Help with an idea

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:29 am

If I thought I had a good concept for a book but didn't know the first thing about writing one, what would be my next step?

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:35 am

Open a word processor and make sure you're confident about using the Outline mode. Open a spreadsheet to jot in lists to gather notes whenever you think of something you'll want to remember, it's free-form and huge but structured at the same time. Bang into the outline as much of the shape as you already know about, then expand where you've a good notion of the content. Don't forget to take frequent backups - I find that emailing stuff to myself on an external server like Gmail as attachments keeps files safe.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:01 am

You mean Outline Numbering under Tools in open Office?

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:21 am

Ahso!;1343528 wrote: You mean Outline Numbering under Tools in open Office?

That would do fine, if that's the word processor you're using. Once you've a heirarchical structure to your book you can use the Navigator to see and manipulate the structure and get short cuts from one area to another. If your final print version should be flat text then you can either convert styles before printing or, for preference, you can make all the styles below the chapter level print exactly the same as normal text.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:34 am

Maybe I should look for a ghost writer or a partner or something. I'm not good at this stuff. But I'll try.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:35 am

There are writing courses available for budding writers. There might be advice on the Internet. The local public library will definitely have books on the subject. You might be able to look up the available titles in your library over the Internet. I know that I can look for any book at any of the numerous libraries in the Leeds area and reserve it for collection if I wish or arrange for it to be sent to my closest branch for collection.

Professional writing is a skill. Microsoft Word has a built in spelling and grammar checker but I believe there is a free app that you can also use with checkers built in. Style and presentation is usually determined by what pleases the publishers but I do appreciate those authors that take care with their descriptions, plot builds, arguments, and so on.

If you know a writer or publisher, they could point you to where best to send your manuscript.

Best of luck, Ahso.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:40 am

What's the idea?

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:54 am

Accountable;1343535 wrote: What's the idea? :)No chance, sucka! :wah:

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:02 am

:wah: No! I meant like fiction, research, or what?

I used to write the occasional short story, and Bez used to bug me about writing, but I just can't stay with it. ADD, I guess.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:11 am

Accountable;1343544 wrote: :wah: No! I meant like fiction, research, or what?

I used to write the occasional short story, and Bez used to bug me about writing, but I just can't stay with it. ADD, I guess.I guess it would be serious fiction, mostly dialog I think. Probably make a good screen play or movie if done right. Thats my vision, anyway.

I'm gonna be rich! Speilberg or Lucas could get behind this. Whatshisname (Nixon, JFK) would definately get behind it.

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:56 am

Stone.

I'm by no means convinced that writing for money is ethical.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:00 am

spot;1343554 wrote: Stone.

I'm by no means convinced that writing for money is ethical.Its not my intension to write for money, I really believe its a good idea and story to put out there, I was having some fun with the money thing. Its not encoded in my DNA to become rich.

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:10 am

Would you be content to have it finished by this time next year?

Let's assume it's between 100,000 words (Kafka and Camus managed in rather less than that) and 600,000 (which just beats Tolstoy's biggest epic). Call it, conveniently, 365,000 words.

You'll have it ready for an editor in a year if you write 1,000 words a day, regular as clockwork.

That'll take you three hours. The rest of the day you can spend in your head making sure you have enough plot to get through tomorrow. Once you're sat at the computer just bash it in, no finesse, no reading it back afterwards, and walk away when the time's up.

You need a room with a computer, no Internet connection to it, and no television or radio within earshot. If it's a computer from ten years ago that's fine, you're only word processing, it'll be perfect.

If it turns out it's a 100,000 word novel after all, you'll be finished in four months.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:18 am

I've never been much of a book reader myself, its difficult for me to concentrate for long periods of time, so what I'm leery of is style. I know I can concentrate if I really believe in the project. I've done that before. I don't know how to begin....Once upon a time?

But yes, I'm willing to give it a go. Spreadsheets? Haven't got a clue.

I've got the time. I'll have to learn, I guess.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:29 am

My vocabulary is so limited.

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:32 am

Ahso!;1343562 wrote: I don't know how to begin....Once upon a time?Without warning, the radiation front of the supernova explosion hit Earth at the speed of light. Within five seconds the entire atmosphere on the side facing Proxima Centuri reached the temperature of molten steel and began its inevitable outward expansion into the solar system from whence it would never return. The sole orbiting space laboratory was flung into an uncontrollable re-entry moments later, its astronauts having just witnessed the moon disintegrate into random-sized asteroid fragments.There you are. Your first three sentences. Quite where the plot can get to after that I'm not sure.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:40 am

Not the correct setting but I get ya. Thanks. I really should do this. I'm going to take all your advice as best I can, so keep it coming. I'll get better as time advances.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:45 am

Ahso!;1343524 wrote: If I thought I had a good concept for a book but didn't know the first thing about writing one, what would be my next step?

Ask

He may be willing to spend some time with you

Home Page

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:14 am

Thanks, Nomad.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:41 am

Ahso!;1343524 wrote: If I thought I had a good concept for a book but didn't know the first thing about writing one, what would be my next step?

Start writing down your ideas. There are local writing groups you might want to join, for proof reading and input on your endeavor.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:22 pm

Thanks, Chonsi, Openmind and Accountable.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:50 pm

You may get some ideas from the website below:

Rands In Repose: How to Write a Book

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:18 pm

Ahso!;1343555 wrote: Its not my intension to write for money, I really believe its a good idea and story to put out there, I was having some fun with the money thing. Its not encoded in my DNA to become rich.

You and me could start a club on this basis alone. We could exemplify the point by basing the club on your entire paragraph above. It would work and we would never make any financial wealth from it.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:47 pm

Screenplays are really specific in the style and format. Final Draft is a useful program if that's what you want to do. If you go for a script, write it the way you want it, regardless of how it might be done or what it would cost. Making a film isn't nearly the massive financial endeavour it used to be with digital cameras. If you went for screenplay, you'd be best off to plan on getting your own crew together but crews can be readily assembled with film school students or graduates looking for credit.

If you want to make it a book, how you write it depends on your nature. If you start with a good idea sometimes the rest of it just follows. On the other hand, starting is easy, finishing is not so easy. Having a rough outline is helpful if you need to remember where it's headed but keeping your inspiration level high is the most important part.

A screenplay doesn't take as long to write. If you have trouble finishing, you could start with that and then convert it to a novel after you get the story out and the sense of accomplishment that goes with being "done."