How do you get started...

~Country Girl~ · Aug 26, 2009

Ok so I recently made the commitment to write my first novel but I have no idea where to begin. I've done plenty of research on generating ideas, plot outlines, developing characters, ect. but I'm still stuck so any tips on how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

DeleyanLee · Aug 26, 2009

Have a story idea.

Flesh it out.

Start writing.

More specific than that, I can't help you with. Sorry.

TheIT · Aug 26, 2009

Start writing. Keep writing until you hit THE END.

Sounds facetious, but that's basically it. Generate a first draft so you can edit it into a polished final draft. At this point, don't worry about producing perfect prose. Produce something, anything, that you can work with later.

Have you found the "Learn Writing with Uncle Jim" thread in the Novels forum yet? Tons of good information there about how to start and continue, including BIC and the "Permission to write dreck" certificate.

Good luck!

~Country Girl~ · Aug 26, 2009

My problem seems to be the fleshing out part. I have an idea, I have several really, but when I start to plot it I'm stuck.

maestrowork · Aug 26, 2009

~Country Girl~ said:
Ok so I recently made the commitment to write my first novel but I have no idea where to begin. I've done plenty of research on generating ideas, plot outlines, developing characters, ect. but I'm still stuck so any tips on how to get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Write one word. Then the next. Then the next.

There really is no magic to it. Writers write. To begin your endeavor, start writing.

I know that's too vague, but it's the truth.

If you want something more concrete, try this:

Put an interesting character in an interesting situation with an interesting problem. Start writing.

Then see what happens.

DeleyanLee · Aug 26, 2009

~Country Girl~ said:
My problem seems to be the fleshing out part. I have an idea, I have several really, but when I start to plot it I'm stuck.

Then don't plot. Not everyone can or should. Start writing and see where it gets you.

The Grump · Aug 26, 2009

Put your main character in a dangerous situation, and have them get in worse trouble as they climb out of it.

How's that for a cliche??

TheIT · Aug 26, 2009

One of the things every writer needs to figure out is if they're an outliner or a seat-of-the pants writer. Some people like to have everything plotted and planned out before they start writing the story. Others start with a general idea and discover what's going on in the story as they write.

If you're having trouble plotting too far ahead, maybe you're a "pantser". Try writing the scenes you already have in mind. I find that when I'm writing a scene, the ideas for the next scene form because they spring from the events I'm writing.

When I started my novel, I had two characters, an initial incident, and a very vague idea of what the ending might be. Took me a while, but I eventually managed to produce an entire first draft.

And welcome to AW!

MsGneiss · Aug 26, 2009

First, I put a line in my sig, WIP : 0/60,000. Then, I play off my inherent fear of disappointing anonymous Internet strangers, and get writing.

Folofop · Aug 26, 2009

I'm kind of in the same boat as you.

One thing that I have found for me has been writing specific scenes that interest me, then filling the stuff between.

Ideas usually flow as you write, in fact so much so, that you will probably change the scene you were writing to accomodate the better idea that sprang to your mind as you were writing the scene.

Erm, if that makes sense. I'm running low on brain power to day.

~Country Girl~ · Aug 26, 2009

Folofop said:
I'm kind of in the same boat as you.

One thing that I have found for me has been writing specific scenes that interest me, then filling the stuff between.

Ideas usually flow as you write, in fact so much so, that you will probably change the scene you were writing to accomodate the better idea that sprang to your mind as you were writing the scene.

Erm, if that makes sense. I'm running low on brain power to day.

Thanks I'm gonna give that a try.... I have serveral scene ideas so who knows where it will take me.

CaroGirl · Aug 26, 2009

Write what feels to you like the first scene. Make sure it's interesting and involves the character(s) you envision as the main one(s) in your story. Then write the next scene. Rinse and repeat. Good luck!

The Rav · Aug 26, 2009

As others have suggested, since you're having a real tough time coming up with a plot, just sit down and write. Let your imagination/muse/whatever you want to call it lead you. If, however, that doesn't work either, try plotting, but not linearly. Think about how you envision your ending. Or a scene or two you might see somewhere in the middle. It's at least a way to get you started thinking about something other than how you want to start, which will probably change in your rewrites anyway. Good luck!

CheyElizabeth · Aug 26, 2009

Begin at the beginning! I wrote my first chapter, then was so excited that i finished a chapter, I just kept writing. Even if you don't like it, just keep writing... it'll work out.

But you'll never finish a novel if you don't start.

Kitty Pryde · Aug 26, 2009

Start by typing out either:

Once upon a time

OR

It was a dark and stormy night

Continue the story from there, even if it is neither night, dark, or stormy. Grant yourself permission to write a lousy stupid badly plotted horse-plop of a novel, because you can edit it when you finish. Key word finish. Keep going every day til you get to the end, then write THE END.

seun · Aug 26, 2009

Come up with a start, write some words after it, write some more and keep going until you run out of words.

There is no perfect start - especially not for first drafts. Don't overthink it. Just write it.

havefaith22 · Aug 26, 2009

When I start a novel I have the main conflicts/resolutions planned out in advance. However, the smaller conflicts come forward naturally as I write.

I would start with a great hook. Think of an exciting action the main character can be doing that will grasp a reader's attention in the first paragraph. Once you have that, the rest will fall into place.

Examples I can think of off the top of my head...

1) MC is running from someone
2) MC is late for something important

I think you get the gist.

Whatever it is, it has to be an action that helps propel the story, while also letting the reader get to know the main character's personality.

Good luck!

Mythical Tiger · Aug 26, 2009

Just write. I know others have already said that, but it's all I can say. Write.

~Sam

MichStephens · Aug 26, 2009

TheIT said:
One of the things every writer needs to figure out is if they're an outliner or a seat-of-the pants writer. Some people like to have everything plotted and planned out before they start writing the story. Others start with a general idea and discover what's going on in the story as they write.

If you're having trouble plotting too far ahead, maybe you're a "pantser". Try writing the scenes you already have in mind. I find that when I'm writing a scene, the ideas for the next scene form because they spring from the events I'm writing.

When I started my novel, I had two characters, an initial incident, and a very vague idea of what the ending might be. Took me a while, but I eventually managed to produce an entire first draft.

This is pretty much how I am too. I haven't started a novel yet, but with my short stories I seem to do a general outline of the whole story. Once I start writing I will sit down and do a more detailed outline of the scene I'm about to write. Then I immediately write it. Next scene: more detailed outline then immediately write it.

I imagine this is how I'll work with my novels too. A broad, general outline of the whole story and then smaller, more detailed outlines of chapters and/or scenes.

sleepsheep said:
First, I put a line in my sig, WIP : 0/60,000. Then, I play off my inherent fear of disappointing anonymous Internet strangers, and get writing.

Self-imposed humiliation. I like it.

cbenoi1 · Aug 26, 2009

> I recently made the commitment to write my first novel

What is it about?

-cb

~Country Girl~ · Aug 26, 2009

cbenoi1 said:
> I recently made the commitment to write my first novel

What is it about?

-cb

Well it's a romance... long story short my MC finally realizes she's in love with her best friend from highschool after she finds out he's engaged.

cbenoi1 · Aug 26, 2009

Cool.

> long story short

Long, please. How does the story start?

-cb

~Country Girl~ · Aug 26, 2009

cbenoi1 said:
Cool.

> long story short

Long, please. How does the story start?

-cb

ha no clue... I've thought of many possiblities and I don't like any of them.

hints my problem.

Smish · Aug 26, 2009

~Country Girl~ said:
Well it's a romance... long story short my MC finally realizes she's in love with her best friend from highschool after she finds out he's engaged.

To get started, why don't you write the scene where she finds out he's engaged?

kct webber · Aug 26, 2009

~Country Girl~ said:
ha no clue... I've thought of many possiblities and I don't like any of them. hints my problem.

Well, I'm sure you have at least one scene in mind, then. Where she finds out he's engaged, perhaps? Write that.

The great thing about writing is--unlike the reader--you don't have to do a story in a straight line. You can go back and add the beginning later. I've written stories where I started way too early and had to cut the first couple chapters. I've also written stories where I've started basically in the middle and had to go do some backfill. Doesn't matter. If you have a scene in mind, start there.

If you're anything like me--a panster--as you write that scene you have in mind, you'll be flooded with the ones around it, then flooded with the ones around those, then... etc. Have fun.

How do you get started...

~Country Girl~

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

~Country Girl~

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

The Grump

Hates Marketing. Loves Writing.

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

MsGneiss

Folofop

~Country Girl~

CaroGirl

Living the dream

The Rav

CheyElizabeth

My horn can pierce the sky!

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

seun

Horror Man

havefaith22

Mythical Tiger

I RUN WITH THE TIGERS

MichStephens

cbenoi1

~Country Girl~

cbenoi1

~Country Girl~

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

kct webber

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.