How to start writing a book, if there is a desire, but lack of willpower? Where to look for inspiration, so as not to abandon the job? We will answer these questions with practical advice and show you how to begin the work in order to finish it exactly.
How to learn to write books
Just write
No matter where to start writing books, the main thing is to do it. Perhaps right now or after reading the article. Let then these lines will become the middle, a fragment of the dream of the protagonist or will not enter the book at all. The first sentences - this is the beginning, a clue that motivates to continue the story further.
It is not necessary to edit anything at this stage, and even less to delete it. Any material can be useful. You can save them by creating a folder called "Archive" and placing in it all the literary "sketches".
Do not look for ideal conditions.
What does a home-based writer look like? What should be his office, the atmosphere? Some argue that for such a thing you need to have a structured corner with a minimum number of distracting objects. Others believe that the environment should be extraordinary, romantic or perhaps even mystical - an abandoned cabin in the forest, a house on the beach, a tent high in the mountains. But actually this is just a picture!
Representing her, we strive for the perfect place, time, circumstances, condition. At the same time, we believe that our conditions are not suitable for creative activity. But behind the veil of romance, we do not see the other side of the coin - there is no electricity high in the mountains, a wild beast can peep into an abandoned hut, and malicious mosquitoes can expect us on the seashore.
There is no perfect place for writing. You can start writing a book right now - be it a lecture at the institute, a trip to the subway or an evening walk.
Invent rituals
Many famous writers have said that it can be difficult for them to plunge into work. It can distract everything - the ticking of the clock, the cat's meowing, pedestrians, shuffling with their feet, their own cough and much more. In order to penetrate the text and dive into the working atmosphere, everyone comes up with a ritual for himself, which marks the beginning of working time - some turn off the phone, others make coffee, and others - put on ear plugs.
Michael Lewis, the author of many bestsellers, admitted that he had found a sure way to prevent the outside world from interfering in his creative lair. It includes a playlist with the same songs, the sound of which does not stop. In order to write books and not be distracted, you need to come up with certain rituals for yourself.
Get rid of fear
The authors admit that they feel the pressure of time. This happens when the clock hand is not ticking slowly, but the sheet that is in front of your eyes remains clean. To get rid of or warn yourself of this sensation, you need to develop the ability to write books without fear. How to do it? With a timer.
Setting it to 10 minutes, you need to start working on the text. The main task at this stage is not to think that the timer will make itself felt.
These 10 minutes is desirable to spend without criticism, psychos, panic. You need to dive into the work, not thinking about the result. To tune in, it is important not to be distracted by reading additional literature, not to seek information, not to reflect. If on some episode comprehends a stupor, you can skip it and go to another. The timer will ring - it is inevitable. But it is he who is the stimulator of the working process, a reminder of the impending deadline. In the future, it can be wound up for a longer time.
Develop writing skills
The scale of the work ahead may be intimidating. This thoroughly slows down the process, leading to a dejected mood. "I want to write a book, but I do not know how to do it!" - Beginning authors say bewildered.
To be confident in your abilities, you need to gain experience, starting with small. For example, to engage in the development of the ability to describe what is happening.
For example, one of the exercises that helps develop writing skills and gives a hint how to start writing a book.
Practical exercise
You should look out the window and fix what you see: the weather, the landscape, people passing by. In general, everything that gets in your eyes. And now, following a specific algorithm, start work:
- News - two lines; information about the place of the event and the topic of the story.
- The essence of the news is five lines; the story that preceded the event; The main goal is to interest the reader.
- The news status is five lines; the story of what is happening now;
- The effects of the news are four lines; reflections on what this news has led to, how it has influenced the course of events surrounding.
This structure is not a canon, it can be modified or adapted for another writing task. The main thing is to learn how to write a book in a structured, consistent, logical way.
Use board with cards
This reception, which was proposed by screenwriter Blake Snyder, is hastily practiced by both young authors who want to learn how to write books and the writing gurus.
It consists in creating a board from scrap materials and hanging it on the wall. Next you need to make small cards (conditionally) with episodes, characters, events of the future text. They may not be interconnected, illogical, contradictory. It is necessary to fix everything that I would like to see in my future work.
With the help of clerical buttons need to attach to the board. This should be done erratically, without thinking. There is a possibility that in this way the most successful combination from all possible is formed.
Cards can be shuffled, interchanged, pondering the sequence, looking for possible ways or adding something. This is the creative process that brings inspiration.
How to start writing a book
Why is it so important to start your book properly and beautifully? Because readers are picky people. If they are not interested in the first chapters, making the story an alluring drug, then there is a chance that the book will be postponed for a long time. So what should be the beginning?
Main landmarks:
- Dynamics is the first law of an interesting beginning. Long description of the landscape or reflection is better to save for later. Dialogue, movements, actions, comic or intriguing remarks of the characters will give dynamics and make the pages turn over, delving into the plot.
- The start should not be heavy or “heavy.” With the death of the main character, the reader will be ready to meet in the final. The same goes for problems. It is better for them to appear in the second chapter, when there will be a holistic view of the characters. Then their fate will be really interesting.
- How to write a book to hook the reader? Add intrigue, nebulae that you want to clarify. Why did the heroine decide to take an institute? What is she trying to hide by wearing a wig?
- The initial episodes are just one of the links in the overall chain of events. They have to contact the rest of the events, the final.
- The main mistake that the authors make at this stage is that the episodes are written to warm up in order to “sign”. But it is important to fully reveal the character of the hero, so that later the reader could understand why he had these problems.
We talked about how to start writing a book and organize yourself to finish it. Follow our advice, listen to your desires, learn to work - and inspiration will come by itself!
