How do you start on writing a new novel

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Spacejock

I don't worry too much about plotting, because I know I'll go off in new and strange directions no matter what the outline says.

I use Freemind to storyboard ideas, then import the outline into my writing software and take it from there.

Don't get hung up on writing every scene in order. You can always paste in a short description if you don't feel like writing that part of the novel yet.

Interesting >> runs and looks .... mmmmm !

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Spacejock

I don't worry too much about plotting, because I know I'll go off in new and strange directions no matter what the outline says.

I use Freemind to storyboard ideas, then import the outline into my writing software and take it from there.

Don't get hung up on writing every scene in order. You can always paste in a short description if you don't feel like writing that part of the novel yet.

That's what I like about Scrivener ....

[bthrowsnaill]

I'm about to begin a new novel. I have already written some fragments, but I'm about to really get down to it soon. This is my first attempt at a sequel. I use an organic writing approach, similar to what Luke King describes. I'm finding it interesting and different having to start with the considerable inertia of a first novel behind me. It feels a lot more constraining, but there is the benefit of getting things "for free" in terms of characters, character arcs, etc. I've been doing more planning, but I have reached a point where it is feeling like it's time to dive into the deep end...

[GeoffC]

deep ends are good to navigate ....

[spaze]

Wow. I just went to Sauna and came up with middle and ending part of the story and I must tell you, if you liked Lost you will like how this story twists.

[TJager]

Three ways. First way... something comes to me out of the blue, I find the closest thing to write on (paper or computer) and I just go with it. Second way... I sit down and just start typing. Third way... I think and think and think and when I finally have something planned in my head, I go ahead and start writing it.

[John Carroll]

I've found that it's been different with each book. The first one I wrote, I started with a scene and went from there with no clue how it would turn out. It was really fun. The second one took up from where the first one ended and I didn't know how that would turn out either.

I decided the third one would be the last of a trilogy. I started where the second left off and an outline of what I wanted to happen. The journey's gone a bit off the track here and there, but it's pretty much following where I wanted to go.

The fourth book is actually a return to my first attempt at a book five years ago. I wrote 40,000 words and realized it had serious flaws. I've come up with new ideas for it, but it's going to start at the same place. That will be a trilogy too, but I don't know where books five and six are going to be yet.

I've also got the first two chapters of book seven written. They came to me while writing book three and I decided to get them down before they disappeared.

I also have a rough idea of how book ten is going to go. That's a little way off though.

[JenniferErickson]

I start with an idea that intrigues me, do research and brainstorm. Then, when I have a pretty good idea of the way the story might go, I start to write. When I start to feel a little bit blocked, it usually means two things: 1) I'm having trouble remembering all that I've written, and 2) Something about the plot isn't working. It's time to go back over the manuscript and do some strategizing. When I think I've got the problems worked out I go back to writing until I stall out again. I repeat this process for about two years, then when the plot is all worked out, edit for about a year.

[Stephanie1981]

I used to really write by the seat of my pants-- just come up with a vague idea and sit down and write whatever came to mind. Which was how I ended up with several different idea files with about ten pages written in each. :-) Now before I start writing, I get an outline done. If I have a good idea about the arc of the book, and what scene is coming up next, then that gives me the structure I need to actually finish a book once in a while.

[G J Lau]

I didn't have an outline, but I did have a very solid sense of how the story began and ended and how it got from one point to the next. But like battle plans, outlines are greatly modified by the flow of events. As others noted, the plot flows out of itself after awhile, based on your deeper understanding of how the characters think and react and the subconscious percolation that is always going on.

One thing I had to have was a very detailed inventory of each character: when they were born, when they got married or had kids, when they died, where they lived, what they looked like. Don't laugh, but I would download images from the internet of people who I thought looked like my characters. I also downloaded floor plans of places where I thought my characters would be living. Made it easier to plot their movements.

I'm hoping that the lessons learned from the first novel will make the next one much easier to develop and write.

[RVS78]

I usually jot down ideas - about 2-3 sentences just to summarize it. I then roughly outline it just to ensure that I have enough to say to write a full-length novel. I work better with visual aid so I often organize story arcs, subplots, and characters with a mind mapper (either web-based or just a pen and paper type flowchart works). Before I actually start writing it, it helps if I let it all play out in my head like a movie. It helps with character profiles, setting/locations, overall mood. I use a similar process with shorter works of fiction. Once I have the bones all in place, I just go with it. Sometimes additional characters/plot lines present themselves. Sometimes I toy around with alternate endings/outcomes just to keep it interesting.

I'm always trying to refine the way I work. Mostly, I have a notebook with tons of seemingly random scribbles and I patch it all together.

Mind mapper definitely helps. Also a writing soundtrack of sorts helps with the tone/mood.

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[mmessina]

Originally Posted by altworld

Best advice I ever got about writing is

Write and it will take care of itself.

Leaving it in your head lets it ferment, change, but rarely will it leave until you get it on paper. As human beings we are very good at second guessing and talking ourselves out of doing things, commit and go for it.

Don't worry too much about backgrounds and the size of the protangonists domains, think room of requirement and just tell your story.

Good luck and welcome to the journey.
Arigato,
Nick Davis

I have to completely agree with this. I used to just write timelines and synopsis(es) without end.... months later I'd find I hadn't written anything worthwhile at all.

Then I'd turn around, get the itch and just start writing. It is as if it is already up there, just waiting for you to open the nozzle and commence spraying (figuratively of course).

One exercise I found that helps is to pick a few words. Force yourself to write several sentences with these words. Make sure they are relevant to your book. Then let it run. I've found writing these little sentences literally kick-start the creative process and it just kind of takes off from there.

[crich70]

One idea I read about some time back is a four step approach. First you come up with an idea, a premise for the book. Then you write an opening paragraph, then a closing paragraph. Finally you write down a list of scenes that could get you from point a to point z. At that point you have a rough idea of your storyline and type your manuscript out the hard way. One word at a time. Getting started on a project is easy, but finishing it is hard work that requires you to have your rear firmly attached to your chair in front of your desktop/netbook or desk with your notebook and pen (whatever method of writing you use in other words).

[spiritualtramp]

Lots of pantsers here! (As in write by the seat of your...) I'm becoming a plotter and have gotten good use out of the snowflake method. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I always script everything out and detail my characters, so I know exactly where I want the story to go. Then, once I reach "critical mass," I wait for the explosion... that is, the first sentence of the first scene that will hook the reader into reading it all.

I like strong openings, and I concentrate on those to create an intro that must be finished, before you do anything else. (I, myself, usually find I can't tear myself away from writing it until it's done.) For me, that's often the hardest part of the entire book. Once I have that, writing the rest is relatively easy.