Expert: Susan Rand - 12/3/2004

Question
I think i have some great ideas but i dont really know how to start. I have some of the people and players in some of the books and some plots but its the whole story that i need help in. How do i get started and make my dreams reality.  

Answer
Hello Eric!

So you have decided to write a book, or maybe a whole series of them. Excellent!

If I were in your position here's what I would do. If you have regular access to a computer, make a file for each book and label it with a working title. If you can't think of one, use "Book A" "Book B" etc. If you don't have regular access to a computer, you can do the same in a 3-ring notebook or on 3x5 cards. The idea is to organize your material so you can see what you've got and what's missing.

Under the title, make categories:

CHARACTERS:
Physiological: Appearance/body/any problems/strengths
Psychological: Mental health, problems if any, worldview
Sociological: Problems/strengths in relation to other people.

PLOT/CONFLICT:
Who's in conflict with whom, and why, and what happens as a result. Outline this.

SETTING: Where is the story set? Why? How will you work this into the story?

DIALOGUE: Each character should be recognizable by speech alone - how will you distinguish them?

When you have done all that, you should be able to do a first draft of each. Some authors like to do action and dialogue first, then add the setting later. Here are some hints on how to proceed:

1. Follow your outline. Make your beginning interesting and compelling. Make it raise a question in the reader's mind. This makes the reader anxious (wanting the question answered) until it is answered, or put off, and another question is raised.

2. Fill your book with strong characters who act, instead of just reacting.

3. Make the characters appealing by making them human. Humans have dreams and goals; they suffer and learn; they make mistakes - stupid mistakes, even - and often cannot explain them; they like and dislike other characters; they blunder and stumble around; they rise to the occasion; they display emotion and react to others' emotions, etc.

4. Make your story ABOUT something. Have something to say about how people live or how they should live.

To make your dreams a reality, do what every good writer does: study, practice, study and practice. Join some writers' forums. Try writing short excerpts from your books, and study them, or post them online for critique. (SAVE THESE. SAVE EVERYTHING). Accept the criticism, reply with "thank you for your comments." That's all. Don't argue, you'll only slow your progress. Read books you like and try to figure out how the author caused you to respond like you did.

I hope this has helped. If it has, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high score over 320+ questions.

And good luck with your writing!