Many writers always have the same comment when they see that a reader, on the same day their book came out, has already read it. And it is that writing is not as easy or as fast as reading a novel. But have you ever wondered how to start writing a book?
If you have the writing bug and would like to know what steps the authors take, or what recommendations we can give you, then we will give you a hand.
Steps to write a book
Knowing how to start writing a book is easy. Put it into practice and that a good book comes out of it, not so much. But don't get discouraged, because the truth is that it's easier than you think.
Despite the fact that every writer wants their "baby", as they call their books, to be the most appreciated by all readers and to catapult them to fame, the truth is that, to achieve that, many other things have to be done. .
Meanwhile, how about we give you the keys to start writing a book? Take note of them.
Create your writing space
Whenever we have to study, work or focus on something, we look for a place where we are calm, we feel comfortable and we do not have any type of distraction. same thing is what you should get to start to write a book.
It may seem silly, and perhaps you can concentrate even when the television is on or even when they speak to you, but if you are new, this space is very suitable because you can have everything to your liking and you will also be in an environment that encourages your creativity.
This will make the story flow much better.
have an idea
If you want to write a book, it is essential to know what you are going to write about. In addition, with a little research you will be able to know if that plot that has occurred to you is similar to one that is already on the market.
Note that, the more original it is the better it will be, especially to avoid haters and people who will come after you for "plagiarizing", "copying ideas", etc. from other writer(s).
plan the structure
In your head you may have the whole story. Or maybe you only have traces of what can happen. Either way, One of the best recommendations on how to start writing a book is to organize the chapters, what is going to happen, etc.
eye, that does not mean that you have to follow it to the letter. Normally, when a writer "assembles" his planning, there comes a time when he has to restructure it because the book has taken shape and it may be that a chapter is divided into 2; let one disappear; more to be added...
It is not something fixed, but it gives you the possibility to start and have clearer ideas. There will come a time when the characters will take over in that planning and force you to restructure everything.
Summary of characters
This is something that is not always recommended, but that we see as essential. Especially since one of the failings of many first-time writers is the fact that they put their character in one way and then in the story they change it.
An example, a girl who is blonde. And suddenly, at a certain part of the novel, she tells herself that she is brunette. And nothing has happened for that change.
The character sheets help you to know:
- Character's first and last name.
- Relationship (if you put parents, cousins, uncles…).
- Physical description: tall, thin, chubby, short, with a tattoo, hair, beard, etc. You are describing a person and the more you do it, the better clear that character will be.
- Personality: It is important because in this way you can make the character evolve throughout the story.
- Curiosities: something related to him, with other protagonists or secondary, etc.
Narrator
Before you start writing like crazy, it is important to know how you are going to set up the story. Will it be in the first person? In third? This will make it possible for you to have more or less freedom.
For example, if you choose the first, you will not be able to make known the point of view of other characters, because you will have to tell the story seen from that character. So there will be things you don't know.
On the other hand, with the third person, yes. you can have several voices and delve into all the characters main you want.
time to document
Before you start writing, now that you know everything you have to do, you should consider if documentation is necessary or not. For example, if you are going to talk about the present time and in the same city where you live, the most normal thing is that you carry out the documentation at the same time that you write.
But if you do a historical novel and you want it to have consistency, you need to at least create the groundwork and put in what it would be like at that time. Another thing is that you can then take some licenses, that is, introduce details or things that are not real at that time, but that your story has. An example of this could be that women wear pants instead of dresses, when it is not usual for her to do this (and it was also frowned upon).
Focus the writing on your audience
If you write for young children you will not be able to use certain words that they will not understand. And no matter how much you say it's to "culturize" them, the only thing you'll get is that they won't read your book.
So adapt your language to the target audience you are addressingwhether they are children, adolescents, young adults, or adults.
We could say that the last step to start writing a novel is to enjoy the process. There will be times when you get stuck, when the novel doesn't flow, when your characters get into certain troubles and in the end you have to reinvent the novel again. But that is part of the creation and we already told you that, when you put the final point, you will miss those characters in your head. It is true that they will leave room for other stories, but the first one will be very special. Do you dare to it?