I'm writing my first real novel, which will be a series, and I need some ideas on it

Begin at the beginning at write until you reach the end. Then come back and ask specifics. That's my advice.

Butt in chair, fingers on keyboard. Seems to work for me. Most of the time.

Yeah. I agree with willowmound. I know you aren't asking anyone to write it for you, but the difference between asking "what should I write" and "how should I write it" aren't mutually exclusive. There's room for play in both.

I can only suggest to read widely and deeply, mimic what you like, note what you don't. The process is no secret; drafting, etc. is done through various different techniques that are available to study online and in print.

People do it different ways, and you'll likely find your own variation of the whole disgusting mess. But do yourself a favor and steal all of it. Then leave what you don't like out of your grinding maddening editing process (we all have 'em, and the hip amongst us prefer the term "stark-raving mad").

So, there you go. In a "nut" shell. Get it?

I need a freaking coffee.

I'm a first-time novel writer too. High five! But yeah, ditto to what everyone else said. I'm having a hard time getting the words out too, due to second-guessing myself and whatnot. But the best thing to do for first drafts is to just write. You can ask questions when you get to the second draft.

Write first, ask questions later.
Just go with your gut, write the story that's inside you.

My advice for a writing a first novel? Don't stress over it. That means don't worry if the length isn't exactly right, if it breaks rules, etc. In my opinion the first novel, and possibly even the two or three after that, are learning experiences. You'll make a lot of mistakes that will eventually help you learn what to avoid. You'll try lots of new things, which will eventually help you learn what to embrace. As for how to write it? That's hard to say. Every writer has their own way of working so what works for one person might not work for another. So work however feels right to you. If it doesn't feel right, change it until it does. Trial and error is a very important part of the learning process.

nezumikiri623 said:

But how should I do it? I will write it through, and finish typing it. then i can go over it and edit it, again and again and again. I'm sorry, I really don't know what I am asking. but can you help a first-ever novel writer?

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Okay, I'm on my rewrite for my first novel, and this is what has helped for me:

1. Write it. Just get it out so I can see where I'm going.

2. Post chapter one on SYW to see where I made mistakes and see if I can apply the critter's advice to the rest of the novel.

3. Send to a trusted person (I sent it to my English teacher, but if you don't trust her, don't sent it to her) who can tell you grammar mistakes and plot holes. Also, things that don't makes sense, like unrealistic reactions of characters (this helped a lot). (This is betaing here, but I did this before I found AW).

4. Read writing books (Elements of Style, Self Editing for Fiction Writers, How to Find a Literary agent). Find good online resources like AW or Nathan Bransford's blog or... still looking for more online resources, though I've seen Query Shark.

5. Edit. Read it out loud to see if it sounds awkward. Apply what I've learned from online or printed resources and what the reader suggested, but only if it makes sense to me.

6. Now, I trashed the entire thing because of plausibility issues and am rewriting it. This probably wouldn't have happened if I'd outlined (something you may or may not want to consider doing).

So, that's what worked (maybe not, I'm rewriting) for me. I did stick in step two out of order (it was really after step five) because that's where I would've put it in had I found AW earlier.

Lots of good advice above, so I only have one thing to add.

nezumikiri623 said:

I have ideas stretching into other books in the series, evenm though I have barely started writing chapter two! This helps me make sure what I write will make sense later.

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It's always good to have more ideas on standby, but make sure you are focusing on the first book ONLY. Make it stand alone. Figure out this novel first, before you ponder any others.

Yeah, ChaosTitan brought up the point that I want to mention. Make sure your first book can stand on its own. Agents don't necessarily take books as series; they will sell a book, and if it does well, it has the opportunity to be changed into a series.

I made the mistake of expecting a series, and my first book didn't stand on its own. I had to do extensive editing to fix that problem (which I am happy to say I finished today ). Just make sure that the first book can be read on its own; there is a good chance that, if it is published, it might not get made into a series.

If you need an example of how to do this without spoiling your chance at a series, you can look at Harry Potter books. In the first book, Harry defeats Professor Quirrell/Voldemort, and it appears like a final death. However, there were other opportunities given in the book which allowed a second one to be made (I.E. Voldemort could come back). The first book could have been the final, and it could have stood on its own, but it allowed an opportunity for further development.

Yeah, set aside time every day to write. Same time, same place, get in the discipline of being a dedicated novelist. As for your first draft, don't sweat so much that everything you write is beautiful. Get your story told. Go back and make it better once that's done. Other than that, I'm really not sure what other advice you're looking for. Maybe try to learn as much as you can about the craft by reading a lot and doing research on the do's and don'ts of writing.

There, I hope that helps.

First you write one word, then another. Repeat that until you have a sentence. Repeat again until you have enough sentences to make a paragraph. Repeat again until you have enough paragraphs to make a page. Repeat again until you have enough pages to make a chapter. Repeat again until you have enough chapters to make a novel.

Oh, and don't sweat it if your first novel stinks. Most people's do. You can either keep working on it to make it better or you can move on and write another, then another, and so on, and so on. If you really really want to be a writer then understand you're in it for the long haul. But remember, each failure brings you closer to your goal.

I'll have to agree with most everyone else here. Just write. When it's done and you see flaws in every sentence (we all do this) you'll have a better perspective on how to go about asking that question again--this time, to yourself.

Just to reiterate what everyone else has said: write it and then worry about how to fix it later. Your first draft won't be perfect, it never is. Sometimes I think the best writers are the best editors LOL

And I have to admit that I did a double take when I saw you were also writing a novel about hermit crabs. Then I remembered that before I read Watership Down I balked at the idea of a novel staring anthropomorphic rabbits. Because it was well written and the plot was handled in a unique and surprising way, it turned out to be one of my favorite books. I'm guessing you've read it, but if you haven't you totally should. I expect you'd like it too.

No, you aren't writing a series. You're writing one book. If that one doesn't sell there isn't going to be another book.

The rule is: Cool stuff now. More cool stuff later.

Write your book. Butt in chair, fingers on keys. Everything else is trivia.