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Hey! Before writing a novel, what is the first thing you do? I mean after you have an idea and all.
-Jay
-Jay
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An idea isn't enough for me. I need more than an idea if I'm going to get a novel out of it. I sit on the idea for a couple of days. I take notes and keep them together. I let the main character introduce herself (or himself). We talk about what she (or he) wants most, and then figure out how to keep her/him from getting it.
Then I write.
Then I write.
... an idea before I start writing? *glances back and forth* Er... more often than not, I just start writing and the idea spawns from there. ^_^()
I know what you mean, though, and it depends on the idea. If it it involves a subject or something that I'm not really that familiar with, than a little research is always good. At least so that I feel I've got enough to start.
Otherwise... Write. *nods* Sounds good to me. ^_^() Or outline, I suppose, if that's your cup of tea.
Really, when it comes down to it... you can't write without writing. So that's generally a good step to turn to whenever you're in doubt.
I know what you mean, though, and it depends on the idea. If it it involves a subject or something that I'm not really that familiar with, than a little research is always good. At least so that I feel I've got enough to start.
Otherwise... Write. *nods* Sounds good to me. ^_^() Or outline, I suppose, if that's your cup of tea.
Really, when it comes down to it... you can't write without writing. So that's generally a good step to turn to whenever you're in doubt.
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Let the characters settle in and tell me what they want to do within the scope of the idea. This usually takes me off at a tangent from where I thought I was going. During this time I do as much research as I can so that when I start I don't have to go looking for info.
Then I do nothing.
And I wait.
Wait a little longer.
Then when the charactrs are beating down the doors to get out and do their thing I start transcribing what they tell me.
Then I do nothing.
And I wait.
Wait a little longer.
Then when the charactrs are beating down the doors to get out and do their thing I start transcribing what they tell me.
Well, I'm usually working on another project after all. Who writes just one project in a void? So usually, I let the idea just settle around, and if I still have it, I start to consider it in bored moments.
I'm approaching halfway through my Rome novel right now, and I'm starting to find myself mulling over my next novel idea, now and then. I don't intend to write it for a few more months, but it's there and it's bubbling.
Mostly, though, all I need is an angle. If I know how to come at an idea, I can start writing it whenever I'm ready to go.
I'm approaching halfway through my Rome novel right now, and I'm starting to find myself mulling over my next novel idea, now and then. I don't intend to write it for a few more months, but it's there and it's bubbling.
Mostly, though, all I need is an angle. If I know how to come at an idea, I can start writing it whenever I'm ready to go.
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I write up an outline. A rough outline.
In the outline, I write down the main settings, where the characters are and what's happening in their world at the time the story is beginning, the main characters, and the main points that I want to cover in the story.
Then, I begin organizing those points into chapters and a numbered sequence and make them a little more detailed.
Finally, when I finished enough of that to get me started, I begin writing the story.
In the outline, I write down the main settings, where the characters are and what's happening in their world at the time the story is beginning, the main characters, and the main points that I want to cover in the story.
Then, I begin organizing those points into chapters and a numbered sequence and make them a little more detailed.
Finally, when I finished enough of that to get me started, I begin writing the story.
The first thing I do is write a scene, involving characters doing something. It may or not make it into the novel ultimately, but it's a start. For me, no amount of contemplation/outlining/preplanning accomplishes that.
caw
caw
I have SOO much trouble with this too. I tend to just have one scene or line that pops into my head. It takes me alot of work to get the plot down. I would just map it out, not necessarily outline, just make a map of where you plan on going.
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I jot down some very rough ideas, and a few names so I won't forget them.
Then I launch Open Office, and begin. Tappity tap tap tap.
Then I launch Open Office, and begin. Tappity tap tap tap.
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I stare at my computer and wonder why I write. & then after i remember (that takes a split second) I write down random little thoughts =]
I pull out a pad and make a long list of all the things I can think about for my hero and heroine. Physical description. Personality traits. Likes/dislikes. Quirks. Kind of like profiling for the FBI. 
I think knowing their psychology helps me shape how they will act and react to the plot's twist and turns.
I think knowing their psychology helps me shape how they will act and react to the plot's twist and turns.
http://www.ingermanson.com/writing/snowflake.php
This helped me organize my first novel, start writing, and finishing it. I thought maybe it would help you.
Now I write down my idea on an index card and keep it in sight while writing. I just pick a place to start (inciting incident usually works) and begin typing. While I typically know the beginning, a couple of reversals for the middle, and how I want it to end, I don't really outline anymore. I will outline as I go, jotting down notes for future scenes, and I like to leave off where I know what happens next, but I get bored if I'm working from a full outline. When you're bored by what you're writing, guess how boring the prose is?
The thing I discovered with my first book (unpublished by choice) was that once I had the story laid out, I felt confident to start writing it. I gave myself a goal each day and met it religiously, but about halfway through I found that I was getting away from my outline. So I went with it, and ended up with a much different, (dare I say?) more interesting story than the one I'd planned.
This helped me organize my first novel, start writing, and finishing it. I thought maybe it would help you.
Now I write down my idea on an index card and keep it in sight while writing. I just pick a place to start (inciting incident usually works) and begin typing. While I typically know the beginning, a couple of reversals for the middle, and how I want it to end, I don't really outline anymore. I will outline as I go, jotting down notes for future scenes, and I like to leave off where I know what happens next, but I get bored if I'm working from a full outline. When you're bored by what you're writing, guess how boring the prose is?
The thing I discovered with my first book (unpublished by choice) was that once I had the story laid out, I felt confident to start writing it. I gave myself a goal each day and met it religiously, but about halfway through I found that I was getting away from my outline. So I went with it, and ended up with a much different, (dare I say?) more interesting story than the one I'd planned.
I sit on it for a few days. Then if I think it's usable I work on an outline and try to get to know the characters.
Talk about it with people. I know that's not what most writers recommend, but I have to describe the idea to get a sense if it's any good. And somehow, my mirror reflection isn't very helpful. 
But really, anything you want to do. It's your idea and your book.
But really, anything you want to do. It's your idea and your book.
Idea
I usually don't have an idea when I sit down, I just have a title I like. As soon as this is in place, I sit down and start writing.
I usually don't have an idea when I sit down, I just have a title I like. As soon as this is in place, I sit down and start writing.
Some folks feel most comfortable with plot.
They know more or less what's going to happen in the story. They chop that long set of projected actions into do-able fragments that will become scenes.
Sometimes they even write down that list of actions in an outline.
Then they start writing a scene.
Some folks look at character.
They have some idea about how the character is going to grow and change during the story.
Sometimes they even write down a long list of how these changes come about, in an outline.
Sometimes they write background and history of the that characters.
Then they mount up on the main character, cluck the reins, and see where they go.
It doesn't much matter what you write first. Or second. Or third.
At the beginning, it's all for practice.
The first million words, says the accepted wisdom, is for practice.
Unless you are very good and already have a fair amount of writing under your belt,
everything you write for the first six months
is going to get tossed out or drastically rewritten.
In one way, that is discouraging.
In another way, it gives you a lot of freedom.
They know more or less what's going to happen in the story. They chop that long set of projected actions into do-able fragments that will become scenes.
Sometimes they even write down that list of actions in an outline.
Then they start writing a scene.
Some folks look at character.
They have some idea about how the character is going to grow and change during the story.
Sometimes they even write down a long list of how these changes come about, in an outline.
Sometimes they write background and history of the that characters.
Then they mount up on the main character, cluck the reins, and see where they go.
It doesn't much matter what you write first. Or second. Or third.
At the beginning, it's all for practice.
The first million words, says the accepted wisdom, is for practice.
Unless you are very good and already have a fair amount of writing under your belt,
everything you write for the first six months
is going to get tossed out or drastically rewritten.
In one way, that is discouraging.
In another way, it gives you a lot of freedom.
I do a load of research depending on the idea. I think about it for a day or two if I can stand not writing, or if I can't write for whatever reason. Mostly I just write and fix to include later research or insight or whatever.
Interesting question!
I figure out if it's a good idea or not. That involves pondering what could come from the idea - can I think of a conflict and characters that are worthy of my energy and time, a thrilling ending, a satisfying story arc? If I can get excited by my answers to these questions, I start daydreaming. I don't begin to write until I have something plotted in my head.
I figure out if it's a good idea or not. That involves pondering what could come from the idea - can I think of a conflict and characters that are worthy of my energy and time, a thrilling ending, a satisfying story arc? If I can get excited by my answers to these questions, I start daydreaming. I don't begin to write until I have something plotted in my head.
Unless you are very good and already have a fair amount of writing under your belt,
everything you write for the first six months
is going to get tossed out or drastically rewritten.I agree! It's amazing really. I thought I would never finish a novel. Then I thought what I wrote was golden. Now, I look at the first book and just sigh in frustration over how much work would be needed to make it any good.But I don't consider it "lost time." It was a learning process. And it was an itch I had to scratch.
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Well, I get to know my characters by writing out a charater listing and spending time with them, then I do a map if needed and an outline. then I start the story. But that's just me.
kim
I get characters first, so I sort of know what they look like, and sometimes I see what they are doing. Kind of a picture in my head. I had a couple of characters I saw ::in my head:: that were just standing there, on a hill. I wondered what they were looking at, then I saw it. That took me into the beginning of the story. I knew where they were going and where they came from.
I usually write until I find I need to know more intimate details of my characters, then it's time to do some character sketches. Probably around chapter 2 or 3 this happens. I don't always work in chapters so that's a guess.
On the rare occasion I may do an outline first, but it still generally begins with "seeing" my character(s).
I usually write until I find I need to know more intimate details of my characters, then it's time to do some character sketches. Probably around chapter 2 or 3 this happens. I don't always work in chapters so that's a guess.
On the rare occasion I may do an outline first, but it still generally begins with "seeing" my character(s).
I usually get a story-idea as I'm writing another book. So, to keep from getting off track, i scribble the basis down, shove it in a folder, and attempt to forget about it. This rarely works. Every day or two i'll end up coming up with cool plot-twists or charecter developments, and byt the time i'm done with my WIP, the story is ready to be written.
A very efficent system. It just kills.
A very efficent system. It just kills.
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