Is there a book here ?
By lynnymac
@lynnymac (105)
United States
November 17, 2010 12:04pm CST
i have recently moved next door to my brother who has turned his large 5 bedroom home into a boarding house. there some real charicters there and lots of drama with all their problems. These people are unemployed and scraping by in life. That is why they have each ended up renting a room in a boarding hoouse. Every day something silly, weird, sad, or down right crazy happens over there. I just shake my head and think, ' this would make a great book'. but i have never tried writing before and have no idea how to even begin. any suggestions ?
4 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Nov 10
Just start writing?
Seriously, for starters, why not just write down the things that happen as they happen. Then if you can't quite figure out how to get them into book form, you can maybe take a writing class at the local Junior College. Or just send the small snippets off to Reader's Digest or something.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Nov 10
Only because somebody else suggested it to me!
@darksquall (58)
•
17 Nov 10
I agree with the just start writing idea.
I also recommend keeping a notebook with you to make notes on what has happened, particularly funny or sad events always make for good storytelling but details have a way of slipping away over time as you come to write them.
There are lots of websites with tips to write but none of them can come close to the pure and simple "Just write". Writing is often hard, arduous, there are moments when it feels like that blank word document or notebook or bathroom wall is out to get you, but eventually it is possible to find the voice inside that can tell these things. Sit down somewhere quiet and choose one of the people and start talking about one of these events. Make bullet points if you think that will help you of the story structure to guide you where to go so that you don't miss anything. (An artist doesn't just start painting - usually anyway - so you might consider some little scenes as sort of sketches of writing to practice. Go people watching there or elsewhere and describe one person as detailed as you can. Think about smells and sights and sounds and feelings in a place.)
If you're making up characters to take on these roles so that these people won't be offended or sue you for a cut, then you might also like to start with some character building. Figure out the basic information about your characters, work out what their motivations are and why they're doing things, why they're in that position in the first place.
Have a go and share with the community how your work went - maybe we could help you more when you tell us how you felt when you were writing or what happened with the writing?
@lynnymac (105)
• United States
17 Nov 10
thank you so much. i think the scary thing is just starting. but the idea of carying a notebook with me is great, yes the details escape me. and maybe start with just an outline of each character ( and that's just what they are). describe each one in detaail, yes, lots of great advice here, thank you.
