How do I even start?
By BeccaM1989
@BeccaM1989 (59)
United States
April 9, 2011 1:47am CST
So, have you ever just decided to do something that morphed from doable into some sort of Mount Everest of a to-do? This is what my writing has turned into. I kind of made myself a promise that I would just sit down and bang out a book. Well, on top of how stressful this looks to be, I just realized that I have not one single clue what I will even choose to write about. I am just stuck. Not even on square one and I am stuck. I am not asking for a New York Times Best Seller of an idea, I just want to know how to kill my doubts and get rid of this (Not even) writers block.
Before this, I had no problem choosing what I'd write papers, poems, and blurbs about. Sadly, I am nowhere near where I want or need to be on this book. My fiance thinks I should do a memoir, although on the other hand, some things are sensitive and I am really not in the mood to wake that demon.
I guess the point of this is me asking "where do I even start this thing?"
2 people like this
3 responses
@Arkine (216)
• United States
10 Apr 11
All of us usually have weird ideas floating around in our heads. This may not lead to a full-length novel, but it can lead to at least getting those ideas down on paper.
I find one of the best ways to start a story, is to start with a character. I create the character first. I do this by finding all of the character traits (movies, books, people, whatever) that I find interesting.
Who is this character? Where are they from? What do they want? When is this taking place (age, location, etc.)? Why are they doing what they are doing? How are they doing it?
You probably recognize the pattern here; who, what, when, where, why and how? These simple questions can build a huge storyline.
Other than that, all I can really offer is brain storming. Write ideas down, anything that comes to mind. Do this for a while then look at your ideas and analyse them.
A lot of people think that writing is easy. Wrong, especially if you are talking a full-length novel. Those are like running a marathon. ;) But ... it is very do-able, always keep that in mind. :D
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
9 Apr 11
First I'd like to know... why do you want to write a book? If you don't have an idea for one, why do you want to try? Just curious.
I have dozens and dozens of ideas, the problem I have is slowing down and taking time to polish one manuscript rather than running off to write a new one once it's finished. I usually have an idea pop into my head and then sit on the back-burner for ages, slowly growing into a monster, until finally I have most of the book planned out already. Then I start writing.
I get inspiration from books, I'm a big reader who typically finishes 2-3 new books in a week. That averages out to roughly 100 books a year. I also get a lot of inspiration from dreams, since I tend to have complex and fantastical dreams. So if you're looking to expand your creativity then I'd recommend reading more and keeping a dream journal. The perfect idea, or maybe a dozen, will probably come to you. If it doesn't then I think you need to re-examine your motives for trying to write a book.
@BeccaM1989 (59)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I want to write a book. I have always wanted to write a book since as long as I could write. My reasoning is that if I do this and have something I did on my own then I will be satisfied. I mean I get ideas for other things but, in my mind these always seem like really stupid ideas for a book. At the moment my motivation to write is to get something out there (book, poem, journal or anything) so I don't get dull.
I'm also a pretty avid reader and can finish a book in a day
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
10 Apr 11
So read, and read all the time. Read the kinds of books you feel you might like to write and the kinds you feel like you might never like to write. And don't worry about an idea seeming stupid. You can edit something bad, you can't edit a blank page.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
12 Apr 11
What is your passion? Write what ever it is that's dear to your heart. It could be about animals, rainforest, disability, health, or what ever that's your passion. You can only be interested enough in something that you're passionet about and continue to want to finish writing the book.
Where do you start? From the beginning. 
