Have you ever wanted to write a book, but didn't know how to start? Have you ever started writing a book, but got stuck and didn't know how to continue? Or even derailed from the original plan? The following information shares some powerful tips for sprucing up, developing, and writing your new book.
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Method 1 of 7: Drafting
Step 1. Find an idea
Before you start writing a book, you need story ideas. This idea is the seed of your book. However, finding a concept can be difficult. Ideas usually come when you're open to experiencing things. Yes, the best way to come up with ideas is to get out of the house and get active.
Initial concepts can take various forms. You may come up with an idea for a storyline that is not yet specific. It may also be a description of the situation and setting, the profile of the main character, or even small ideas that have not yet developed. As crude as it is, any idea can turn into an extraordinary book
Step 2. Do some research on the concept
Once you find a concept that's still vague, start researching it for more ideas. For example, let's say you want to write a book about children playing futuristic video games. Do your research by visiting arcade game centers (eg Timezone), reading up on the latest game innovations, and playing some games. While doing these activities, you may witness or experience things that give you an idea of what your story will be about. You can also include that experience in the story.
Step 3. Develop a concept
Once you've come up with ideas to include in your story, you'll want to develop those concepts. Make the concept more complex. Develop the concept until it ends with a logical conclusion. Think about what will happen as a result of a series of events, or whatever makes the ideas more complex. More developed concepts will help you build a storyline.
For our story about video games, for example, we can develop it by asking, who is the maker of futuristic video games? Why did they make it? What happened to the players?
Step 4. Consider the reader
When finding and developing a concept, you need to consider your readers. Who did you write the book for? Different people, different interests. Everyone's knowledge and experience also varies, depending on demographics. Consider all of this so that you understand how the storyline and characters developed and the writing of the book went.
Don't limit yourself. Even though the book is about children playing video games, that doesn't mean adult readers who have never played video games can't enjoy it. However, if you intend to write a book for readers who have never experienced the content you wrote, you must describe the experiences of the characters and describe the topic in a way that is easy to understand
Method 2 of 7: Tidying Up the Storyline
Step 1. Choose a narrative structure
In the early stages of writing a book, you need to tidy up the storyline. You can, of course, leave room for improvisation when you start writing, but writing a story without a plan rarely pays off. Start by choosing a structure that works for you. The theory of writing teaches that there are several classical narrative structures, which are used by most literary works. However, most do not contradict each other. It can even be combined. The two main narrative structures are:
- Act structure: Usually used in plays and films, act structure can be easily applied to novels. According to this theory of structure, a good story is one that is broken down into easily recognizable parts. Usually there are 3 sections, but 2 or 4 sections are also common. In a classic 3-act narrative structure, the first act introduces the main and secondary characters, the setting, the problem to be overcome, and usually background information. This chapter contains 25% of the whole story. The second act describes and develops the conflict. This chapter usually contains plot points where the main character faces a major setback or disaster. This is the essence of the story, and usually makes up 50% of the whole story. The third act is the conclusion, where the hero confronts the villain, and the story reaches a climax, ending with one or a series of scenes that are satisfying or--at least--less tense. Each act can usually be broken down into 3 sub-sections, each presenting a fragment of the story.
- Mononomyth or Hero's Journey: This theory of narrative structure was introduced by Joseph Campbell. According to him, almost every story with a hero can be summed up as a series of main archetypes. It starts with a hero who is called to adventure even though he initially resists the burden. The hero gets help before crossing his normal world to a special one. He has always been known to be enamored of adventures (where he feels lost and alone at first). The hero then passes a number of tests. This was when he usually met the supporting characters. At the end of the exam he underwent a significant personal change. The hero then comes face to face with the main antagonist, wins, and returns home with the prize bestowed upon him.
Step 2. Select the type of conflict
You need to think about the type of conflict you want to include in the story. This step helps you develop your storyline as well as directs you to other similar stories. From these stories you can get inspiration. There are many theories regarding the types of conflict, but the main ones include:
- Man against nature: In this story, the main character fights against natural phenomena. For example, he gets lost in the wild, or has to face an animal antagonist. An example of a story that raises this kind of conflict is the film 127 Hours.
- Humans fight supernatural forces: In this story, the main character fights supernatural beings such as ghosts and demons, God, or other entities that are not from our world. The Shining is an example of a story that raises this conflict.
- Human against human: This conflict is classified as the most basic, where the main character is against other people. The Wizard of Oz is one such example.
- Man against civilization: This conflict depicts the main character against the rules or norms of society. For example, the novel Fahrenheit 451.
- Man against himself: In this story, the main character goes against his own mind, or experiences inner conflict. For example, the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Step 3. Choose a theme
Intentionally or not, your story ultimately has a theme. This is the essence of the story. By writing this theme, you are stating what you think about it. Think about the themes listed as well as those you could include in your book. What do you want to say about the theme? This step helps you develop the storyline. The trick, present situations that can present your ideas.
Frank Herbert's Dune, for example, is not about a man trying to avenge his family. The novel actually discusses the risks of imperialism. Herbert clearly expressed his belief that the Western powers were entangled in situations in which they did not belong, which they had no control over
Step 4. Plan the groove points
Plot points, known as plot points, are turning points in your story. It's usually an important event that changes the course of your character's life. You need to plan, what these important events are. Try to arrange them in a balanced way throughout the storyline. There are plot points that come in handy in convincing your character that he should continue his adventure. This is the point where the character's plans to solve the problem are lost, replaced by a climax that provokes the final battle.
Step 5. Create an outline
Once you know your direction and how to get there, write it all down. This outline is your guide, which is vital to a smooth writing process. Write down the fundamental facts of each scene. What is the purpose of the scene? What kind of characters are in that scene? Where are they? What do they think and feel? Also write in detail the sequence of events for each scene. This is the best way to prevent crippling "writer's block". Your book should at least cover the fundamental facts of each scene, even if you don't think your story is perfect.
Method 3 of 7: Developing Characters
Step 1. Determine the number of characters
When planning your book, think about how many characters you want to use. It can be as little as possible to create a feeling of minimalism and loneliness. Or rather many characters, which are useful to form a complex and detailed world. This step is important because you need to plot the characters at the same time to balance them out.
Step 2. Balance the characters
No human being is kind, great at everything, without flaws at all (the term for such a character in writing is "Mary Sue" and, believe me, no one will like her except you). Equip your characters with real struggles and flaws to make them even more realistic. Readers will love it too. Remember, your readers have flaws, so your characters should have flaws too.
The character's flaws give you the opportunity to improve on them throughout the story. This is the condition of a good story. Your character goes through challenges that turn him into a better person at the end of the story. Readers want it! Reading stories like that, they can believe that they too can be better people at the end of their struggles
Step 3. Get to know the characters
Once you have balanced characters, get to know them. Imagine how they would react in various situations (even if those situations would never be in your book). Imagine what it takes to trigger certain emotions in them, what their hopes and dreams are, what makes them cry, who the people are most important to them, and why. By getting to know your characters, you can better understand how they act in the situations you will create for them. As a result, they become consistent and more realistic characters.
Step 4. Evaluate the character
As you develop characters further, you should step back and evaluate the characters. Make sure they are really important to the storyline. If not, just delete it. If there are too many characters, especially characters who have never played a unique role, the reader can get confused. There's no point in your book either.
Method 4 of 7: Designing the Background
Step 1. Imagine the setting of the story
Determine the location of your book. Imagine how the architecture looks, how the layout of the city, what nature looks like, and so on. Then write everything down. This step helps to keep your description not only consistent, but detailed as well. As a result, the background created is stronger and more realistic.
You can tell other people that the sky is blue. All you need to do is convince him. The trick is to suggest that when the sun goes down, the sky fades from a pale green like leaves to a warm green, while everything around it looks dull, before a curtain of darkness falls like crow's feathers. Invite the reader to witness it through vivid narrative, which you can only do if you understand it well
Step 2. Think logistics
Say you are writing about a group of adventurers trying to reach a legendary city on the other side of a mountain. Great idea! The problem is, crossing the mountain takes a long time. Various things can also happen along the way. Don't let them finish it in 2 days without anything happening. Is crossing a mountain as easy as snapping a finger? If they have to cross the continent on foot, allocate enough time for that journey in the storyline.
Step 3. Understand the senses
The ability to captivate all of the reader's senses is essential if you want them to be completely immersed in your words. Don't just mention what your character eats. Reveal how the meat broth melts deeply as he bites into it, giving it a burst of fat and smoky flavour. Don't simply state that the bell is ringing directly above your character's head. Explain how the loudness of the voice pierced every thought until only awareness of the ringing remained.
Method 5 of 7: Preparing Writing Tools and Places
Step 1. Choose a writing method
How do you write a book? As technology develops, of course, there are more and more choices. You need to decide, what method is most suitable for you. But, remember, your choices will affect the publication of the book.
You can write book content with pen and paper, type on a typewriter, type on a computer, or use a program that records your voice and translates it into written text. Different authors, different methods are also suitable
Step 2. Decide where to write
You need a fairly spacious room, where you can write without distractions. The place should be able to accommodate the writing method you choose, be comfortable enough, and not be accompanied by a lot of distractions. For example, a cafe, office, or library.
Step 3. Provide comfort
You have to make sure that you don't get distracted while writing. Therefore, prepare in advance everything you need. Some people have certain habits, which must be readily available when they write, such as favorite foods or sitting in a certain chair. Make sure your unique needs are met before you start writing.
Method 6 of 7: Setting a Writing Schedule
Step 1. Understand your writing habits
Do you write better at certain times or in certain locations? Could it be that your peak performance is precisely when you have just finished reading someone else's book? Get to know how you write so you know what to do and what to avoid. Then design a writing schedule according to that habit.
Step 2. Write regularly
Once you've decided on the hours that work best for you, and there's a schedule you've set, stick to it. Use that time only to write. You can write freely or plan a novel. The important thing is, during those hours your activity is only writing! That way, habits will form, and you'll be more productive.
Step 3. Break the "writer's block"
Sometimes writing can be difficult, but don't stop and ignore the problem. Otherwise, your book might not be finished. Do whatever inspires you. Then continue writing. Even when it feels sluggish and much more difficult, force yourself to keep writing! After all, that part can be repaired after your spirit recovers.
Method 7 of 7: Seek Specific Advice
Step 1. Start writing your book
You have completed all the important steps and twists needed to plan the book. Now is the time to write! On wikiHow there are several articles on how to write a book, which you can use as a reference:
- How to Write a Book
- How to Write an Autobiography
- How to Write a Book as a Teen
- How to Write a Book for Kids
- How to Write a Convincing Fantasy Story
- How to Self Publish a Book
- How to Publish an Ebook
- How to Write a Short Story
- How to Write a Novel
- How to Write Novella
- How to Write the End of a Novel
- How to Design Novels
- How to Write an Outline
- How to Write a Book about the Unexpected
- How to Prepare for Book Writing
- How to Write Your Life Book
Tips
- Always carry a pen or pencil and a notepad (either book or electronic) so you can jot down ideas at any time. Ideas usually come at the most unexpected times and places. You must always be ready!
- Don't be afraid to ask others for help. Ask other people's opinions about your book. Sometimes it's really hard to criticize yourself. Others are more likely to admit that your book isn't that great.
- Don't put a title before your book is finished. A good title usually only comes up after you double-check the entire book.
- Ask others to read your book; every single chapter might be easier. Their opinion may differ from yours. Consider each suggestion and criticism.
- Your book is more likely to sell if it is 200-250 pages thick.
