I want to write a novel..

Agent Orange · 05-01-2012, 09:40

but I am struggling to come up with a gripping story or a fresh concept. If you were in my shoes, what would be the basis of your story. Please give me a very brief, brief

Don't worry, I won't steal your ideas

metalman · 05-01-2012, 09:42

In that case then, no, you don't want to write a novel.

Agent Orange · 05-01-2012, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalman

In that case then, no, you don't want to write a novel.

It could be about nothing... that's what most novels seem to be about these days. Seriously though, I do have some ideas, but trying find one that will work well.

How about this... a story based on manofstrad. Rich man living in a poor world type story. It could almost be a modern dickens.

Soulgirl75 · 05-01-2012, 09:56

They say we all have a book in us......... I'm writing one but it's factual and not a novel - all about the 'variety' of men I have met in my life and subsequent experiences this has led to........ will end up a tragic comedy!

Agent Orange · 05-01-2012, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulgirl75

They say we all have a book in us......... I'm writing one but it's factual and not a novel - all about the 'variety' of men I have met in my life and subsequent experiences this has led to........ will end up a tragic comedy!

We all have a book in us... talk about discomfort. I like tragic comedies.

Soulgirl75 · 05-01-2012, 10:05

I'll send you the first edition..... will be a relief to get it out! haha!

Agent Orange · 05-01-2012, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulgirl75

I'll send you the first edition..... will be a relief to get it out! haha!

I would get mine out, but I am afraid people will laught at my efforts.

Soulgirl75 · 05-01-2012, 10:08

I promise not to laugh - do you have anything in draft we could review?

Marky1 · 05-01-2012, 10:09

Stephen King wrote a great book on how to write stories. My brother was talking about it last week. I'll have to get the name again.

Agent Orange · 05-01-2012, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulgirl75

I promise not to laugh - do you have anything in draft we could review?

It is a story about ducks.

sccsux · 05-01-2012, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

I would get mine out

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

but I am afraid people will laught at my efforts.

I thought this was supposed to be a family friendly forum

.

curriechick · 05-01-2012, 10:15

I've often thought it is something I would like to do, many years ago my aunt wrote a book for children based on her three grandchildren and using some of their adventures and making some more up. She used her own money to have it printed and gave out several copies to family members which she proudly signed I don't know where my copy went, it wasn't a great book but we enjoyed it as we knew the characters as it were.

WeX · 05-01-2012, 10:15

write what you know.

spooky3 · 05-01-2012, 10:17

Make a long list of silly unrelated words.

Get a book of Greek mythology. (Preferably one sectioned into type of story). Then choose one, break it down and analyse the story structure.

Next randomly pick your silly words and replace the elements of the original story with them.

Then stare at blank paper in a typewriter and open a few bottles of Scotch...

metalman · 05-01-2012, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marky1

Stephen King wrote a great book on how to write stories. My brother was talking about it last week. I'll have to get the name again.

It was just called 'On Writing'.

Soulgirl75 · 05-01-2012, 17:50

Agent Orange - what are you going to call it........ Flying Low?!...... ducks......

metalman · 05-01-2012, 18:27

And will the heroine be brutally defoliated?

MWhateley · 05-01-2012, 19:41

Start off with something simple. Like :-

A girl solves crime.

Then ask questions. Like What makes her special?

A girl solves crime with mind powers.

This then leads me to wonder why anyone would believe her.

A girl solves crime with mind powers. No one believes she can do it, except one police woman.

Why would the police woman believe in her?

A girl solves crime with mind powers. No one believes she can do it, except one police woman. The police woman lost her sister when she was a child, a local physic led the police to her body when no one else could.

Now what does the policewomen want out of her?

Etc etc etc, until you have a good storyline. Then mix in some sub plots, foreshadowing and flashbacks and hey presto.

Obviously it's not quite that easy, but it gives you an idea.

De Batz · 05-01-2012, 20:50

I just have a question: what do you mean by the claim that you want to write a novel but you don't know what to write it about?
I'm not really sure I understand the sense of what you're saying.

Having said that, if you want to be inspired to write, have a read of the monthly competitions. They'll give you some ideas.
Try entering them as well! Short fiction is in lots of ways more rewarding and is certainly more manageable than a novel-sized project.

SarahD · 13-01-2012, 10:23

If you don't come up with your own idea then you won't be interested enough to write the novel!

Read read and read. Get inspiration from books. Brainstorm. Write short stories. Write characters. Come up with a first line and then go. I'd write a couple of chapters to get into it (even if you don't know the plot line) and then think about the structure of the plot line. The first draft of your first novel is always going to be about experimentation so don't expect too much from it and then the hard work comes in with the editing.

Try to write the first draft in 3 months tops and then spend a long time in the editing process. Get people to read it and give you comments and try not to get too frustrated!

Good luck!