Writing a Novel

@sunnflr (2767)
United States
May 26, 2009 12:56pm CST
This month I started on a novel. I've never written anything of novel length before, never being able to make a story that long. I'm going to try this time though. I have almost 5,000 words written so far. If I can't make it novel length, it will at least be a pretty good short story. However long it ends up being, I just hope people like the story and I can get it published somewhere. Anybody else writing a novel or book? If so, how's it going?
2 people like this
8 responses
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
26 May 09
No but sunnflr, I sure would love to know how you are oding it, steps and such.. I would LOVE to write a novel.. even a short story or a small paperback length one!!! My life dream.. however.. I just can't seem to get it together. I have the time and ability, just not the know-how, I guess! Good luck to you! Look forward to hearing your progress!
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
26 May 09
But how do get the theme.. and all that goes along with it? I can do the writing - I think faster than I speak and with my typing at 90WPM I can get it all down with just a few re-writes, but my problem is "writers block" and what do I know that would others be interested in reading.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
26 May 09
Well, if you want to start small, look up some writing prompt sites. I use Three Word Wednesday, and even made my own photo prompt writing site. There's a link to it on my profile page. I love prompts because they give me a direction to start with. The short story contests all have themes picked also, so that would be another place you could start. For non-fiction, look at the world around you. Anything interesting happen in your town...write about it. Eat at a new restaurant, do a review. Write about any medical conditions you are loved ones have. Basically, anything you hear or see or have personal experience with is good material for non fiction.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
26 May 09
Well, I set a monthly goal of a certain number of words that will allow me to finish the book by December. I'm shooting for 100,000 thousand words because I've been advised that's a good number to shoot for. I have no idea if I'll make that many, but it's a goal. Some people do a certain number of words a week, or daily. That's really the main thing...set a goal and try your best to stick to it. You should join the accentuate writers forum. There are a lot of helpful people there and excellent writing advice.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Dec 09
I've been working on a novel for the past five years and it's finally coming together at the end just going through the last and final edit.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Cool beans! I wish you all the best with the editing and getting the book published. I know it's a daunting process. What kind of book did you write? What genre and such?
@wmaths (564)
• Italy
26 Sep 09
yes. i am italian, 21. i have written a book for four years and after a long job i decided to go to a local publisher and have it published. it was a good experience. now i am writing to a second novel and contemporary another book of poems. i know that this topic has been opened 5 months ago, so i wanted to ask you if you managed to finish the book you were talking about. i hope you did it well. happy mylotting.
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Congrats on getting your book published! That is wonderful. No, I haven't finished mine yet. I only work on it a little at a time it seems, in between writing articles and "life." I am over 10,000 words now though so I'm moving along...slowly. Good luck with your second book.
@dodo19 (47038)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
26 May 09
I'm in the middle of writing a novel. It's going pretty well, in my opinion, but at times, it's difficult to assess our work, and how it's going. It's a murder mystery. Writing a novel or a book is a lot more work than one might think.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
26 May 09
Good luck with your novel. It isn't easy trying to tie everything together and make it flow. I edit some as I go...people tell me this isn't good...but I have a touch of OCD, and leaving it totally messed up just isn't going to happen...lol I don't know exactly what genre mine is...it has some horror and sci-fi and suspense. I'll figure out the genra later!
@Raven1 (577)
• Australia
29 May 09
I've had three books published - but they aren't fiction. They're non-fiction "how-to" books, so they are novel length as far as word-count goes. I learned everything I needed to know about writing, editing, publishing and marketing it by reading the free articles on Fiction Factor (http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles.html) I don't get paid for mentioning my favorite site. I just found it helpful so I thought others might enjoy the information they offer as well.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
29 May 09
Thanks for the link, I'll check them out. Congrats on the books you've had published. Fiction or non fiction, it's still an accomplishment!
• United States
26 May 09
I used to write short stories and plays when I was in school. Every once in a while, I get a cool idea and jot it down for later. So far, I haven't written anything big yet, but I'd like to think I will once I have more time!
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
26 May 09
You really should. Check out this link: http://www.accentuateservices.com/AS/node/13 They have different themes for each month. Maybe one of them will spark your imagination and you can come up with a winning story! I make NOTHING from sending this link. They do not pay for us to pass the information along, so I hope noone flags my post!
• United States
26 May 09
My wife remarked that I need to write the next great series, I have about 6 books that I chip away at from time to time but nothing as steady as locking myself in a room and letting the creativity flow. I've been watching the Book Club on TV on CSPAN and I'd love to be up there talking about my book. I think I'll write some more tonight, thanks for the inspiration and let us know when you get published.
@intari (190)
• Indonesia
29 May 09
it's good of you to written and published a novel. i've ever tried wrote a novel when i was in high school. but i always couldn't finished it. i could't find the end of story i've wrote. i always couldn't write the ending story. until i gave up and never write story again, though there's always idea of story spinning around in my head.
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
29 May 09
I haven't had one published yet, just writing it so far. I hope to have it published one day though! Just keep writing and you will get to the end of one of your stories!
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
29 May 09
Well, I've been told I'm a little strange. I always know the end of my story when I start. I usually have the entire story planned out in my head and just have to write it down.
@intari (190)
• Indonesia
29 May 09
thanks sunnflr. but how can i get the ending story if when i thinking of the end always there's beginning story in my head. do u ever find same like this?how u finished your story? thank u. success always for you.