Does Anyone Know How To Write a Book?

I'm in the same problem as you. I don't no where to start, how to start even though i've had my own idea for years too.

I've been writing little bits here and there and thats helped a lot. But i'm juggling uni with writing as well so I don't have as much time. If you have time you could either set yourself daily targets, like 200 words per day or like you said get some help.

You can find people on the internet, they might want some sort of payment, but it's up to you whether you want to trust someone online with your story.

Why don't you take an online writing course or a writing course in a college? It depends how serious you are. Good luck anyway

From what I've learned by pure hardcore experience, there is no 1-2-3 formula for writing a book. There ARE helpful guidelines so you don't get lost, and suggestions and tips, but when it comes down to it, everyone ends up writing a book in their own way. I won't write a book like Stephen Ambrose does or like JK Rowling does - we're all different so our ways of writing a book will be different.

that being said, I think you should start by looking around for some books that are pretty close to what you want to pull off. Are you writing a historical fiction? Read some Walter Scott or Ann Rinaldi, some great historical authors. Are you writing a high fantasy? Read the Lord of the Rings book by JRR Tolkien. Basically, think about and/or write down what you want the book to look like when it's done and start searching online or your local library for books that are like that, whether by subject material, setting, plot, or genre - whichever seems most important to you. And yes, try more than one. I read a lot of different books for my latest one, that included some spy novels, fantasy novels, and nonfiction books about the Mafia. In a word, Stock Up on Your Reading!

Once you know what you want your novel to look like, basically just start working. You have all your materials out - so start planning out your plot. Where does this take place? Who are the main characters? What are their struggles? Why is the villain "the villain"? How do things turn out for the good guys? Summarize the plot of the book in a small paragraph (no more than 3 lines, for example.) Then start adding more details, while developing the main characters. If you want, you can even outline the entire book from Prologue to Epilogue.

Last BUT NOT LEAST, look around online. There are a TON of writing websites overflowing with all kind of tips on how to write a great book. Some of these include: novel-writing-help.com, fiction-writing.com, about.com, and dailywritingprompts.com. Look these up and you may find even more websites. Start joining the forums or sign up for a daily writing tip - they're almost always free!

Check out this website too: http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflak...

I pass judgement on a well e-book, identical to I could pass judgement on a well film. My quantity one rule is, if it makes me cry, it is handed my scan. I like books that make me suppose as regardless that the characters and their occasions are truly. I desire to overlook that I'm even studying. A well e-book is one who continues you up into the early hours of the morning. You uncover your self crying, shaking in worry or pleasure. Those are the books which might be "dermis breaking" in my view. So a few persons would possibly love Twilight, different's hate it. As lengthy because it made anyone, someplace get the ones chills and goosebumps, it is regarded a well e-book in my head. Well-written does not neccessarily imply it has to have colossal vocab and such a lot of main points you do not even recognise what is taking place, to me it simply implies that the creator is aware of what she or he is doing with their tale. Oh good, I'm rambling, so I'll quit. But well-nigh, a well e-book has to seize you through the hair and throw you into an international you under no circumstances knew existed and depart you awe-struck and confused whilst it is over.

First, think of a plot. You can go about this in different ways.

-Read the genre you want to write in

-Listen to music

-Take walks

-Incorporate your every day life into it

-Write down your dreams (Stephanie Meyer and JK Rowling both got their books from dreams they had)

Next, come up with your characters.

-Look at your friends. Do you like their personalities? Their looks?

-How do you want your main character to turn out?

-You need supporting characters too!

-Write down EVERYTHING you can think of about your character, even if you don't use the information

You need a setting.

-If it's on another planet/country, spend some time creating that planet/country and everything that goes with it. That includes what the creatures, plants, and nature are like. You need history and all that too! Make maps if you want.

-If it's in your town, come up with DIFFERENT names for the small businesses in town.

-It it's in a made up town, same thing as with the whole new planet/country. It's a lot smaller, but remember, pick a state so you have a climate. You also need history of that town/city.

Then, WRITE! Just write, write, write.

After that you edit. Editing is the longest part of this. You need to go through the story multiple times to get it right!

Good luck!

Stephen,

Here’s everything you’ll need to know in order to get your foot into the door of a literary agent and give yourself a chance. It’s not a guarantee, but it will help you in a lot of ways.

Remember that if you are a minor you can’t get into a binding contract without your parents or legal guardians consent. Literary agents and publishers will remind you of this.

Writing a book takes more than just sitting down and putting your idea into words. There are a lot of things that you have to consider.

Keep an eye out for spelling and grammar errors. When typing fast with fresh ideas in our heads, we tend to forget ourselves. Check and recheck your work. Editors are very expensive these days. When checking your work over, try not to put too much trust into Spell Check if you’re using MS-Word or any other writing program. Words can be spelled correctly but used in the wrong context. Spell Check will not find those as being an error.

You’ll need to know how to write an effective ‘query letter’ to a literary agent. The letter will also include a synopsis that will hold the interest of the agent, and want to make him or her ask for the first three chapters of your work. Never send a manuscript to a publisher or literary agent without querying first. There ‘are’ some publishers who will allow this, but you have to make sure you follow the guidelines for submitting to a Tee.

You’ll need to know how to format your manuscript. This includes the fonts (size and type) that most agents, editors, and publishers want. These are usually Courier New and Times New Roman (12 pt). Short stories and novels are formatted differently. You will need to follow submission guidelines just as they are laid down for your submissions. Anything less will result in your manuscript sent back or destroyed unread.

You will need to know what Point of View (POV) is. Know how to write in First Person Point of View. You’ll need to know the can and can not of each.

Do you know how to write dialogue? How to format dialogue? This is very important and allows the author and his/her characters to communicate with the reader. Remember dialect as well. Dialect is how a person speaks. Your characters may be highly educated or dumber than dishwater. ‘Ain’t got none’ is highly acceptable when used properly by a character who is even less than street smart. Keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to have two or more people speaking in the same paragraph. Each person speaking should have their own paragraph. Some may argue this point, but to be plain and simple, it’s not the right format. It’s confusing and it’s very amateurish looking.

It’s a good idea to know some of the publishing laws. The use of names and places.

These include:

o Delivery Of Satisfactory Copy

o Permission for Copyrighted Material

o Proofreading and Author's Corrections

Learn how to get a ‘word count of your work. Some novels have a prologue and an epilogue. You’ll need to know how to write them and why they’re used.

One of the most important issues in manuscript submitting is the proper ‘page set up’ for your work. This includes margins, indents, and paragraphs. Most editors will want to see your manuscript double spaced. This allows the editor to use his/her proofreaders marks between the lines. Most margins will be one inch all around with a ragged right margin and an even left.

Are you prepared to do a lot of ‘research’ involving your work? Remember that many professionals such as, doctors, lawyers, nurses, public accountants, judges, architects, bricklayers, engineers, and police officers read, too.

Do you know what a sub-plot is? This is a plot that comes ‘under’ the main plot. The hero may be after the vampire, but the mob may be after the hero as well. This is a sub-plot.

Can you take rejection and constructive criticism? If you’re easily hurt in the feelings department, then writing may not be your forte. Critics will tear you apart or build you up. The best writers in the world “King, Patterson, Koontz, J.K. Rowling, and many others” have been torn up one side and down the other. You can’t please everyone.

You’ll need to get a copy of Writer’s Market for the current year. This has literary agents whom you can send out query letters to. Some of them allow email queries. They also have a website. Google: Writer’s Market.

I wish you the best of luck!

PJ M

You need to go with you're gut. Close you're eyes and picture it as a movie, and you're characters in it too. Then write down what you see in your mind, its not so hard once you start on it, :)