what is the very first step to writing a book?

See the very first step to writing is to know what to write. Not even knowing how to write. If you know , say for example a story, to write you should start making preparations.

Schooling of course helps in creative writing. as far as contests are concerned I see no problem in them too. You may well start with them. Sarah Waters' a 2 times booker Prize award winner, first book came out of her PhD thesis.

If your school or whatvever has a creative writing competition that may help to flow your creative juics. So I think yes, definitely....

TW K

Not the title.

First, the idea. It could be a plot or a character to build a plot around. It needn't be a complex plot--just boy meets girl, they have the usual struggles to mesh, but finally they do.

Second, pick a setting. If it is a foreign one, research it first.

Third, make up a few more characters central to the plot--friends. parents, relatives, ex-boyfriends, etc. Make them well -rounded but not as detailed as the two main characters.

Fourth, figure out dialogue. Are the protagonists educated, do they speak in regional accents?

Fifth, figure out when the plot ends--on a cliff-hanger? When they get married, or when they have their first kid? Or simply describe him going off to work after the honeymoon. Or any number of endings that you can visualize.

You could start off with short story contests, or short short story contests. But a short story, well-crafted, is harder work sometimes than writing a book--you have to condense, condense, condense. Pick the incidents that will move the action and work to the best resolution, keep description to a minimum.

First, you need the plot. You can take a writing class in school (if your school has one). Don't be bothered if you can't think of the beginning of it. Some authors write the end and work their way to the beginning. A lot of times, a plot or beginning of a story just fall from the sky, into your head, when you least expect it.

I'll give you my first 3.

Step 1: Stumble out of bed and head for the PC, kicking cats and children out of the way.

Step 2: Get enough written down that the idea stays fixed in head.

Step 3: Make coffee while trying to ignore those offended in step 1.

Writing a Novel Synopsis

http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.html

How to Write a 'Darned Good' Novel

http://www.write101.com/dgnovel.htm

http://secretgeek.net/nonwriter.asp

7 tips for writing a novel

Getting started on that novel you've always wanted to write. Some tips that may help you.

http://tn.essortment.com/novelwritingti_rsim.htm

Eight Tips to Write Your Novel Faster

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2190/eigh...

Making Time to Write a Novel

http://www.howtobooks.co.uk/leisure/writing/write-...

Before you write a book, make sure you can write properly formed sentences. You wouldn't believe how many would-be writers neglect this. It's like trying to build a house without any knowledge of structuring one.

My guess would be learning a language.