Where to start?

Janice · 09-12-2008

Do you start writing at the beginning of the book? Or just somewhere in the middle of things?

-Janice

mjpm · 09-12-2008

I suppose that's up to you. The important thing is to start writing.

Mike

Icebox · 09-12-2008

No hard and fast rule. I like the analogy that writing a book is like walking along in the desert and finding a piece of a house just peaking up out of the sand. The house is your story and your job is to un-earth it a bit at a time. The part of it sticking up out of the sand is where you begin, but it might be the middle of the book, or the end, or wherever. Just start with what you were given, and move forward.

And good luck!

AtomicClockwork · 09-12-2008

I think one of the most important is to have a story to tell.

(I know...duh.) But to have a story with a definite direction. That what got me last year on Nanowrimo. I had all my toys in the sandbox, but nothing for them to do.I had characters, I had a location, but no over arcing story to bring it together. I got frustrated and burnt out under the pressure at 5166 words.

But I think if I get my outline charted out I can do it.

Hey Jack if you are reading this...maybe you could do a quick Library of J n' S on tips for a successful Nano?

I got more tips...but I have to go to work now. Lates...

Jerm · 09-12-2008

I start at the beginning, though I reserve the option to write a pre-beginning later on. From there on out, though, I occasionally jump around and write bits in the middle then go back and write everything between point A and point B.

laura · 09-12-2008

	Quote:	AtomicClockwork
	I think one of the most important is to have a story to tell. (I know...duh.) But to have a story with a definite direction. That what got me last year on Nanowrimo. I had all my toys in the sandbox, but nothing for them to do.I had characters, I had a location, but no over arcing story to bring it together. I got frustrated and burnt out under the pressure at 5166 words. .

That seems to be the state of one of my ideas for Nanowrimo at the moment. The other idea has some sort of plot (with lots of holes) but I'm worried that it it too complex and that I'll write myself into a corner (assuming I get that far - this is my first go!) I'm trying to develop both at the moment and will make a decision nearer the time.

AtomicClockwork · 09-13-2008

Matt's tip No.2.

Characters.

This year I'm using Celtx as my word processor. It's very helpful since my wife and I share a license for MS Word, and only one can use it at time (and she uses it a lot.)

Anyhow...Celtx has sheets that you can build your characters. I say take the time to fill them out. Figure out who you characters are. What motivates them. What they look like. Their goals, and what they are willing to do to achieve them.

I find it's helpful to cast them your head. Use real people, actors, amalgams, or Archtypes. As G.I. Joe says: Knowing is half the battle.

Janice · 09-13-2008

	Quote:	AtomicClockwork
	... As G.I. Joe says: ...

Well, anyone who can quote GI Joe is worth listening to.

(Sorry, I had to say that.)

Seriously, that's good advice.

Celtx, eh? I downloaded that a while ago, but haven't taken a look at it. I'll spend some time playing around with it and see if that inspires me to develop an actual storyline.

-Janice

Jerm · 09-13-2008

	Quote:	AtomicClockwork
	Matt's tip No.2. Characters. This year I'm using Celtx as my word processor. It's very helpful since my wife and I share a license for MS Word, and only one can use it at time (and she uses it a lot.) Anyhow...Celtx has sheets that you can build your characters. I say take the time to fill them out. Figure out who you characters are. What motivates them. What they look like. Their goals, and what they are willing to do to achieve them. I find it's helpful to cast them your head. Use real people, actors, amalgams, or Archtypes. As G.I. Joe says: Knowing is half the battle.

Great suggestion on character planning. I think I may start that soon as I've had some great ideas lately. Also good thought on using Celtx. I'm really starting to like it. Well, I've always thought well of it, but since I've been useing it a lot lately, I should say I'm getting very comfortable with it.

AtomicClockwork · 09-13-2008

I was going to use D&D character sheets as an example but I could already hear eyes rolling back in their sockets.

But if it helps, (and your stuck building your supporting cast) you could pull out the ole 20 sided die and throw a little chaos into the creation of your cast.

Just for a quick example.

Say you have this character in your head. This bad dude with an attitude. Going to make life miserable for you protagonist. You roll to see what his strength is, you think it will be about high teens. (Twenty being strongest) and you roll a five.
He's puny. This could be an interesting spin on the character. He thinks he's all bad ass, but really Cindy the girl scout from down the street could kick his butt. So then you know all his bravado is really about compensating for being a weakling.