Where to Begin
Where to begin
What type of book do you want to write? Most people will tell
you to start with something you know. What if you could put what
you know into a completely new dimension? You could be creating
a new category. Whatever you many choose just remember every
story or book must have a beginning to capture your reader, a
middle that moves the reader along to your ending where the
conflicts are resolved, and makes your readers laugh, cry, smile
or ponder what you have written about.
There are many categories that publishers will label different
books. Here are a few, however the list is endless and can be
broken down into many new sub-categories. * Mainstream Novels o
Works that are intended for the general public and include
subjects such as, family life, coming of age, courtroom dram,
and dealing with physical problems, but is not limited to. *
Literary Novels o Used mostly for writers best known for their
particular styles and re-creation of classic styles. *
Philosophical Novels o Written to make a point about life's
meaning. * Religious Novels o Published mostly be religious
publishing houses. * Action/Adventure/Thriller o Fast paces
action that can take place in exotic locations and are set in
present or recent past. Suspense is another term for this type
of category. * Romance o Geared mainly towards women and deal
with courtship. They can bee set in any period of history or
present. * Science Fiction/Fantasy o Science Fiction is based on
technology, effects of science and theories of people and places
in the near or far future. Fantasy is usually about magic or
alternate worlds. They can include dragons, witches and sorcery
but don't have to. * Horror o Ghosts, witches, mummies, monsters
and the like are used as the main characters with the powers to
scare us. * Crime o Mysteries, and detective novels that
describe crime in forms such as puzzles, actions, often murder.
* Animal Stories o One or more main characters are animals. *
Juvenile/Young Adult Novels o This type of work will usually
have a protagonist the same age the book is intended for. *
Children's Picture Books o Usually written in short rhymes such
as a stanza in a poem. Accompanied with full colour pictures
that draw the child into the imaginary setting of the story. By
now, I am sure that you have a good idea of the type of book you
have in mind. Here are a few general tips on what you should do
before you put that pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard. 1.
Decide on a basic category you want to write for or see if you
can combine more that one together. 2. Look at novels of the
same type and aim to write your book to the same length. 3. Read
many books by many different authors in the category of your
choice to get writing styles and techniques. 4. Draw readers
into your story by providing situations that they can relate to.
Making sure that each situation is suited for the appropriate
age group. 5. Research your topic thoroughly. You will lose your
credibility with your readers if your situations or resolutions
are filled with conflicting information or inadequate
descriptions. 6. Be yourself and write what you like, let your
writing reflect a part of you.
One great source of ideas for your story is your daily
newspaper. From what is happening in your community. The
shooting that involved a neighbourhood child to the plans to
build that new mode of transportation. You can also check the
advice column. There you can find enough real life situations to
last a lifetime of writing. Every story must follow a general
structure of beginning, middle, and end but can have many
different sub-plots as long as everything ties together by the
time you are finished. The first line of your book will either
grab the reader or make them put it down. It must reach the
reader and give a hint of what to expect from the story.