Creative writing

[MsScoundress]

I 've always wanted to write but never had a start! How, where, what ....those are the 3 major contributors to my extreme-endless procrastination. I need a good book as a reference, perhaps a good website to start off with, or anything .....appreciate if peeps could exchange your juicy ideas here ....cheers!

[IEvo]

Well... you're welcome to read my site. It's not specific to author's, but it has a lot of solid advice and it all comes from my own personal experience. I finished writing my first novel in May of this year, and am currently pursuing getting it published, so believe me when I say I know what you're going through!

What do you want to write? Fiction or non-fiction?

In actuality, the method is generally the same. I used this: How To Write A Novel Using The Snowflake Method which I followed very loosely and it did a wonderful job and gave me some direction when it came to constructing my novel.

There's no secret here. In order to write a book all you need to do is sit down and start writing. There are no credentials needed, no special resources you need to read, no magic key to open the novel writing world to you.

As someone who has already done what you're setting out to do, my advice is that you read up on that snowflake method and then immediately start writing. Your desire for a good book or a lengthy resource on the topic is really just your fear talking.

I did the same thing. It's a great method of procrastinating. Unfortunately, the only way to get started is to just get started. Nothing else. You're not going to feel like you know what you're doing or that you're prepared. You just have to do it anyway.

Finally, I'd like to wish you luck. Writing fiction is what I always wanted to do with my life and having finally done it I can tell you that nothing feels better. If you really think that your passion lies in writing, despite how hard everyone will tell you it is, I can tell you that it is totally, absolutely one hundred percent worth it.

[MsScoundress]

thank you for your kind words & tips! i know i must start somewhere, and if i make a point to write at least 200 words a day, it will take me somewhere in a month's time ....i haven't figured what i should write but i love memoirs and biography! do let us know when your book is published! cheers!

[invisiblehouses]

I just started writing again after a ten-year period of silence. I'm a little less than one-third of the way through that Difficult First Novel, which I started on July 12, 2010. Here's what I've either learned or begun to suspect so far:

• Write what you'd love to read. If it's art, fine. If it's pulpy trash, fine.
• Write your first draft alone, and do not let anyone read the "latest chapter" or any of that business. You need to finish this first draft, all the way through, first. Nobody else sees it until the second draft or later.
• Write quickly. It keeps the energy high. You can edit out the suck later.
• Don't worry about themes and meaning too much. Just write a story. You can edit in the deep-ness later.
• Don't worry too much about the quality/marketability of that first work. I feel that novels are like pancakes--you gotta throw the first one to the dog anyway.
• The most important thing about the first one is to start it, and then to finish it. You need to experience the whole process. It gets easier after that. I hope.
• When you're done with the first one, start the next one.
• Go start right now. Yes, NOW!!!

If you really want to read something related to the subject, I'm a real evangelist for The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and On Writing by Stephen King. Yes, King writes pulp. But he knows a little, too.

[James81]

Actually, I've been offering people free sessions on my website (which is actually currently in a transition phase so no info there at the moment lol), and one of those sessions is something I have dubbed "The Creativity Session" and it's designed for people just like you, who seem blocked. I have yet to do one of these sessions, so I have no idea how it might turn out, but I've got some plans in that regard for how the session will go and how to overcome a block.

If you're interested, send me a PM. Like I said, it's free and the only payment I would ask for would be a testimonial (only if you got value from it). (Unless you wanted to make a donation of some sort, which we could work out.)

I kind of imagine it would probably take up to 2 hours give or take. I dunno, though, cause I haven't done one yet.

[Mused]

Two books I've found very useful that contain a wide range of short creative writing exercises 3 AM Epiphany and 4 AM Breakthrough both by Brian Kiteley

[MsScoundress]

thanks Mused...do you have the ISBN? cheers!

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by IEvo

I finished writing my first novel in May of this year, and am currently pursuing getting it published, so believe me when I say I know what you're going through!

I had my first book published last year. I'm working on my second one now. Prior to that, I had lots of individual works published in literary journals, anthologies etc.

Originally Posted by MsScoundress

i know i must start somewhere, and if i make a point to write at least 200 words a day, it will take me somewhere in a month's time

Actually, a lot of writing is rewriting. Editing, revising etc.

Originally Posted by invisiblehouses

[*]Don't worry too much about the quality/marketability of that first work. I feel that novels are like pancakes--you gotta throw the first one to the dog anyway.

Pancakes are bad for dogs.

Originally Posted by Mused

3 AM Epiphany

I have that one too.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by MsScoundress

I need a good book as a reference, perhaps a good website to start off with, or anything .....

You need a small piece of real life. Add two teaspoons of plot; one scoop of imagination; and two major characters. Pour into a setting and mix well with a plot. There you have it - a short story.

[MsScoundress]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

You need a small piece of real life. Add two teaspoons of plot; one scoop of imagination; and two major characters. Pour into a setting and mix well with a plot. There you have it - a short story.

Witty, I'll take that advice, thank you!