Any tips for someone trying to write a book...
Ok, so I'm trying to write a book, I've completed part 3 and most of part 4. but if theres anyone on here who knows more about writeing books, I have some questions...
how long should a chapter or part be? My "chapters" are called parts, the number of pages in each one varies, but most are around 4 to 5 computer paper pages. (have not printed anything out yet)
what's the best way to create dialog? I use the " symbols for when people speak. "Example"
How big should the letters be? I always use somewhat larger scale when typeing so it's easyier to see the words.
Any other tips someone could give me?
I'm writing the second story before the first... becuase I just have the ideas right for the second one.
also, is it really so wierd for a 20 year old guy, to write a story were most of the the characters are female, ages 18 and older? (I started writing several years ago, but only recently got things to work right for me) The characters go to an Academy that is for girls only, so thats why they are all female. The first story had male characters as well, but the second story does not and is about a girl and her best friend.
the second story has a character who is named "Lilith" I thought it would add a form of mystery too the story, So it's kinda hard to explain with out reading what I am writing.
there are also characters who may possibly be lovers, yet they are both female. it's a thing that one of them denies. but both are teased for.
So, theres way to much to include in this post. just looking for tips on how to properally write a decent book.
what's the best way to create dialog? I use the " symbols for when people speak. "Example"
How big should the letters be? I always use somewhat larger scale when typeing so it's easyier to see the words.
Any other tips someone could give me?
I'm writing the second story before the first... becuase I just have the ideas right for the second one.
Chapters can be as short as a single sentence or as long as the entire book. It's best to simply use them to separate major and/or minor events in the plot. Letters should probably be 12-point times new roman. Quotes are fine for dialog, just make sure to indicate who's speaking, although for back and forth dialog between two characters you can exclude explicit name references when it can be implied which person is saying what.
I notice that, even in your post, you make numerous grammatical errors. If these exist in your writing it will be rejected by literary magazines or publishers. The rules of grammar, therefore, are absolutely necessary to help you progress. There are many rules but the link I have posted below is a start.
11 Essential Rules of Grammar
_________________
One Day At A Time.
His first book: http://www.amazon.com/Wetland-Other-Sto ... B00E0NVTL2
His second book: https://www.amazon.com/COMMONER-VAGABON ... oks&sr=1-2
His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/
It takes a lot of practice. A first attempt probably won’t go far, but would be a learning experience.
Post your story somewhere, some blogging place, then give us a link in this thread. I’m sure there’s tons of places where
you can do that. Just be sure to pick a format that doesn’t makes the visitor sign in. That would certainly drive me away.
I started looking around in this “Art, Writing, and Music” forum for what others have done,
but you can do that as well as I can.
Writing can be good therapy for you, even if you never get published.
11 Essential Rules of Grammar
what kinds of errors have you noticed? whichever the case, my book does not have too many errors as I have looked it over several times. And, I have had sections of it read by a very trustworthy freind, he reads alot of books and knows how they work quite well. So, it shouldn't have any serious errors if a guy who loves books and knows them well thinks it's good.
Post your story somewhere, some blogging place, then give us a link in this thread. I’m sure there’s tons of places where
you can do that. Just be sure to pick a format that doesn’t makes the visitor sign in. That would certainly drive me away.
I started looking around in this “Art, Writing, and Music” forum for what others have done,
but you can do that as well as I can.
Writing can be good therapy for you, even if you never get published.
Hmm... I honestly don't know of any, and I'm worried about people stealing my work. are there sites that protect ones blogs from being stolen?
Post your story somewhere, some blogging place, then give us a link in this thread. I’m sure there’s tons of places where
you can do that. Just be sure to pick a format that doesn’t makes the visitor sign in. That would certainly drive me away.
I started looking around in this “Art, Writing, and Music” forum for what others have done,
but you can do that as well as I can.
Writing can be good therapy for you, even if you never get published.
Hmm... I honestly don't know of any, and I'm worried about people stealing my work. are there sites that protect ones blogs from being stolen?
Very few people will ever write anything even worth stealing when they first start. It takes time and serious effort to write something that is good.
For what it's worth, if it were me, instead of trying to start with a novel, I'd start with little descriptive pieces to learn how to create a mood or define a character.
For example, something like a page or two description of early afternoon in your local park. The colors. The sounds. The mood. Descriptions of the other people in the park. What are they thinking? Why are they there? What kind of work do they do? What kind of pets do they have? Where do they live? Are they messy? Are they dependable? How do they get along with their family? Their neighbors?
Do one every morning and post it in a blog. Invite criticism. Don't worry about someone stealing it.
You have to learn to walk before you can run.
Post your story somewhere, some blogging place, then give us a link in this thread. I’m sure there’s tons of places where
you can do that. Just be sure to pick a format that doesn’t makes the visitor sign in. That would certainly drive me away.
I started looking around in this “Art, Writing, and Music” forum for what others have done,
but you can do that as well as I can.
Writing can be good therapy for you, even if you never get published.
Hmm... I honestly don't know of any, and I'm worried about people stealing my work. are there sites that protect ones blogs from being stolen?
Very few people will ever write anything even worth stealing when they first start. It takes time and serious effort to write something that is good.
For what it's worth, if it were me, instead of trying to start with a novel, I'd start with little descriptive pieces to learn how to create a mood or define a character.
For example, something like a page or two description of early afternoon in your local park. The colors. The sounds. The mood. Descriptions of the other people in the park. What are they thinking? Why are they there? What kind of work do they do? What kind of pets do they have? Where do they live? Are they messy? Are they dependable? How do they get along with their family? Their neighbors?
Do one every morning and post it in a blog. Invite criticism. Don't worry about someone stealing it.
You have to learn to walk before you can run.
Well I have been writeing for several years... I've wrote several different storys, and I think I've finally began the right one. this is the first story that I've been afriad to share on the internet. anyway, I just got google plus, which aparrently has a feature called "Blogger" which seems like a good choice to post blogs of my work.
Okay. Let's have a look at this post -
what kinds of errors have you noticed? whichever the case, my book does not have too many errors as I have looked it over several times. And, I have had sections of it read by a very trustworthy freind, he reads alot of books and knows how they work quite well. So, it shouldn't have any serious errors if a guy who loves books and knows them well thinks it's good.
1. Beginning of sentences have to be capitalized. "what" wasn't as well as "whichever."
2. "Friend" is the correct spelling, not freind.
3. Typically, you don't begin sentences with a conjunction ("And") unless you understand why it's being placed there.
4. The sentence "he reads..." begins a new idea and it should have started as its own sentence, not followed with a comma like you did.
5. "alot" is not a word. It's "a lot." Other common mistakes people make include "your" for "you're" and "you're" for "your."
6. The sentence "So, it shouldn't..." actually continues the idea before it so it didn't need to begin as a new sentence.
I chose to look at this post, BTW, because your first post would've taken me all night to correct. Please, the rules of grammar are your friend. You asked for help and I can help.
_________________
One Day At A Time.
His first book: http://www.amazon.com/Wetland-Other-Sto ... B00E0NVTL2
His second book: https://www.amazon.com/COMMONER-VAGABON ... oks&sr=1-2
His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/
Last edited by redrobin62 on 01 Apr 2013, 11:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
what kinds of errors have you noticed? whichever the case, my book does not have too many errors as I have looked it over several times. And, I have had sections of it read by a very trustworthy freind, he reads alot of books and knows how they work quite well. So, it shouldn't have any serious errors if a guy who loves books and knows them well thinks it's good.
1. Beginning of sentences have to be capitalized. "what" wasn't as well as "whichever."
2. "Friend" is the correct spelling, not friend.
3. Typically, you don't begin sentences with a conjunction ("And") unless you understand why it's being place there.
4. The sentence "he reads..." begins a new idea and it should have started as its own sentence, not followed with a comma like you did.
5. "alot" is not a word. It's "a lot." Other common mistakes people make include "your" for "you're" and "you're" for "your."
6. The sentence "So, it shouldn't..." actually continues the idea before it so it didn't need to begin as a new sentence.
I chose to look at this post, BTW, because your first post would've taken me all night to correct. Please, the rules of grammar are your friend. You asked for help and I can help.
I tried to say that my book doesn't have those errors... when I post on here I don't worry too much about grammer, but when I write my book I make sure to avoid such errors and fix any that show up.
Thanks for clearing that up. That said, I'd still like to take a look at your writing. (Yes, I'm a skeptic).
_________________
One Day At A Time.
His first book: http://www.amazon.com/Wetland-Other-Sto ... B00E0NVTL2
His second book: https://www.amazon.com/COMMONER-VAGABON ... oks&sr=1-2
His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/
what kinds of errors have you noticed? whichever the case, my book does not have too many errors as I have looked it over several times. And, I have had sections of it read by a very trustworthy freind, he reads alot of books and knows how they work quite well. So, it shouldn't have any serious errors if a guy who loves books and knows them well thinks it's good.
1. Beginning of sentences have to be capitalized. "what" wasn't as well as "whichever."
2. "Friend" is the correct spelling, not friend.
3. Typically, you don't begin sentences with a conjunction ("And") unless you understand why it's being place there.
4. The sentence "he reads..." begins a new idea and it should have started as its own sentence, not followed with a comma like you did.
5. "alot" is not a word. It's "a lot." Other common mistakes people make include "your" for "you're" and "you're" for "your."
6. The sentence "So, it shouldn't..." actually continues the idea before it so it didn't need to begin as a new sentence.
I chose to look at this post, BTW, because your first post would've taken me all night to correct. Please, the rules of grammar are your friend. You asked for help and I can help.
I tried to say that my book doesn't have those errors... when I post on here I don't worry too much about grammer, but when I write my book I make sure to avoid such errors and fix any that show up.
I would think that writing well would become habitual in all of an author's writing. Even then, it can take a great number of work to get it just perfect. I remember reading that Hemingway read and edited The Old Man and The Sea something like 100 times before he was happy with it.
I think I could post some side-storys on that blogger thing google plus has...
http://dustblogforstuff.blogspot.com/
Ok, I'm just starting out with this... But I plan to post some of my work on here, such as writeing storys and stuff...
See what I mean? "writeing" is spelled "writing" and "storys" is spelled "stories." These are rudimentary errors. For people to take your blog seriously, if that's what you want, it should read something like:
Ok. I'm just starting out with this but I plan to post some of my work here such as writing and stuff.
_________________
One Day At A Time.
His first book: http://www.amazon.com/Wetland-Other-Sto ... B00E0NVTL2
His second book: https://www.amazon.com/COMMONER-VAGABON ... oks&sr=1-2
His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/
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