love to write novels for a living, but I need the money from a job first to live, so don't have as much time as I'd like. Damn dirty vicious circle.
But go for it, that's what I say.
A couple of quotes inspired me a little though.
Ernest Hemmingway said "The first draft is always (crap)" (had to edit that one)
Oscar Wilde said "I spent the morning putting a comma in, and the afternoon taking it out"
These made me realise that it's not easy, but I shouldn't be afraid to write it down. Once it's down on paper it's easier to play around with, flesh it out, and make it sound like you want to tell it.
Another thing I struggle with is just finding the time to get on with it. I'd love to write novels for a living, but I need the money from a job first to live, so don't have as much time as I'd like. Damn dirty vicious circle.
But go for it, that's what I say.
I'll repeat what I said:
Get agent. Doesn't matter who or where, just get representation.
Don't take advice on what makes a good story etc or how to actually pace/plot blah blah blah, because then you'll find yourself not using ideas because you think they may not fit into a framework that doesn't exist.
Sample Chapter.
Synopsis
Publisher
And don't get frustrated with being told "Not right now, this isn't what we're looking for", because those in control know nothing.
Goes for books, movies and music.
They all wait for the next big thing and sign the 10 best imitators.
Don't imitate, be original.
I sound like Book-Yoda.
Sorry
Get agent. Doesn't matter who or where, just get representation.
Don't take advice on what makes a good story etc or how to actually pace/plot blah blah blah, because then you'll find yourself not using ideas because you think they may not fit into a framework that doesn't exist.
Sample Chapter.
Synopsis
Publisher
And don't get frustrated with being told "Not right now, this isn't what we're looking for", because those in control know nothing.
Goes for books, movies and music.
They all wait for the next big thing and sign the 10 best imitators.
Don't imitate, be original.
I sound like Book-Yoda.
Sorry
Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.
Some of my concerns now seem less of a worry all though I know It will still be an uphill struggle from here on.
Thinking positively however, I am going to try and concentrate on the first chapter and try to get a good footing, hoping the rest with follow.
As for my concern on censorship you all seem to agree that books are quite liberal in regards with there context.
Finally (and Hopefully) watch this space.
Some of my concerns now seem less of a worry all though I know It will still be an uphill struggle from here on.
Thinking positively however, I am going to try and concentrate on the first chapter and try to get a good footing, hoping the rest with follow.
As for my concern on censorship you all seem to agree that books are quite liberal in regards with there context.
Finally (and Hopefully) watch this space.
I would agree with most of the others about censorship, but I would steer clear of the timeline approach. For my English A-level, we all had to write the first chapter of what could be a novel, as part of the course.
My tutor was actually in the middle of negotiating with a publisher about her novel, and she had been trying for the best part of five years. What any publisher will tell you, is to submit the first chapter to them- about 10-20 pages- to review. They won't read a whole book, so don't bother writing the whole thing until you get a deal.
What they will be looking for is imaginative and creative writing, so you have to have a certain flair for this sort of thing already.
In writing the first chapter, they will be expecting to be introduced to the main character, and it wouldn't hurt if something interesting happened to him in the first chapter, that was illustrative of his personality. In other words, don't have your lead save the world in the first chapter if it's out of character.
Another good rule in writing the first chapter, because that's all you need to concern yourself with for the time being, is not to spill the beans. Leave the chapter on something of a cliffhanger, or in other words, make them want to read on. And it wouldn't be a bad idea if you mentioned something in passing without giving the whole story away. For example, if your character is beaten regularly by his step-father (I'm not saying he is, but just as an example), you might say: "The scars on Jonathon's arm still hadn't gone away" or something, and then the reader is thinking 'Why has he got scars on his arm? Has he been in a fight? Is he beaten at home? Did he fall down the stairs?', etc. The point is, they don't know, and if your writing is sharp enough, they will want to know. They will care about the character and everything that happens to him.
The last tip I would give is not to worry too much about the rest of the book beyond the first chapter. The best novels end up completely different to the author's original intentions, and this is a good thing. That way, you can interact with the character and decide what direction it will take. If you are going to make him do something regardless, it will look out of place and poorly written. So you'll need to read the book as if you were a publisher yourself, and you were reviewing someone else's effort. Would you give yourself a deal? Would you pay to read on?
These are just some of the tips you'll pick up on your way, so always be prepared to learn. And don't doubt yourself, because anyone can write a book- look how many do- and there is always an opportunity if you're good enough.
Best of luck.
My tutor was actually in the middle of negotiating with a publisher about her novel, and she had been trying for the best part of five years. What any publisher will tell you, is to submit the first chapter to them- about 10-20 pages- to review. They won't read a whole book, so don't bother writing the whole thing until you get a deal.
What they will be looking for is imaginative and creative writing, so you have to have a certain flair for this sort of thing already.
In writing the first chapter, they will be expecting to be introduced to the main character, and it wouldn't hurt if something interesting happened to him in the first chapter, that was illustrative of his personality. In other words, don't have your lead save the world in the first chapter if it's out of character.
Another good rule in writing the first chapter, because that's all you need to concern yourself with for the time being, is not to spill the beans. Leave the chapter on something of a cliffhanger, or in other words, make them want to read on. And it wouldn't be a bad idea if you mentioned something in passing without giving the whole story away. For example, if your character is beaten regularly by his step-father (I'm not saying he is, but just as an example), you might say: "The scars on Jonathon's arm still hadn't gone away" or something, and then the reader is thinking 'Why has he got scars on his arm? Has he been in a fight? Is he beaten at home? Did he fall down the stairs?', etc. The point is, they don't know, and if your writing is sharp enough, they will want to know. They will care about the character and everything that happens to him.
The last tip I would give is not to worry too much about the rest of the book beyond the first chapter. The best novels end up completely different to the author's original intentions, and this is a good thing. That way, you can interact with the character and decide what direction it will take. If you are going to make him do something regardless, it will look out of place and poorly written. So you'll need to read the book as if you were a publisher yourself, and you were reviewing someone else's effort. Would you give yourself a deal? Would you pay to read on?
These are just some of the tips you'll pick up on your way, so always be prepared to learn. And don't doubt yourself, because anyone can write a book- look how many do- and there is always an opportunity if you're good enough.
Best of luck.
This really is quite an inspiring topic really. I've always wanted to write a story and attempt to get it published, but just never had the time to find an agent or someone that can give it a read over. I can write, and I'm quite sure that I can write well (by no stretch of the imagination the best, but good, hopefully :D), so it's not ability that's a problem, but finding the feedback is difficult.
I'm sure that books are fairly low on censorship. If you want a rape scene in a book, they would probably allow it, where it may be a different story (excuse the pun) and it will have to be viewed by a censorship comittee etc.
Pingouin, that is a very good plot you have worked out for yourself there, and if you write it well, get it looked over by some professionals and follow it up like god-knows business, you could be onto a winner here.
Anyone got any ideas for a good plot to a story? In the slight chance that I write a story, I'll post it up here for you lot to read over, if that's Ok.
Good luck mate,
Pants
I'm sure that books are fairly low on censorship. If you want a rape scene in a book, they would probably allow it, where it may be a different story (excuse the pun) and it will have to be viewed by a censorship comittee etc.
Pingouin, that is a very good plot you have worked out for yourself there, and if you write it well, get it looked over by some professionals and follow it up like god-knows business, you could be onto a winner here.
Anyone got any ideas for a good plot to a story? In the slight chance that I write a story, I'll post it up here for you lot to read over, if that's Ok.
Good luck mate,
Pants
well, for a start I don't think you have to worry about laws about what can be in books etc. I'm no expert, but as far as I can see, people will have to buy the book to read it, therefore they are willingly exposing themselves to those scenes that are written about...
I'd write the story first and then worry about it...
As for the story side of things, how to start, chapters etc. I don't really know... Some books have chapters where the end of one chapter is a certain time, and the beginning of the next chapter is a few weeks/months/years down the line. But I would say the easiest way of thinking of it would be that the end of each chapter is kind of like the end of a episode of a TV series... you can end a chapter on a cliffhanger, at a time when a vital plot development has just occurred (ie. one chapter could end with the character being arrested, and the next start in the Police station) there are many different ways of doing it.
Anyway, I think the best thing you could do would be to try to set out some sort of structure... decide what is going to happen and in what sort of timescale, and put the things in order. Then decide where you think the best places to put chapter in would be...
After doing that you can always post it up on here and ask for some more advice. After that I'd start writing the first chapter or so... although the actual very start could be a problem, and is one I don't really know how to solve...
Anyway, hoped that helped, and maybe someone else will have some ideas on how to start off the book...
Good luck with it, and follow your dream.
I'd write the story first and then worry about it...
As for the story side of things, how to start, chapters etc. I don't really know... Some books have chapters where the end of one chapter is a certain time, and the beginning of the next chapter is a few weeks/months/years down the line. But I would say the easiest way of thinking of it would be that the end of each chapter is kind of like the end of a episode of a TV series... you can end a chapter on a cliffhanger, at a time when a vital plot development has just occurred (ie. one chapter could end with the character being arrested, and the next start in the Police station) there are many different ways of doing it.
Anyway, I think the best thing you could do would be to try to set out some sort of structure... decide what is going to happen and in what sort of timescale, and put the things in order. Then decide where you think the best places to put chapter in would be...
After doing that you can always post it up on here and ask for some more advice. After that I'd start writing the first chapter or so... although the actual very start could be a problem, and is one I don't really know how to solve...
Anyway, hoped that helped, and maybe someone else will have some ideas on how to start off the book...
Good luck with it, and follow your dream.
You can write whatever you want to, in whatever style you want to.
Books are fairly uncensored, as the idea is if you're intelligent enough to read for pleasure, then you're intelligent enough to not do stupid things.
Nothing wrong with wanting to write, nobody will laugh.
I would recommend an outline and sample chapter, needs only be the one or at the most, two.
Send it to literary agents, you can find them on the web by the hundreds.
Don't send direct to a publishing house as they only deal with signed authors.
So the 1st step is to flesh out the outline a bit more, sample chapter and synopsis in detail and just start hitting agents with an eye to representation.
You get taken more seriously, even if the agent is a no-name, it shows that others have a professional belief in your and you get noticed.
But the hardest part is writing.
Just go for it, write a short story and see how it comes out.
And give it to other people to read, ask for genuine comments.
Hell, write a short story and stick it here, we'll read it and offer serious comment.
I'd say the most important thing is to realise that there's no reason why you can't be an author.
Books are fairly uncensored, as the idea is if you're intelligent enough to read for pleasure, then you're intelligent enough to not do stupid things.
Nothing wrong with wanting to write, nobody will laugh.
I would recommend an outline and sample chapter, needs only be the one or at the most, two.
Send it to literary agents, you can find them on the web by the hundreds.
Don't send direct to a publishing house as they only deal with signed authors.
So the 1st step is to flesh out the outline a bit more, sample chapter and synopsis in detail and just start hitting agents with an eye to representation.
You get taken more seriously, even if the agent is a no-name, it shows that others have a professional belief in your and you get noticed.
But the hardest part is writing.
Just go for it, write a short story and see how it comes out.
And give it to other people to read, ask for genuine comments.
Hell, write a short story and stick it here, we'll read it and offer serious comment.
I'd say the most important thing is to realise that there's no reason why you can't be an author.
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