I'm writing a book.

[punjman]

Or at least attempting to. Does anyone have any pointers? I have to be completely honest, Im a beginner, and I'm not the best with Written Grammar. I know about quotes, quoted quotes, etc. But when it comes to Conversation Structure (if thats even a real term) etc, I'm kinda in the dark.

I just know I have this story in me, and I want to write about it. Ive got some of the character development done, part of a timeline, etc. Its going to be a sci-fi story/book, and I was wondering if anyone has any pointers, or maybe some websites to steer writing beginners in the 'write' direction.. haw, that was a lame joke.

Thanks.

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[shawn]

If you do the timeline well and take your time and reread each section as your writing this to make sure it works with any previous sections and leads to the next smoothly are the only things I know about writing well from the pros. I'm sure there are other tips/tricks but I'm sure flash and others here will gladly pass them onto you. <img src=smilies/magbiggrin.gif>

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[CEpeep]

I've taught a couple of writing classes to younger students over the last two years, but writing has no true age gap. First thing I tell people: Don't worry about spelling/grammar/punctuation/structure/flow/anything until you're ready to show it to someone to edit. For now, write your story. Make outlines. Brainstorm. Get all of your ideas out there, then go back and finish writing it. If you have any more specific questions, I should be able to help.
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[Lobster Cowboy]

here are a few tips i can give you:

1. research research research

2. speak aloud all dialogue that you write

3. don't be afraid to knock your characters in the dirt. great motivation comes out of great conflict. the higher the stakes, the better the pay off

4. don't edit as you write. just write. there's time for editing when the draft is done. i like to think of a book as a sculpture. you chip away until you get the shape you want, and once that's done, you start polishing away the rough edges, and getting rid of what doesn't work.

5. you DO NOT talk about fight club.

good luck.

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[Fla Flash]

Just write, bud. I outlined my book and it took over seven years to finish. Grammar, punctuation, etc. can all be fixed later. That's what editors are for. :P
Put the words down on paper. You'll do fine.

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[Swan3983]

> story/book, and I was wondering if anyone has any pointers,

Make sure to write from the heart, things that are forced tend to be bland. As long as you make sure to get down what you want to say, things will go fine. Don't worry about the spelling and grammer until you've got the main stuff down, then as you're adding/removing parts, you can look at some of that. Basically, just make sure that it makes sense and that people can read it, the other stuff really doesn't matter until you need a completely final draft.

I've taken some creative writing classes, and I have enough material on some of my characters I developed to write a full length novel... however, I'm lazy, so I probably won't.<img src=smilies/magbiggrin.gif>

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[Danoz]

Write and complete short stories first. I too have had a desire to write a novel, but it's smart to write short, 3-10 page stories with a beginning, middle and end before you get started on the big hoss.

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[fairykiller]

> Write and complete short stories first.

Or even poetry. It teaches you to pare things down instead of floating away, and tie words and lines together seamlessly so everything sounds essential. Don't know if that made sense. Also, writing short stories keeps you in sight of the 'plot', no matter how vague the plot is in itself. Really good practice - even if you want to write deliberately incoherent stuff, it helps to be able to control the incoherence in as short a form as possible first; you'll find that it guides you when you're writing longer fiction. Either way, good luck.

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