I'm Thinking About Writing a Book.

[Silent7Sniper7]

So I've always wanted to just try and write a book but never really knew what it should be about. Until last night.. i've always been interested in war and thought this is the best topic for me.

I have a title and a rough idea of a story line. I've had a look online for tips and advice and found a lot of helpful information but wanted peoples opinions before I go ahead with it.

I was gonna call it "The Future of War"

For now I was thinking about a WW lll idea, the government needs soldiers so they get every man that can fight to join the army. Then I was thinking about focusing on one character and his story of why he's fighting.

I'm open for any ideas good or bad.

 

[W3H5]

I've written many. Some complete, long winded, over descriptive tripe, some genuinely marvellous Sci-Fi short stories. Thing is, I'm not a writer (novel) by trade, I write for magazines (real world & on-line) so really have, thus far in life, satisfied my cravings for being published.

I do want to publish a novel in the future but I think I'll wait until I really nail a good story.

 

[Silent7Sniper7]

Is it best to write it by hand or on computer?

 

[Joey D]

Your idea sounds like it was already taken by the Modern Warfare story line to some degree. Just be careful not to make it to similar. And do research, lots of research. See what military projects are scheduled to be called into service over the next 15 or so years (like the Joint Strike Fighter), look into the experimental stuff that's currently known, learn how drafts works, learn some basic military strategy so you can write about troop movements effectively and read up on predictions for future world events.

Get close friends or family to read sections of the book so they can give you feedback, it's hard to see flaws in your own writing so this will help make your book better. Oh and don't be long winded, reader want a good story, they don't need to know every little thing in great detail.

I've written novelettes before, but I've never made any effort to actually get them published

And write it on a computer, it's easier to make changes as you go along.

 

[Techy]

Is it best to write it by hand or on computer?

It's better on the computer, as you can edit things out easily. And as Joey D said, make sure you let one of your friends or relatives read it for feedback.

 

[Silent7Sniper7]

I'll never get it published, I just feel like having a go. During my school years I hated English but was always good at writing stories.

I see what you mean about it sounding like COD but I will make sure it doesn't turn out like it.

I'll message you with other ideas to see what you think of them.

 

[TankAss95]

An idea would be that due to global warming the coastlines changed as the water rose. Due to the damage done war broke out due to pressure and desperation.

My imaginative mind lol.

 

[Silent7Sniper7]

Just to let everyone know I've started the book

 

[ScouserInExile]

How are you going about writing it? Have you sketched out the storyline, planed your chapters etc? Or are you just starting at the beginning and going from there?

 

[Silent7Sniper7]

How are you going about writing it? Have you sketched out the storyline, planed your chapters etc? Or are you just starting at the beginning and going from there?

Just been writing down ideas, draft bits of work, information etc so I'm ready to start the real thing.

 

[Steele_obsidion]

I am currently trying my hand at a book. its not easy but just concentrate and focus. if you want to get a published book, a small novel is around 140,000-200,000 words!

good luck!

 

[Machate-man]

Just to let everyone know I've started the book

Is there any way for you to put it up on Google Documents? That would make it easier for us to view, and you can edit it from any computer, so long as you have internet.

I attempted to write some things, but never had the will to continue anything...

 

[RTSolvalou]

A tip I know of is to not share any of your progress with anyone, as it subconsciously demotivates you and makes you get lazy with it.

Other things to consider/guidelines that may help:
* Don't over-describe locations - leave something for the reader
* Conflict is crucial - present characters with challenges - make the reader wonder how a character will deal with a problem.
* Set up beginning events quickly - Trick that adds pace.
* Lack of conflict kills the middle of the story - watch out for sag, but also when the story takes a break from conflicts, make sure it's not for too long.
* Get big book of synonyms and a thesaurus - but don't use old forgotten words
* Intro needs to build expectation of escalation
* Set out main plots and sub plots in a planning sheet
* First conflict should be of main plot
* Reader needs to know subconsciously what to focus on plot-wise
* Don't play games with the reader at the beginning - it will confuse them
* Give reader solid ground to stand on before twisting story (if you know what I mean)
* Don't overcomplicate the opening, don't have 6 people doing 6 different noteable things
* End sub plot before end of first quarter of end section
* Dead people are still characters - make some references/mentionings
* Don't introduce all main characters at once (most books anyway)
* De-humanised/sterile characters are not very effective (which is where Waterworld suffered, he was gruff and stoic, but they did it wrong)
* If you've got multiple mains, let the reader know that you will be switching to other characters early on, and makes changes at the end of chapters/scenes, and use 3rd person text to bring in the new character.
* 'Chapters are artificial', write the story in scenes? Chapters are for evening out breaks and scenes/days in story
* Chapter 1 must tell the reader the style of the book
* Characters performing certain actions to demonstrate a strong relationship between them - no words spoken.

Just from some notes I have compiled, also, clear your room of clutter.

Life is about sacrifices, and doing things you don't want to do, some things in your day to day may need to be cut loose, make sure you devote time to novel writing so that the mandatory things don't get in the way as much. Internet/Forum trawling is lethal to productivity.
Don't worry about non-believers telling you that you won't succeed in the big world, you'll get to rub it in their face later and laugh at them heartilly.